1956 Porsche 356 Speedster
●. Engineering – The lightweight ‘giant killer’- functional, essential, carefully, and beautifully built.
+ Design – Simple, clean, functional.
= Passion – The racer you could drive to the track on Sunday and the office on Monday.
Nick bought this 356 Speedster new, along with what is now a very rare matching hardtop. Living in California, Nick must have never needed to use that hardtop, as it has never been mounted onto the car – essentially a new old stock part. The car is completely original except for paintwork on the right door and some small touchups done in the 1970s.
Nick was a member of the SCCA, and subscribed to Competition Press and attended races, though we have no evidence he ever raced but it was a keen interest. The racer you could drive to the track on Sunday and the office on Monday! For every automobile enthusiast, Porsche is a brand that has always been able to tailor their products to various environments and usages.
The Porsche 356 was produced between 1948 and 1965, and was offered in a two-door coupe, convertible, roadster, and speedster options. Having been Porsches’ first production automobile, only 76,000 were made, and approximately half survived. Since it rolled off the factory line in 1954, the 356 Speedster has become one of the most desirable collectors’ models to date. Original speedster prices were just under $3000 MSRP.
By the early 1950s, the 356 had gained some renown among enthusiasts on both sides of the Atlantic for its aerodynamics, handling, and ‘giant killer’ traits. Increasing success with its racing and road cars brought Porsche orders for over 10,000 units in 1964, and by the time 356 production ended in 1965 approximately 76,000 had been produced. While these cars were structurally sound yet extremely light, it was the build quality that set these cars apart from other small sports cars of the period. The cars were carefully and beautifully put together by hand, and the result was one of the most durable and reliable sports cars of the time.
A rather light weight car, it was built of a unibody construction. Additionally, Porsche designers decided to build the 356's air-cooled pushrod OHV flat-four around the engine case they had originally designed for the Volkswagen Beetle. With its low, raked windscreen, bucket seats and minimal folding top, the Speedster was an instant hit. Other notable features of the car include a large two-spoke steering wheel, and leather adorned door panels with matching upper dashboard.
356 Specifications
Engine: 1500 CC Air Cooled OHV Flat Four
Horsepower: 100 @ 6200 RPM
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
Current Mileage: 10,000 miles from new
Top speed: 120 MPH
