Beschreibung:

1,488cc OHV Flat 4-Cylinder Engine
2 Solex Carburetors
70bhp at 5,000rpm
4-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*Exceptional, concours-quality restoration performed by marque specialist
*Desirable and pure, early production 'Bent-window' Pre-A Porsche 356 Coupe
*Finished in striking period-correct Radium Green over Green livery
*Retains its matching-numbers engine, transaxle and body panels
*Presented in period-correct 1500 Super tune with correct Solex carburetors
THE PORSCHE 356
Although Ferdinand Porsche had established his independent automotive design consultancy in the early 1930s, his name would not appear on a car until 1949. When it did, it graced one of the all-time great sports cars: the Porsche 356. The work of Ferry Porsche, the Type 356 was based on the Volkswagen designed by his father, Ferdinand, and like the immortal 'Beetle' employed a platform-type chassis with rear-mounted air-cooled engine and all-independent torsion bar suspension.
Having commenced manufacture with a short run of aluminum-bodied cars built at the Gmünd, Austria-based old sawmill, Porsche began volume production of the steel-bodied 356 Coupe at its old base in Stuttgart, at first in premises shared with coachbuilders Reutter and then from 1955 in its original factory at Zuffenhausen. In 1951 a works car finished first in the 1,100cc class at the Le Mans 24 Hours, thus beginning the marque's long and illustrious association with Le Sarthe.
Constant development saw the 356's engine progressively enlarged, with 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre units first becoming available in 1951. In 1952 the original split windscreen was replaced by a one-piece bent screen and a Porsche synchromesh gearbox adopted. 1955 marked the arrival of the revised 356A, the newcomer being readily distinguished by its curved windscreen and 15" - down from 16" - wheels. These early 'Pre-A' Porsche
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
The early Pre-A examples of the legendary Porsche 356 are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Indeed, no Porsche collection can be truly complete without one of these groundbreaking models which started it all. According to the Porsche-issued Certificate of Authenticity and a copy of the original factory build sheet (Kardex) on file, this Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 Coupe chassis no. 51678 was completed at the Zuffenhausen-based Porsche Works during the Spring of 1954 and was one of about 1,360 Coupe examples produced that year. The Porsche certificate indicates that the original paint color was Pascha Red over Tan Leatherette w/Corduroy trim in the cockpit. The new Porsche was built as a US-market car, fitted with Sealed Beam headlights, and shipped off to legendary US car importer Max Hoffman during March of 1954.
The Porsche is known to have been kept in long-term family ownership in California for more than 40 years, passing from father to son and later to the brother. In recent years the desirable Pre-A 356 has been treated to a comprehensive, nut-and-bolt restoration by noted marque expert and Concours Judge Mr. Louis Paras. The bodywork was carefully stripped and expertly re-finished in the stunning Radium Green light metallic color it wears today; a period-correct 356 Pre-A color. The original '78' factory stampings remain on the body panels, indicating that these are indeed the original components for the car. Chrome and brightwork was equally fastidiously well restored, down to the detail of the square door handles featuring the 'pie tin' buttons. Correct Hella lights was restored with all the right re-engraving of the insignia, while the glass received the right SEKURIT etchings. The correct, dated-coded wheels was painted body-color as appropriate, and fitted with period bias-ply tires.
The interior was professionally trimmed in green, and features correct, green-tinted sun visors, the right square-wave carpeting, correct bungy cord hold-downs for the rear seats, a lovely original Telefunken radio and restored delicate Veigel instruments situated in the distinct early Pre-A dashboard. The engine compartment has been superbly restored and detailed with all the right ancillaries, markings and insulation, and features the matching numbers engine, which has been trimmed with period-correct 1500 Super Solex carburetors for a little extra performance. The transaxle is also the matching numbers unit, and has been professionally resorted along with the undercarriage, suspension and brake system.
Offered with the car is the Porsche certificate of Authenticity, a copy of the original factory build sheet and a correct 1954-model jack. The cost of the factory correct Concours restoration done to this Porsche totaled over $275,000 and is documented with photos taken throughout the process. This spectacular Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupe is ready for competitive PCA Concours judging, and benefits from retaining its matching numbers engine and transaxle, indeed a rare claim for these early production 356 models. Finished in the spectacular Radium Green over Green livery, this early Pre-A 356 Coupe beautifully demonstrates the pure and clean design of these elegant and desirable Porsche cars.