Porsche: 356 Speedster

1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A Speedster Chassis no. 80722 California CarFreshly serviced Numbers Matching Certificate of Authenticity Older Restoration Please contact us for more information. $279,900.00 USD Chassis no. 80722 64bhp, 1,488cc opposed four-cylinder engine, Zenith carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, independent front and rear suspension torsion bar with shock absorbers and four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 82.7"The Porsche 356 ‘Pre A’ is definitively known as the original 356. Production of the 356 began in 1950 and relied heavily on Volkswagen components. The 356 had an integral body and chassis utilizing unitary construction techniques. By 1955 the 356 had been developed into one of the worlds most respected sports cars. This feat was quite remarkable considering that Porsche had yet to celebrate its 10th anniversary.The evolution of the Porsche 356 was swift, impelled not only by Porsche’s drive for technical improvement but also by the realities of commercial success. Sales outstripped even Porsche’s most optimistic sales forecasts, and with increased sales came opportunities to build more and more of the 356 in-house, as well as expand the model range. The first sales driven new model came in 1954 – the Speedster.The Speedster originated by means of Porsche’s US importer, the legendary Max Hoffman who was responsible for recognizing the special needs of the US market, and for encouraging, sometimes even bludgeoning, his European partners into building specific models to meet them. The Speedster was one of the most famous and successful. Conceived to meet a specific price point, it was a Spartan Porsche with minimal equipment and no accouterments. Priced at $2,995 East Coast POE, the seats were skimpy and the top tiny, and it dispensed with the luxury of roll-up windows in favor of ineffective little side curtains. A heater was extra.The Speedster was an instant success, offering its drivers an economical and elemental Porsche experience. In barely two years’ production, some 1,200 were built totaling 75 percent of 356 Cabriolet production over its six year life. The Speedster quickly established a nearly invincible reputation on US race tracks, giving it a serious performance image with an anti-establishment edge. It remains so today, and is by far the most valuable of the so-called Pre-A Porsches.The lovely example offered here is a California car complete with matching numbers. The vehicle just underwent a complete service. To enhance performance and reliability the car was converted to a 12-volt system and has been fitted with Zenith carburetors. The restoration included rebuilding and calibrating the transmission and the steering box as well as insuring the car’s overall excellent driving condition.Though the interior dispenses with many customary amenities, it is beautifully fitted with a saddle leather interior, German carpets, tonneau and convertible top and is complete with the correct side windows. Notably, the original Porsche Speedster steering wheel has been retained and sets off the interior very well.Included in the sale is an official Certificate of Authenticity from Porsche attesting to the matching numbers. Visit us @ kulumotorcar.com

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