Fantasy Junction

Description

1956 Porsche 356 Speedster
s/n 82660, engine no. P*62798*
Black with Red Leatherette with Black Piping

Exceptional engineering, iconic design, and remarkable motorsports leadership have all contributed to making Porsche a premier automotive performance manufacturer. Although their humble and cost-conscious beginnings were the foundation of the Porsche brand, they developed into an uncompromised motorsports and production sportscar leader, delivering the highest level of quality and excellence. By the early 1950’s Porsche cars were making their mark in America when distributor Max Hoffman asked Porsche to develop a sportscar to compete against lower priced Triumphs and MGs. Porsche responded, building a car with essential performance traits, sparse features, and unprecedented reliability. The result was the now iconic Porsche 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 twentieth century.

This 356 Speedster is an excellent example of how visually intoxicating these cars can be. Finished in stunning black over red, this Porsche has been under long term California and New Mexico ownership dating back to the 1980s. Benefiting from dry climate, the 2016 restoration began by media blasting the paint using walnut shell in order to gently remove the paint without damaging the original body. Minimal rust was found after media blasting, making it possible to retain 90% of the factory original sheet metal and body panels, while professionally addressing the small rust areas, according to the owner. With proper metal work completed, the body surfacing and paint finish were completed using PPG products, including a PPG single stage paint for the gleaming black finish. Originally delivered from the factory in red with black interior, the owner decided to reverse the colors to create this dramatic result. During the restoration, every effort was made to remove and carefully recondition as many original parts rather than use reproduction parts, resulting in excellent fit of the original parts to the factory sheet metal in addition to retaining the originality of the car.

Addressing the mechanical systems in the car, all areas were carefully reviewed and comprehensively restored to a high level of finish with some upgraded allowances to make this Speedster an excellent driving car. A correct date range 1600cc engine (#62798) replaced the original and was comprehensively rebuilt using a B crank, B rods, C camshaft with 912 lifters, 1720 cc JE pistons, 9:1 compression ratio, and Super heads. The carburetor venturis were bored to 28mm and re-jetted for better fuel flow and throttle response. A later series ZF gearbox was rebuilt with coupe gearing (BBBC) which greatly favors highway driving. During the restoration, the wiring harness was removed and a new one installed with conversion to 12-volt system.

Upon completion, this beautiful Speedster was shown at the following venues achieving awards consistent with the excellent workmanship and attention to detail befitting a restoration of this caliber.

2018 First in Class and Best of Show
356 North Meets South, San Luis Obispo, CA

2018 Finished Second Overall
Tie breaker against 20 356 models
Werks Reunion, Monterey, CA

2017 First of all Speedsters and Second Overall
Ocean Avenue Concours, Carmel. CA

Today this Speedster presents in dramatic black over red with excellent finishes throughout. The finish is glossy, smoothly applied, and has excellent depth. There are no significant visible paint flaws, just a few very minor blemishes evident upon closer examination at the front of the car. The quality of the paint is not only well done, the body lines and reflections are exceptional, particularly in highly reflective black. 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 and show excellent fit even at the bottom cut lines, which again speaks well of the original sheet metal having been preserved and properly restored. The original engine lid and hood are stamped with the matching numbers and both panels fit very nicely to the original body. The characteristic 356 “smile” encircling the hood opening surrounds the fascia with delightful symmetry. Glass, lenses, double beehive tail lights, emblems, and trim are all quintessentially Porsche and restored to a very high level in both fit and finish, further supporting the high quality of the restoration. The gleaming smooth chrome-domed hubcaps accent against correctly painted silver wheels shod with a set of Vredestein Sprint Classic tires. The painted bumpers and polished gold Speedster script lettering complete the exterior with a befitting dash of performance elegance.

The interior is beautifully finished with correct materials including proper weave carpeting and high-quality red leatherette expertly tailored over correct Speedster seats. The seats are finished with black piping carefully outlining the seat perimeter, bolstered with correct padding and proper fit to the uniquely contoured Speedster seats. The top of the dash, door panels, and cockpit perimeter are trimmed in red leatherette as well, delivering a competition feel to the interior. The red dash pad over the gloss black fascia contributes to the unique and purposeful look. The instruments are gorgeous in color and finish, having been faithfully restored with correct green indication, excellent color, and proper needles. As mentioned before, the ivory colored interior components are just a few of the original pieces retained during the restoration, including the gearshift knob, various switch knobs, and door handle escutcheons all of which are handsomely hued to reflect years of loving use. The elegant and clean dashboard is finished off with a handsome wood rimmed Fiat Nardi period correct steering wheel, according to the owner, with polished aluminum spokes and a gleaming Porsche center crest emblem. The ribbed black rubber floor mat shows only minor use. Throughout the interior, all materials offer a unified appearance and excellent fit and finish further supported by the awards bestowed on this Speedster since the 2016 restoration was completed.

The engine compartment continues the theme of excellence having been faithfully restored using correct factory finishes, proper hardware and fittings, correct factory decals, hoses, wiring, and linkages. The engine has been fitted with correct details but upgraded internally for improved performance and durability. Attention to detail extends to the proper finishes on the raw engine castings and correctly painted components, all of which are showing virtually no evidence of use. Under the front storage compartment, the correct Speedster VIN number is stamped in the structural support apron. Finishes in the front compartment are factory correct and nicely executed including a matching Vredestein Sprint Classic spare tire and rim, properly strapped in place, accompanied by a tool roll and tools. The transmission gearing has been changed to a 356 Coupe (BBBC) gearing. The underside of the car is further reflective of the high-quality restoration executed with originality in mind including correct finishes and components, excellent engine and gearbox castings, and proper suspension and brake components. There is no evidence of structural compromise or significant metal work performed on the floor pan, supporting the long-term dry climate ownership dating back to the 1980s.

This beautiful Speedster starts reliably and easily, settling into a smooth idle, as it warms to operating temperatures. Easing into the Speedster seats, the car captures you, pulling you into the chassis, immediately connecting you to the car. The gearbox operates wonderfully up and down with smooth synchros, warm or cold and excellent clutch travel. Driving position is just right even for taller drivers, hunkered down but with great visibility. The car accelerates swiftly with excellent road composure and overall ride quality. The driving experience communicates all the pleasure and satisfaction that a properly restored 356 is capable of offering, with the added confidence of the original body construction. The properly jetted carburetors deliver snappy response as the revs climb progressively without hesitation or misfire. Braking is very capable in modern traffic under a firm, tall pedal with symmetrical tracking. The car comes with a tool roll and tools which are 95% original.

Beautifully designed and sought after by collectors all over the world, the iconic Porsche 356 Speedster remains one of the most engaging sports cars of the modern era. With its quintessential looks, stunning colors, and high-quality restoration, this award-winning Porsche 356 Speedster is ready to deliver further years of Porsche excellence and superlative driving enjoyment.

This Speedster is titled as a 1957 year model.

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.

Inquire About This Car

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