Vehicle Details

• Year: 1952
• Make: Porsche
• Model: 356
• VIN: 10266
• Mileage Shown: 5,775mi (TMU)
• Transmission: Manual
• Title Status: Clean
• Color: Silver
• Seller Type: Dealer
• Dealer Fees: None
• Location: Bon Aqua, TN 37025
• Country: United States of America
• Lot #: V-0062483

This highly sought-after 1952 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 “Split Window” Cabriolet was completed on April 22, 1952, and delivered through Max Hoffman in New York. Reported to be the fourth from the last “Split Window” Cabriolet produced, this example, chassis #10266, was originally finished in Sand Grey over Red leather. It has since been refinished in silver over a reupholstered interior and upgraded with an improved synchromesh transmission. Factory specifications include a Telefunken radio, an antenna, Comfort Seats, a cooling ring, ventilated wheels, a tachometer, an odometer, and reinforced bumpers, as documented on the accompanying Porsche Certificate of Authenticity. Registered in California since the 1960s, this exceptionally rare 356 was acquired by the seller in Tennessee approximately one year ago and is now being offered for auction out of Tennessee.

This early Reutter-bodied 356 can be identified by its smoother front fascia, raised headlights, and signature split windscreen design. Further distinguishing this example are its export-only reinforced bumpers, a feature specific to U.S.-market units imported by Max Hoffman. It was reportedly refinished in silver from its original Sand Grey (527) during the 1980s. Under the seller’s ownership, a new convertible top in the correct brown color was installed using the most authentic materials available, along with a new rear window, window frame, sun visors, and multiple rubber gaskets sourced from Reinhold Plank. In recent weeks, the car underwent a complete wet-sand and paint correction, and new, correct four-piece door seals and a new hood seal were installed. Older tires are fitted, and a collection of detailed images is provided in the gallery.

Since the seller’s acquisition, the cabin has been reupholstered in red leather, with a headliner sourced from Germany. The car came with numerous original parts collected over the years, including the correct rearview mirror and dome light, which were fully restored by Victor Miles and properly installed on the center bar. Interior features include a Telefunken radio, antenna, Comfort Seats, Veigel instrumentation, a white-painted banjo-style steering wheel, and Coco floor mats. The seller notes that North Hollywood Speedometer restored the gauges approximately 15 years ago and set the odometer to zero. While the radio is original to the car, it powers on but does not produce sound.

This example was factory-equipped with a 1500cc Type 527 flat-four engine, which was since been replaced with a later 1952 356 1500-sourced Type 546 four-cam engine upgraded to S, or “Super,” specification. The rear wheels are driven through an upgraded replacement 4-speed manual synchromesh transmission. The engine was fully rebuilt approximately 5k miles ago, and a complete brake system overhaul was performed at that time, with receipts provided in the gallery.

This sale will include a clean title, a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, a copy of the Kardex, and service records.

The seller would like you to know: “For your consideration is this extremely rare and unique California Black Plate registered 1952 Porsche 356 ‘Split Windshield’ Cabriolet, chassis 10266. Built April 22, 1952, this was the 4th from the last split window Cabriolet made. Original US delivery car, through Max Hoffman, and delivered with Interim bumpers. One of only 40 US-delivered split window cabs, and according to the registry, there are fewer than 10 still in existence. The Kardex and the COA confirm that this Split Cab was delivered with factory equipment, including a Telefunken Radio, Antenna, Comfort Seats, Vented wheels, Cooling rings, Reinforced bumpers, a Tachometer, and a Speedometer. Unlike most other split window 356s, chassis 10266 still retains much of its originality. One of the most notable features is its original floor. The undercarriage is 73 years old and mostly untouched. A very honest example, rock-solid with only minimal corrosion. This could be one of the few cars that still have their original floors and have not seen a ‘full’ restoration. Other original details include the door panels, rear interior side panels, switchgear, and many small lights, lenses, and trim.

Since acquiring 10266 in a trade deal one year ago, we have done the following: had the front and rear seats recovered in carefully sourced leather that very closely matches the original red leather features still in the car. We had a new top installed with the most correct materials we could source and in the correct Brown color. The headliner was sourced in Germany while the top was hand-made here in the US. When we received the car, it came with a lot of parts that had been gathered over the years for the car. A new rear window, window frame, sun visor, and many rubber gaskets. were sourced from Reinhold Plank. The correct rear-view mirror and dome light were also included. These have been fully restored by Victor Miles. We had them properly installed on the center bar. In the last couple of weeks, we had the car completely wet sanded/paint corrected, installed the correct 4-piece door seals, and installed a new hood seal. The top, interior, paint correction, and some corrected details combine for a huge overall improvement in the cars aesthetic.

Here is a quick writeup regarding the history of the car taken from the previous owner: ‘Not much is known about the early history in the 1950s and 1960s, but it does have California Black plates and has been registered in California since the 1960s. In the mid-1970s, 1970s this 356 was advertised in the Los Angeles Times and purchased by a California Highway Patrol officer who also had a 1952 356 Coupe. In the late 1980s, the 356 was purchased by an avid Volkswagen Bus collector who worked with Tom Birch, a leader in the 356 split window registry and a key figure in helping preserve the early cars. Birch helped with the mechanics and installation of a new wiring harness. In the late 1990s, the 356 changed hands again and ended up at Victor Miles's shop for some light restoration work.’

The previous owner that we obtained the car from purchased 10266 in Redwood City, CA, in 2008. He spent a lot of time and money getting the car back on its feet. In 2011, the engine was professionally rebuilt by Dave Merz in Santa Rosa, CA, to Super specs. Brakes and all systems were gone through at that time as well. All receipts for the work completed are included in the sale. Roughly 5,000 miles have been put on the car since the car was brought back to life. Gauges were restored by North Hollywood Speedometer. Etc. This split window cab is ready to be enjoyed. We have added roughly 400 miles under our ownership. The car will come with a service history file, a clean CA title, and BOTH original CA Black plates (front not pictured), which are still current and date back to the late 60’s! Porsche COA, a copy of the Kardex, and many receipts, including the engine rebuild, are included with the car."

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Seller: Nichemotors 

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