Fantasy Junction

Description

1960 Porsche 356 Super 90 \"Automotion Roadster\"
Chassis no. 88078 Engine no.*741932*
Light Blue with Black Interior

Among Porsche enthusiasts, there is a never ending debate about which model is the ultimate open 356. The Speedster has long been regarded as the most collectible, and does enjoy a certain purity of line that is very attractive, however the later Convertible D and B Roadster enjoy functional and mechanical updates that make the cars more pleasurable to use in the real world. Thus, enthusiasts wishing to enjoy their cars will be attracted to the 356B Roadster

This particular car was sold new in San Diego, California and was driven aggressively for the first 25,000 miles by its owner, who then gladly sold it to his mechanic. The mechanic drove the car around for a while and had plans on rebuilding it but had to sell it after getting drafted into the war. The mechanic sold the car to Dieter Vongehr, a well-known San Diego Porsche shop owner. He drove it for a short while, but when the engine failed, he replaced it with a later 356C engine. At that time he also installed a set of C disc brakes. In 1967 Riverside while testing the car with racing tires, Vongehr overcooked it and flipped the car, resulting in considerable damage. He ended up purchasing the car from his insurance company and pulled out the drivetrain, and planned on selling what he could. Enter Dick Barbour.

Barbour, whose successful racing career found him behind the wheels of Porsche 934s and 935s in IMSA as well as international competition, had partnered with Vongehr to create the Porsche parts and accessories business called Automotion. Mr. Barbour wanted to start racing in SCCA, and realized the damaged 356 Roadster would be the perfect starting platform. He repaired the body, mounted a later twin-grille engine lid which improved engine cooling, installed a new racing motor. Winning the first race he entered, Barbour went on to capture the San Diego Region SCCA's E/Production points title in 1968.

The next year, Dick Barbour decided to moved up to a Porsche 904 and the roadster was sold to Don Trueblood, who was located in San Diego as well. Trueblood raced the car periodically but, his business eventually forced him to put the Porsche into storage. That brief storage turned into 30 years and then it was decided that the car should go to a new home. The car was then sold to Nick Clemence, who owns European Collectables. He intended to clean it up for vintage racing. Since the engine had been sold earlier, Clemence installed another motor and went through the gearbox and brakes. Clemence had to sell the car, due to another project.

The car was sold to Mark Powell and shipped to restoration experts Gary and Rod Emory in McMinnville, Oregon, who gave it a complete disassembly and mechanical overhaul. Arthur Conner built a fresh 1620cc engine on a 912 case, using a SCAT crankshaft, Carillo rods, and Shasta pistons. The gearbox is a modified 741 with altered ratios. The suspension features dropped spindles and larger rear torsion bars. A fire suppression system has been installed, along with a FuelSafe fuel bladder. The car's patina had to be preserved, so the old paint was sprayed with clearcoat. The car was featured in Excellence magazine in 2004. The car has appeared at a number of West Coast vintage events. Powell recently replaced the car's 356C disc brakes with period-correct drums to maintain eligibility for the Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The car comes with the extremely rare Meinhart steel factory-option hardtop that Don Trueblood bought in Germany, and two binders which includes documentation, research and magazine articles.

This is an excellent opportunity to own a piece of Porsche race history with this well-preserved racecar that has ties with one of America's premier Porsche racing drivers, and would be a welcomed sight at any vintage racing event in the country.

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