Fantasy Junction

Description

1955 Porsche 356 Speedster
Chassis Number – 81085
Engine Number – 717327
Exterior Color – Base metal
Interior Color – Green
Engine Type – 4-cylinder air cooled
Gearbox – 4-Speed manual transaxle

Marque and Model History

For more than seven decades, performance enthusiasts throughout the world have engaged in the Porsche ownership experience. Built to race and raced to win, by the early 1950’s Porsche cars were making their mark in America when distributor Max Hoffman asked Porsche to develop a sports car that could compete against lower priced Triumphs and MGs. Porsche set out to build a car with essential performance traits, sparse features, and unprecedented reliability. The result was the now iconic Porsche 356 Speedster; a name that continues to imbue performance and excitement.

The Speedster was uniquely outfitted with a lowered windscreen, no side glass, minimal trim, and performance components, all of which culminated in surprisingly strong sales, particularly in the United States, where year after year, Speedsters won the hearts of racers and enthusiasts alike. Today the remarkable 356 Speedster still holds a leading position as a premiere vintage Porsche, not only amongst enthusiasts but frequently cited by historians, designers, and motorsports journalists as one of the most influential sports cars of the twentieth century.

History of this Car

This 356 Speedster exhibits all the wonderful features and aesthetic charm that lured so many enthusiasts into purchase when offered new in 1955. Though the early history of this car is not known at this time, it is known to have been preserved by an earlier owner from the 1960s-2021 stored in a San Francisco basement. Preserved using Gibbs Oil, the car purchased by the current owner in 2024. Although the original engine and gearbox were separated from the car many years ago, the bare metal body retained the matching engine lid and front trunk lid both of which are stamped with the numbers 085 which match the chassis number for this Speedster.

Originally delivered as a white over red late series 1955 Speedster 1600, it is now powered by a 1720cc big bore C motor with 40 mm Solex carburetors and a dual mount C gearbox. Both the engine and gearbox were built by Vic Skirmants, 356 Enterprises approximately 10 years ago. In addition to the uprated engine and gearbox, the suspension was also modified to fit 356A style mounting points which improve shock travel. The brakes were also updated with 40mm drums, a later series ZF steering box, and a set of Technomagnesio alloy wheels with Vredestein Sprint tires.

The interior remains essentially stock but has been recently reupholstered by Thomas Pocius, San Diego, CA using Evergreen vinyl with Cream piping, matching dark green binding with pale green carpet, and a pair of double locking drop down seat frames with welded hinges with fiberglass Speedster style seat shells. A handsome and rarely seen original Glaspar hardtop has been restored by Fibersteel, Azusa, CA adding the perfect vintage touch to this unique and special Speedster.

In June 2024, Scott’s Independent, Anaheim, CA services this Speedster installing a new hood seal, new deep sump, a new muffler, and a full LED lighting kit. A complete service was also performed including fluids, filters, new valve cover and strainer gaskets, valve adjustment, carb adjustments and timing, and tightening all suspension bolts.

General Overview

Today this beautiful Porsche exhibits excellent patina on the bare metal finishes. The integrity of the exposed metal is both delightful and raw offering no excuses behind paint or filler. The finish has a rough and ready quality while the panel gaps and fit are excellent in all areas, opening and closing properly, particularly the doors, which shut with a distinctive and satisfying precision clasp. The early 356 hood line “smile” encircles the front storage opening flanked by correct headlights and centered Porsche lettering. The rare Glaspar top has been restored and suits the car very well with very good fit to the windshield and rear cowl. The Speedster windshield, double beehive taillights, Porsche 1600 emblems, and Speedster trim are all quintessentially Porsche yet look and feel even more authentic poised against the bare metal finish. The Technomagnesio wheels are perfectly suited to the theme. Reutter coachwork badge, Speedster script lettering, and vinyl adhesive Mobil Oil Pegasus stickers complete the exterior with a sporting touch.

The interior is beautifully finished combining raw original features with recently reupholstered materials including the correct German square weave carpeting and high-quality green vinyl expertly tailored over Speedster style seats. A pair of vintage style competition seat belts are installed. The top of the dash, door panels, and cockpit perimeter are trimmed in matching material, delivering an engaging and purposeful presence to the cockpit. The instruments are gorgeous in color and finish, with correct green indication and properly finished needles with touches of patina on various components, once again boasting authentically the raw integrity of the original Speedster theme.

The engine compartment has been faithfully restored using correct factory finishes, proper hardware and fittings, correct factory decals, hoses, wiring, and linkages. The engine is a correct later series Porsche unit which was professionally built by Vic Skirtmants along with the later C series gearbox. The quality and cleanliness of the engine is well matched to the exterior finishes maintaining the integrity of the overall appearance without fussiness. The front storage compartment reveals the correct Speedster VIN number stamped in the structural support apron here too echoing the raw metal theme.

The underside of the car is properly prepared and maintained showing signs of use but updated with newer details such as a Bendix fuel pump, new brake hoses and lines, and a new Dansk muffler.

Settling into the contoured Speedster seat, the engine kicks over immediately, warming to a smooth idle. With first gear engaged, the clutch operates with excellent travel and the updated C gearbox delivers smooth shifting, warm or cold, in all gears. The driving experience communicates all the Speedster lore from decades of history with the added rawness and grit these cars can offer when summoned from the confines of glossy floor garages and concours greens.

This Porsche is accompanied by selected service records under current ownership, one set of original convertible top bows, a second set of reproduction convertible top bows, a matching green tonneau cover, front and rear bumpers, various spare body trim, a set of windshield wipers, 2 KYB shock absorbers, and an 8k tachometer.

Historically important, beautifully designed, and continuously sought after by collectors all over the world, the iconic Porsche 356 Speedster remains as one of the most engaging sports cars ever built. This truly unique Speedster is ready to drive, participate in Porsche club events, and invite the Porsche cognoscenti to not shave for a few days, put on a t-shirt and jeans, step out of their driving loafers, hit the open road, and leave the chamois and wax at home.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608