The Porsche 356A was introduced in the 1956 model year as a more refined successor to the original Porsche 356 (Pre-A), featuring improvements in its braking and suspension, a new single-piece curved glass windshield, and a range of five four-cylinder engine options for the customer to choose from. This launch-year 356A Coupe was completed on August 31st, 1956, and factory-finished in Polyantha Red. It was purchased by the current owner in 1985 and has been fitted with a replacement 1,600cc engine as well as a custom red and black bucket seats. Benefitting from recent maintenance including transmission service and an engine reseal, this early 356A is now being offered for auction by its seller out of Wisconsin.
The steel bodywork of this 356A was manufactured by Reutter and factory-finished in Polyantha Red (5602). The car was reportedly subject to metal repair work followed by a full repaint in 2017. Equipment includes body-colored bumpers, chrome body moldings, a chrome bonnet handle with an inset Porsche badge, horn grilles with integrated turn signals, beehive-style taillights, a driver’s side mirror, dual exhaust outlets, a retractable antenna, and silver 15” wide-five steel wheel with bright baby moon hubcaps. The car rides on a set of Nankang radial tires.
The cabin is lined with oatmeal square-weave carpeting and features reupholstered bucket seats in black leatherette with red cloth centers. The body-colored dashboard is topped with a black leatherette pad and houses a suite of analog VDO instrument dials, a Blaupunkt AM/FM radio, an ashtray, and a locking glovebox. Other accessories include a white two-spoke steering wheel, a Porsche-crested shift knob, a folding rear bench, and a pair of lap belts included with the sale. The seller notes the turn signals function intermittently.
Sourced from a 1958 Porsche 356A, this Coupe is equipped with a replacement 1,600cc Type 616/1 flat-four engine with twin carburetors and Knecht air filters. The rear wheels are driven through a 4-speed manual transaxle and stopping power comes from hydraulic drum brakes at each corner. The seller indicates the engine was resealed along with transmission service in preparation for sale.
This sale will include a clean title and a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity.
Comments (22)
Bid in the amount of $71,000
Bid in the amount of $70,000
Bid in the amount of $64,000
Bid in the amount of $62,000
Bid in the amount of $61,000
Bid in the amount of $60,000
Bid in the amount of $56,000
Bid in the amount of $55,000
Bid in the amount of $52,000
The car is extremely solid. Take a look at the assorted underbody pictures, this should give you a pretty clear picture of the overall condition.
Any rust anywhere?
Engine number just added.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
Would you have a picture of the Engine Number?
We do not have the original seats. I believe these are 356 frames, just wrapped in the current shade of color.
Does the owner have the original seats?
Bid in the amount of $50,356
Bid in the amount of $25,000
Bid in the amount of $356
Howdy 356 Enthusiast’s! First off, thank you for all the comments thus far. To bury the elephant in the room and clear up some items, this is what I would call a great driver quality example. If you are looking for a perfect, concours quality 356, keep on moving, this is not that car. This car runs and drives extremely well, much of the hard work was done, but there is still more to do if you want. This 356, I would say is 90% completed. Some call it a driver project, some would call it a DIY restoration, whatever your heart desires to call it, I just want to be forth coming. Good bones, decent paint (again not perfect), and mechanically very sound. This 356 is a great car to enjoy as is or spend $10k and take the car to the next level…it’s your choice, but genuinely it’s a great candidate for however you wish to enjoy it! Good luck all!
Agree, one stunning example! Love the color. Good luck w/sale.
Stunning, an absolute beauty!! This should do well and I wish you the best of luck achieving top dollar, while I admire from afar! ;) GLWA