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:



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 For 1955 the 1500 America was superseded by the better equipped, though still Normal powered, Continental to emphasize the international, sophisticated European nature of these advanced sports cars.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

Porsche announces four flavors of updated Cayenne [w/video]

Thu, 24 Jul 2014

The new Macan may be getting all the attention lately, but Porsche hasn't forgotten about its larger crossover - the one that put it on the map in 2002 and on the road to profitability, with over half a million sold so far. So to keep the Cayenne at the top of its game, Porsche has announced several key upgrades for the 2015 model.
For starters, Porsche has updated the Cayenne's appearance with new front- and rear-end styling. The front bumper, fenders and hood are entirely new, with air fins flanking the nose to direct air into the intercoolers (each model now being artificially aspirated), and new bi-xenon headlamps and daytime running LEDs on every model but the Turbo, which goes all-LED. Around back there's also new taillights, tailgate handle, lower rear fascia and exhaust pipes. Meanwhile the interior has been upgraded with a 918-derived sport steering wheel and reformed rear seats with available ventilation.
The bigger news is under the engine bay, where Porsche is offering four choices. The base model is gone as the range starts with the Cayenne Diesel, followed by the Cayenne S, the new Cayenne S E-Hybrid and the top-of-the-line Cayenne Turbo. The Diesel model carries over the same 3.0-liter turbo diesel with 240 horsepower. The Cayenne S however packs a 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 that's similar to the one found in the Macan Turbo and packs the same 406 lb-ft of torque but more power at 420 hp, 20 more than either its little brother or the model it replaces to reach 62 mph in 5.2 seconds.

Porsche offers design walkthrough of Panamera Sport Turismo

Thu, 03 Jan 2013

The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo was arguably the best concept car of 2012, and Porsche has been building upon that momentum by teasing us with videos of its first-ever station wagon design. After showing us some driving shots of the Sport Turismo, Porsche released a more in-depth and behind-the-scenes look at what it took to take the Panamera shooting brake from a full-scale clay model to the final product we saw on stage at the Paris Motor Show. In the video, Michael Mauer, Porsche style director, and Mitja Borkert, general manager advanced design style, both give a little insight about what went into creating the Sport Turismo Concept.
More than just a station wagon version of the Panamera, the Sport Turismo has a totally distinctive look nose to tail. Some of the key elements the designers touch on in the video include the Porsche-signature raised front fenders, the wide rear shoulders, the front wing inspired by the 918 Spyder, and even some of the car's unique touches, including the headlights and the three-dimensional "Porsche" lettering across the liftgate made from glass. One of the more exciting aspects of the concept - which is sadly just glossed over in the video - is the rear liftgate spoiler that features "variable aerodynamics" that sounds like it acts similar to the retractable spoiler on the current Panamera.
We still don't know if the Panamera Sport Turismo will make it into production, but if you want to see what went into creating this exciting concept car and see the different build phases designers went through to create the Paris show car, check out the video by scrolling below.

Car and Driver 10Best list cracked by Tesla Model S, BMW 3 Series left off

Fri, Nov 21 2014

Car and Driver is keeping new blood pumping into its annual 10Best cars list with three new entries making it on for 2015 and a perennial favorite falling off. Among the biggest shocks this year is that the BMW 3 Series and 4 Series are no longer named, despite years of some portion of that lineup earning a mention. In another surprise, the Tesla Model S (specifically in S 60 trim to fit under the $80,000 cost cap) makes it to the 2015 roster and is the only electrically motivated member of the group. Despite the loss of the 3 Series, BMW isn't entirely shut out this year, because the M235i gets its name on the list. Car and Driver argues that the little coupe feels like a welcome throwback to the E46 chassis M3 of the early 2000s. In addition to the Model S, the final newbie to the annual group is the 2015 Ford Mustang GT. The inclusion of these new members knocks the Audi A6/A7 family and Ford Fiesta ST out from the 2014 rundown. The other seven models carry over from last year, including the Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Honda Accord, Mazda3, Mazda6, Porsche Boxster/Cayman and Volkswagen Golf/GTI. The 2015 10Best cars list certainly seems to have something for everyone from the hot hatch fan to the family man and even the green car driver, thanks to the addition of the Tesla. Head over to Car and Driver to read its detailed explanations for each vehicle's inclusion, but if you've got a difference of opinion or just really like the list, let us know in Comments. Featured Gallery Car and Driver 2015 10Best Cars List View 10 Photos News Source: Car and DriverImage Credit: Car and Driver, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Porsche, Tesla, Volkswagen Auto News BMW Cadillac Chevrolet Ford Honda Mazda Porsche Tesla Volkswagen Convertible Coupe Hatchback Performance Sedan 10Best