Fantasy Junction

Description

1959 Porsche 356A Cabriolet by Reutter
s/n 151717, Engine no. 73265
Ivory with Ivory Hardtop and Red interior

For more than half a century, enthusiasts and collectors have continuously sought after the iconic and agile Porsche 356. And while many cars have propelled Porsche to new heights, the 356 set a standard, launching the marque into world production. Porsche began the venerable 356 series as their first foray into sports car production. With much of their success in racing, the world would soon see that Porsche was a sports car company to be reckoned with. Upon its release, the 356A became one of the most sought after Porsches, exhibiting the finest craftsmanship and engineering, particularly in these early cars. Thoughtfully designed and sporty, the 356A offered customers high quality, value, reliability, and mechanical robustness that would define the Porsche brand in the coming decades. Today the 356 series cars further entice collectors to seek out these capable and beautiful sports cars for the same reasons enthusiasts purchased them when new.

According to the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, this example was completed March 6,1959 and delivered to Son Auto in Paris. The car was finished in Ivory/5704, departing the factory with engine number 73265, which it retains today, having been recently rebuilt to a proper standard. The car has been in the western states of the USA most recently under the care of two consecutive Utah owners and, for the past two years, in Washington State. The current owner purchased the car and drove it from Salt Lake City to Monterey for the Rennsport Reunion in 2015, then returned to Seattle. The entire trip concluded without incident, much to the delight of the owner. The original engine was recently rebuilt and the new owner reports it has covered approximately 5,000 miles since the rebuild and professional installation. During the past two years, several details have been tended to on this cabriolet, refining it for enjoyable road use, as was originally intended – with spirited driving in mind. Recently, the current owner has replaced the rear shocks with Boge type units, rebuilt the generator, rebuilt the rear brake drums, and tidied several cosmetic items to complete the overall mechanical and aesthetic presentation. The car comes with a very nice hardtop and a correct factory soft top frame in unrestored condition. The current soft top fabric will need to be replaced.

Cosmetically this Cabriolet presents very nicely as a quality driver with very presentable glossy ivory paint. The body is solid with excellent door closures, very good hood fit (the original hood still boasting the correct original hinge number), and deck lid fit. The exterior trim is consistent with the body and paint presentation, being very nice for driving use and enjoyable for casual shows or events. The glass and lenses are in good to very good condition overall with no notable cracks or scratches of significance. Chrome trim is very nice in many areas with some evidence of marginal wear in a few selected places. While not pictured, the hard top chrome deco strip is included with the sale. The wheels are properly painted in silver metallic with nice chrome wheel covers.

The interior has recently benefited from new seat covers, which were done in a very high quality material with excellent fitting and seam lines. The remaining interior materials are very presentable, again for enjoyable use, appearing to be either very nicely maintained original materials or correctly redone. The instruments and dash are also very nice with clean and clear faces and numbers, along with the correct steering wheel and proper inner horn ring and Porsche center emblem. The Blaupunkt radio is in place but does not currently function.

The engine compartment has been restored with proper finishes and components including correct air cleaners, proper ignition and coil, and various factory decals. Fit and finish in the engine compartment is very nice, once again prepared to a very nice driver quality with particular care being given to originality. As is common to many Porsches of this era, the underside of this example has been subject to selective corrosion repairs as necessary over the years, but is solid at this time. The underside of the engine compartment is clean and tidy and speaks well of the recently rebuilt engine, suspension and general care of the car.

This 356A is very well sorted mechanically with excellent engine sounds and throttle response. Starting very easily, the original engine beguiles more than half a century of age with a flick of the key and a burst of energy inviting you to the open road. The engine sound is quite nice, making great power, suggesting that the rebuild might have leaned toward “Super” specifications, now offering additional and welcome power. Steering is very nice, tight, and responsive as are the brakes and suspension, due in part to the new rear shocks, which make a big difference in the cornering capabilities of 356s. The car shifts, runs, and drives very well, delivering agility and confidence one seldom finds in cars of this age. You could, much as the current owner has done in the past, drive quite a distance with no doubts regarding the performance or reliability of this Cabriolet.

Offered with recent repair records and receipts, Porsche COA, some tools, an original drivers manual, a complete set of original and duplicate keys, and a beautifully fitting factory hardtop, this 356A Cabriolet is ready for open road touring and enjoyment just in time for the summer on any open highway or back canyon road.

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