DT: 912-Powered 1960 Porsche 356B Roadster
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1960
- Make: Porsche
- Model: 356 B Roadster
- VIN: 87607
- Mileage Shown: 122mi (TMU)
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Condor Yellow
- Seller Type: Dealer
- Dealer Fees: None
- Location: Florence, AL 35630
- Country: United States of America
- Lot #: V-0055193-DT
Introduced for the 1960 model year on the T5 platform, the 356 Roadster replaced the one-year-only Convertible D with updated bodywork by Drauz in Heilbronn. Following a three-year comprehensive restoration, this inaugural-year 356B Roadster has been refinished in Condor Yellow over black leather upholstery and features a 912-derived 1,600cc flat-four engine, 4-speed manual gearbox reportedly built by Vic Skirmant's 356 Enterprises, Willhoit torsion bars and sway bar, Tecnomagensio wheels, front disc brakes, and more. With approximately 100 miles driven since the restoration, this meticulously restored 356 is now being offered for auction by its seller out of Alabama.
As part of its rotisserie restoration, this example was refinished in Condor Yellow, a shade exclusively offered for the 356 between 1960 and 1961. Compared with its Reutter-built Coupe and Cabriolet counterparts, this Roadster features bodywork by Drauz and is distinguished by its wind-up windows and sporty removable windscreen. Equipment includes a black convertible soft top, chrome trim, and 15” Tecnomagnesio alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires. The exterior is described to be in concours condition, detailed images are provided in the gallery.
The cabin has been restored with black leather upholstery spanning the low-back bucket seats, door panels, and upper dashboard. Accessories include a body-color dashboard, green-lettered gauges, a black-finished three-spoke steering wheel, a driver's sun visor, a "PORSCHE" dashboard badge, and chrome accents. Black square weave carpeting and rubber floor mats are also equipped.
Power comes from a 1,600cc flat-four engine sourced from a Porsche 912 and rebuilt by a Porsche specialist. The rear wheels are driven through a 4-speed 741C manual gearbox, reportedly built by Vic Skirmants’s renowned 356 Enterprises. Additional upgrades include a 12-volt conversion, Willhoit torsion bars and sway bar, four-wheel independent suspension, front disc brakes, and rear hydraulic drum brakes. The gallery includes extensive restoration documentation and photographs.
This sale will include a clean title.
The seller would like you to know: "The Roadster balances the lightweight driver-focused attitude of the Speedster with the versatility of the Cabriolet. This gorgeous Condor Yellow 1960 example takes it several steps further, thanks to a superb, high spec “Outlaw” style build. The 3-year rotisserie restoration is by concours specialist Martin’s Classic Cars. It is finished to concours quality standards, with a host of choice upgrades to improve performance, handling and style.
Highlights of the build include a robust 912 engine and 741C gearbox, which the consignor reports was built by Vic Skirmants’s renowned 356 Enterprises, and updated with more reliable 12-volt electrics. The suspension is fine-tuned via Willhoit Restoration torsion bars and sway bar, along with new Sachs dampers all around. A front disc brake conversion ensures the stopping power matches the performance and handling upgrades.
The body is beautifully restored and finished to a high standard in the factory shade of Condor Yellow over a black leather interior. Square weave carpets, rubber floor mats, and a factory 3-spoke wheel keep everything looking tidy and authentic, with only subtle hints at what lurks beneath the skin. The slightly lowered stance gives it a particularly tasty aesthetic, especially on the fantastic Technomagnesio wheels shod with period-style rubber.
At first glance, the modifications appear subtle, but the quality and attention to detail become ever more apparent the closer you look. The consignor reports just 122 miles have passed under the wheels since completion of the 3-year restoration, and it is virtually ‘box fresh’ and prime for enjoyment on any number rallies and tours. This Roadster represents so much of what we love about the ‘outlaw’ 356 style – preserving the purity of the original shape, while carefully honing Porsche’s iconic sports car into a proper back-road weapon."
Comments (39)
I would love to own this car! I know how much it takes to get a car to this condition and it isn't cheap.Its a long shot but I had to make one more offer.
Offer in the amount of $185,000
@amack @My73trvi As advised to a DM inquiry, the total cost for this freshly completed concours grade full nut & bolt rotisserie restoration is: $298k ($238k invoices in image gallery, plus the $60k cost of the donor -- indirect costs not included).
@My73trvi Also, the Skirmants invoice is shown on photo #475.
@Urelfer The floor pans were new, yet improperly installed by the prior restorer who was "over his head" in his project, prior to the donor's acquisition by our client. Our client's concours winning restorer corrected the improper installation; see photos #415 and #452 -- the metal work performed is without compromise over the entire car.
The seller hasn't answered my question regarding the floors yet: Which pics show the olds one and which the new ones? Can you confirm that the ones in pictures 273 and 279 have been removed and new ones/other ones properly welded in? Thanks.
Offer in the amount of $175,000
@My73trvi It's setup for street; reliable, strong low-end torque, excellent power delivery with a very good/smooth transmission. Amazing to drive; exceeding 356 standards. Everything works as it should; very quick by 356 standards and handles perfectly.
Offer in the amount of $150,000
My internet is lagging behind
I didn't catch that last bid
Bid in the amount of $125,000
@seller: I'd like to bid but I'm still a bit confused by the pics. Just to make 100% sure: Are the floors in picture 273 and 279 the old ones? I am asking because in picture 293 the welds look the same but everything is painted black now, like the finished sections of the body.
Can the seller give any more details on the Skirmants engine? He is known for high reving race engines of course. How was this one built?
Bid in the amount of $120,000
This is one of the most beautiful cars I’ve seen on PCar. If I hadn’t just taken delivery of a new yellow and black Boxster, I would love to bid on this. Good luck!
There’s only two words to describe someone who can turn that box of parts into this Masterpiece- True Genius!
Bid in the amount of $60,000
Bid in the amount of $58,000
"Sanitary ! "
Bid in the amount of $55,000
Bid in the amount of $45,000
Bid in the amount of $40,000
Amazing beautiful restoration/resurrection! The car belongs in a collection (yeah, I know, fun to drive ... Porsches are meant to be driven, blah, blah).
As pointed out in the above narrative, it's a fairly rare bird (historic, actually) that merits preserving (IMHO), and I'm certain that whoever ends up with this gem will know and appreciate what they've acquired.
@Regest Much appreciated.
@witz Thank you; agree regarding the "sausage comment", yet most want to see the starting point and the work involved.
@probinson1627 I would contact the restorer Martin's Classic Cars - https://martinsclassiccars.com/contact-us -- ask for the GM Jacob Holt.
Seller, Do you know what company furnished the air cleaners? They look lots like the factory Knecht filters that have been fitted with meaningful paper/cloth inner filters that do a much better job than the original Knecht's.
Many 912 and Super 90 owners would like to know how to get similar filters.
Congratulations on this beautifully restored 1960 Roadster. I too just completed a 4 plus year restoration on my 1960 Roadster. I know first hand what’s involved. This is an excellent, professional restoration in a fantastic color. These are so special hey bring smiles to everyone that sees them. Best of all, it’s a smile a minute to drive…
It’s obvious people don’t want to see how the sausage is made. There is extensive amount of metal work. Car looks amazing! Love the color, I think the carpets would look better in oatmeal.
@lkeigwin Thank you; I contacted PCM Admin to handle and see that it was done.
Bid in the amount of $35,000
Image 466 has not been sanitized, FWIW. Sorry, I could not contact seller directly.
Love the roadster. GLWTA
@amartinez55 Appreciated; thank you.
@Urelfer The final set of pics tell the story. It’s a quality job that had to begin with undoing the mess made by someone’s prior ineptitude.
@ehd911 In the end, a lovely car with fine workmanship obvious with the concours class metal work. The pictures, however, are confusing. It’s hard to know when the concours guy took over from the other guy from the Dr. Frankenstein School of Welding.
@Urelfer Your assumption is incorrect; you are referencing photos at the start of the restoration, after the body was media blasted, before the concours class restorer's metal work began.
I have seen this car up close and personal, and it is beautiful, and fast !
The car looks great at first glance and I just wanted to bid. But the guy who did all the welding should (with all due respect) get another job... Look at the pics with the new floor pans (e.g. 282, 252) and how they have been welded to the rest of the car. Or pics 286, 287 etc. of patches. I had hoped first that those are pre-restoration pics (but I'm pretty sure they are not).