Fantasy Junction

Description

1960 Porsche 356 Outlaw Special

Chassis Number – 88880
Engine Number – P*805431*
Exterior Color – Silver
Interior Color – Green
Engine Type – 1720cc Air-Cooled 4-cylinder (Super 90 Series)
Gearbox – 4-Speed manual transaxle
Current Mileage – 512 miles (TMU)
Current Owner – Purchased in 2021

Highlights of this Car

- Converted to Speedster with custom aluminum coachwork
- Many specialized features and uniquely crafted aluminum body panels
- Custom RSK style windscreen and custom fabricated interior

Marque and Model History

With its iconic shape and race-bred performance, the lightweight and agile 356 Porsche has been continuously sought after by enthusiasts and collectors drawn to the 356 timeless beauty, elegant engineering, and versatile performance. Though Porsche engineering and technology has evolved over decades of modern iterations, the 356 remains the ongoing subject of personal performance vision at the hands of talented craftspeople who build “outlaw” Porsches to meet their own unique set of vintage inspired specifications.

History of this Car

This car was conceived and developed by Al Lager, an IMSA and Trans Am crew chief in the 1960s and 356 Porsche racer who eventually settled into working for Denver-area Porsche collector Dr. Bill Jackson. Using a rear end damaged 356 Coupe as his starting point, Lager imagined a specially built Speedster with minimal features. Working closely with aluminum fabrication expert Tim George, George used an English wheel to fashion unique body panels and features as Lager assisted with the process. After the body panels were completed, refinements were performed at Tin Element, Loveland, CO fusing the steel front clip from the cowl forward to the aluminum rear section. With 2/3rds of the car constructed in lightweight aluminum, the former coupe body was further lightened by removing all glass and replacing the windshield with a custom-made plexiglass screen mounted on a specially made frame surrounding the perimeter of the cowl and doors.

Inside the cockpit, a pair of Recaro seats were installed and the doors were further lightened with no glass or inner mechanism and simple aluminum inner panels with minimal details. The dash was also made of aluminum and fitted with an 8k Carrera 4-cam tachometer, speedometer, oil pressure and oil temp gauge. Engine duties were addressed building a 1720cc 912 engine with JE pistons, modified two-pipe Abarth exhaust, and twin Weber carburetors. A 356 4-speed transmission with short gears was installed and the 6V electrical system retained with a newer style AGM battery fitted in a custom space fabricated in place of the older larger battery box.

Over the years of thoughtful construction, Lager constructed many of the details himself including lighter wright exterior mounted rear lid hinges, a vented engine lid tray, and leather straps for various vintage details. Although badges were minimized, Lager did include competition-based details like stone shields for the headlights, Koni shock absorbers, leather hood buckles, and a competition inspired fuel filler.

General Overview

Today this unique Porsche 356 Speedster Special presents as an imaginative statement from a man who personally lived the 356 experience as a racer and custom builder. The silver paint is glossy, smooth, and free from major flaws. The aluminum and steel body panels show generally good overall gaps and panel fit with firm latching and smooth operation when opened and closed. The lighting bezels, and perimeter windshield frame are in excellent condition including the woven metal stone guards that cover the headlights. True to the Speedster aesthetic, there is no side or rear glass, just a low-profile plexiglass windscreen that surrounds the cowl and doors, giving just enough wind deflection at high speeds to send airflow over the top of the occupants. The engine lid and rear aluminum portion of the bodywork is smoothly contoured to a bumperless rear end featuring twin chrome plated exhaust tips. A set of wider profile Porsche wheels wear Yokohama contemporary 195/60R15 radial tires. Overall, the exterior of this Speedster Special offers a very satisfying visual presence, purposeful stance, and unique hand crafting embodying the minimal aesthetic of the original 356 race cars that built the Porsche reputation for performance excellence.

The interior has been more recently and handsomely finished in contrasting traditional green leather. The doors and inner door structure are very light when opened and contain minimal features. A pair of Recaro racing style seats have been recently reupholstered with the remaining interior trimmed with matching green leather and black square weave carpet. A set of Deist lap belts are mounted. The matching silver dashboard is finished with hooded Porsche 356 green letter instrumentation centered by an 8k Carrera 4-cam tachometer and fronted by a banjo-type steering wheel with a traditional Christophorus center emblem. Under the front storage lid, the fuel tank is topped by a race inspired fuel cap, leather straps, and a modern 6V AGM battery housed in a custom surround.

The engine compartment is clean, minimal, and very tidy, featuring vintage finishes specifically selected and finished with authentic representation of original racing 356 engines. The upgraded engine is numbered P*805431*, consistent with factory designated Super 90 engines. The engine is mounted to the steel floor with the aluminum body work surrounding the steel floor pan. The underside of the car is consistent with the build history showing a sound steel floor, Koni shock absorbers, proper suspension and brakes, and very good engine and transmission housings, exhaust, and lines.

The car starts, stops, and drives with a character indicative of early Porsches. The Porsche 356C close ratio gearbox has been updated with short gears for more spirited performance. The car is licensed and titled for road use and generally feels quite spirited given the lighter weight construction and higher horsepower 912 engine. Steering and brake performance benefits from the lighter weight and acceleration is delightful especially when downshifting to pass smiling onlookers. An exhilarating ride all around with the added pleasure of driving a very special and uniquely constructed 356.

Included with the car

The car is accompanied by a tonneau cover and matching green bag and a copy of the Porsche 356 Registry magazine featuring an article on the build and history of this car.

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