Highlights

In present ownership since 1990!
Highly original and very well-preserved example
Rarely seen and collectable Californian black plates still with the car
Desirable Slate Grey paintwork (schiefergr 6201) which was also the original colour
Beautifully presented inside, out and underneath

The Appeal

The Porsche 356 is without doubt one of the most important sports cars ever made. It was the 356 that convinced critics Porsche could make a rear-engined, air-cooled performance car work, and in doing so, it paved the way for the 911.

This 1962 356B Super is one of the vanishingly rare original survivors. Even in the dry State of California where many including this example spent most of its life, there are immensely few which have avoided terminal corrosion, extensive modification or required heavy restoration. That makes this car rather special as its bodywork is almost entirely original. The colour too, this very fashionable Slate Grey much admired by Steve McQueen in period, was also original to this car and looks utterly fabulous.

The vendor acquired this Porsche in 1990, using it for a period as their daily driver and only carrying out light restoration and repair as necessary over the years in order to preserve it. Beautifully presented and offered with a substantial history file, this 356 awaits its next custodian.

The History and Paperwork

Body matching, with both principal VIN and hidden A pillar VIN corresponding
Colour matching confirmed as an original Slate Grey (schiefergr 6201) car
First UK registered in January 1991
Californian LHD import
Supplied new to Berlin, before soon travelling to Toronto and then California
In present ownership since 1990
Used initially as a daily driver
Back on the road for the past five years
Exempt from road tax and MOT testing
Still displays its Californian plates beside its UK ones
Some original US registration paperwork survives
A significant collection of parts invoices has been accrued over the years and accompany the car
The original engine number listed on the Kardex is 700148, confirmation that the car was a Super from new.
The engine is not the original, although it has been sourced from an age-matched BT6 Super (no.701678, specification no.616/12)
The original gearbox number listed on the Kardex is 50349
The gearbox fitted now is a correct 741 type with number 51267, again from another slightly later T6 and is stamped October 1961 (10 1)

This 356 has a particularly fascinating early history. Supplied new to Berlin on 2nd October 1961, it made its way to Toronto, Canada just 22 days later where its second service was carried out. It then took the fabled Route 66 down to California, where it would remain until journeying to the UK in 1991.

The Interior

Kardex indicates leather upholstery from new - a rare option
2+2 arrangement
VDO instrumentation with green numerals reportedly working well, as is the clock
Ribbed rubber matting lines the floors and new items were installed five years ago as they had been replaced with carpet previously
The front seats were reupholstered in 1990 after the originals came to the end of their life
The carpeting presents well and was replaced around six years ago (originals saved)
All dashboard switches work correctly except the original cigarette lighter
The fibre board glove box and plywood toe boards are the originals which is rare as most succumbed to dampness
The headlining looks good with no tears and the interior lights operate correctly
Retains its unique 1962 fuel gauge that still functions although the sender can be temperamental as is not uncommon with these cars
Well presented luggage compartment complete with spare wheel

The look and feel of this interior is just right. Where many 356s have required significant restoration work, with every inch of their interiors renewed, this one seamlessly blends the old and the new, with various components retrimmed or replaced in the past out of necessity.

Incredibly rare original features such as the fibre board glovebox and plywood toe boards have survived, whereas the front seats were retrimmed in 1990 and have now mellowed nicely to match the remaining original upholstery.

The Exterior

Confirmed body matching and colour matching
Slate Grey paintwork (schiefergr 6201)
Reportedly all the sheet metal is original besides the lower portion of the spare wheel well
The bonnet, engine lid, both doors and both hinge cover plates are all stamped with last 3 digits of the chassis number ‘814’
The concealed VIN thatʼs stamped into the A pillar behind the right hinge cover plate, matches the principal VIN number thatʼs stamped into the luggage compartment
The outer door skins and door bottoms are original and corrosion-free
The floor pan is reportedly all original, with no patches or plates to be seen
The longitudinals and jack spurs are also the original components
The original and unique to 1962 fuel tank is in excellent condition (with sender unit mounted underneath)
It retains the jack clips on the right-hand inner wing which were only fitted by Reutter to the very earliest T6s and this is now identified as one of three known 1961 built Reutter cars with these fitted
Impeccable chrome

Many 356s were to succumb to corrosion, but this example is a notable exception. Not only is it a confirmed ‘body matching’ example, we’re assured that the original shell is original and undamaged.

Most surviving examples have seen their fair share of welding work, but this car has not required any repair besides the spare wheel well. It’s likely a leaking battery would have caused this to corrode and a well-executed gas welding repair, likely performed before the advent of MIG technology has been left as part of the car’s history.

It presents immensely well topside and underneath, with straight bodywork, smart paint and no corrosion we could see.

The Mechanics

Age/model-appropriate 1600 cc air-cooled flat-four with matched numbers between engine crankcase and third pieces.
Twin Zenith carburettors, both rebuilt and date matched 7/61
Four-speed manual gearbox (also an Age/model-appropriate replacement)
Engine, gearbox and clutch overhauled by Roger Bursch as per invoice
The shift coupler bushes and the friction ring have been replaced recently, so the gear change feel is now about as precise as it can be in a 356
Said to be running and driving exactly as it should, with no apparent faults
All presents really well inside the engine compartment and has presented to look as original as possible

While performance figures are far removed from today’s standards, a 356 is always a delight to drive, especially one set up as well as this. All presents well under the engine hatch and we’re assured it continues to drive very well.

Again, a great deal of care and attention has been put into authenticating all the mechanical components and the vendor can confirm that the engine and gearbox are the correct items for a 356 B Super of this age. All of the engine’s key components have matching numbers, showing the unit is original and complete.

Summary

Coming from long-term ownership, this is a car that’s been very well gone through by its previous owner of 33 years and its originality is quite astonishing. 356s are now very desirable of course, so we’re sure this one shall be much-coveted by collectors the world over.

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