Find or Sell Used Cars, Trucks, and SUVs in USA

1956 Porsche 356 "european" Cabriolet, 1 Of 22, Kardex, Complete For Restoration on 2040-cars

US $119,000.00
Year:1956 Mileage:1111
Location:

Advertising:



One of only 22 made


1956 Porsche 356 European Cabriolet

Coachwork by Reutter?

Like so many successful marketing ideas of the time, it came from the German company’s North American importer, Max Hoffman (the man who also brought the world the 356 Speedster among other notable marques and models from Alfa Romeo, etc.). As a means of increasing the import of 356 coup?s and convertibles, he suggested began his series of entry level Porsches with the 1500 America, a 'de-trimmed' 356 powered by the Normal (as opposed to Super) engine. For 1955 the 1500 America was superseded by the better equipped, though still Normal powered, Continental to emphasize the international, sophisticated European nature of these advanced sports cars. The gold badge was in Porsche’s characteristic script, set on the top of each front wing of these top-model, 1500cc version, stacked full of options. According to Road & Track: "The Normal produced more torque than the Super below 3,000rpm, and in any given gear, from any given speed, could out-accelerate the more powerful car.”

However, after Ford’s objections to the use of “Continental”, the model was changed to the “European” for 1956 model year. Again, highly optioned, and with the script adorning the front wings, very few of these cars exist. Records aren’t definitive, but it is believed that only 22 were built and only 16 are accounted for.

The car offered here is a very late “European” Cabriolet model of the 356, as ordered and delivered in March 1956 to Hoffman in New York. In barn-find condition, the body is essentially rust-free and straight with excellent panel fit. The doors, trunk and hood all fit perfectly with superb original panel gaps, and are marked with matching and original panel numbers. There is rust in the usual places of the floors and battery box – an easy repair.

The car is near complete with original engine and gearbox, running gear, etc. It will need the horn-button, shift lever, seats, rear bumper guards, radio, and Perspex sun visors to be complete. The original Solex carbs have been replaced with Dell’Ortos, but are readily available to return the car to original spec. It features the correct “Beehive” rear lights and sealed-beam headlights, in-dash ashtray (rather than under the dash), speedo in mph, and remains in the rare and original colour combination of triple black.

The car has been in dry storage since purchase in 1992, and was driven in there at that point. The engine turns freely, but may require a rebuild.

The car is accompanied by a 1992 Porsche Letter of Authenticity/early Kardex, which quotes the model type as a “356A Type European Cabriolet”, and includes engine and transmission numbers, and the chassis number, which corresponds to markings on the car’s original panels.

Here is a link to a similar car, sold recently at Gooding’s Scottsdale auction in January of this year for $310,750:

http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1955-porsche-356-1500-continental-cabriolet/

Clicking on one of the photos below will take you to a photobucket album with many details photos of the car including the underside.

For further information, please contact me by email or call 310.391.2376

Here is an excellent opportunity to acquire a Porsche 356 of equal value or more than a comparable Speedster, yet of far greater rarity. It is almost guaranteed acceptance in to any premiere international concours or touring event.

 photo DSC_0217_zpsbfcdbffa.jpg

 photo DSC_0181_zpsaf023f73.jpg

 photo DSC_0125_zps40e94651.jpg

Auto blog

Xcar tests Cayman GT4, wonders if it's finally knocked off big brother

Sat, Oct 10 2015

Should you buy a Porsche Cayman and save a whole butt-load of money, or just get a 911? That question, friends, has never been as difficult to answer as it is today, where you can get a Cayman that not only undercuts its big brother on price, but in many ways, delivers a better driving experience. Of course, we're talking about the Cayman GT4, a car that pilfers the old 911 Carrera S 3.8-liter, flat-six engine and the GT3's adaptive suspension system and carbon-ceramic brakes. Not only does it borrow from big brother, but it's arranged in what some might argue is a more logical manner, parking that naturally aspirated boxer smack-dab in the middle, rather than at the back like the 911. Oh, and the manual-only GT4 is only a tenth slower to 60 than the new, turbocharged Carrera S, but has a starting price that's $18,800 lower. Yes, you read that correctly, the GT4 is a Ford Focus less than the standard-bearing Porsche. Naturally, Xcar keeps all this in mind as it tests the GT4, a vehicle that it comes to a rather interesting conclusion about. Of course, we won't spoil that for you, so head on up and check out the entire test, as Xcar's Alex Goy tests out what may well be a genuine alternative to the 911. Related Video:

Proof the world revolves around the Porsche Cayman

Sat, 27 Apr 2013

Or at least the world revolves underneath the Porsche Cayman, in the latest video showing off Stuttgart's mid-engine coupe. Porsche put an Easter egg in the world that spins triple-time, a "famous relative" of the Cayman hidden somewhere on the marble planet, and gave a Porsche Martini bag to one of the first 50 people who could point it out.
With more than 300 views there's no chance you'll win the bag, but you can still go on the treasure hunt in the video below.

Next-generation Panamera will spawn variants, Sport Turismo in the running

Mon, Dec 1 2014

A few years ago it took actual willpower not to consider what kinds of cool derivatives Porsche could make with the Panamera. Our fancies were helped by patent drawings of a Panamera convertible, rumors of a two-door 928 GT and internal Porsche sketches of such a car, and report after report after report that the current, second-generation Panamera would begin to expand the family. That hasn't happened, but according to a new report in Auto Express, the next Panamera will be the one to begin the bifurcation. Wolfgang Hatz, the brand's head of research and development, told the mag that, "We have prepared it for a lot of derivatives, personally I like very much the Sport Turismo." The Panamera Sport Turismo, remember, was the hybrid, concept wagon that rolled into the 2012 Paris Motor Show and made everyone ask, "Why didn't you build this design from the beginning?" It could have been Hatz's English, but after professing his ardor for the Sport Turismo, the executive said, "But there is a good chance for more derivatives." We're not sure if that means the Sport Turismo is all but approved, or if he was speaking of the third generation Panamera's new MSB platform in general. Even though Hatz mentioned a coupe and convertible, it sounds like that latter variant won't be happening, Hatz saying that the brand already has the Boxster and 911 Cabriolet. We're willing to forgive that omission – who's really looking for a four-door convertible, anyway? – and welcome the Sport Turismo first if Hatz will please please please get us a new 928.