Description
Chassis No. 87965
Engine No. 602808
Transmission No. 37380
The 356 B Roadster evolved from the famed Speedster and single-year Convertible D as the newest sporting open-topped 356. While the Speedster was spartan, the Roadsters had become nearly as civilized as the Cabriolet while a more raked windshield gave the car a more sporting appearance, and roll-up side windows aided usability. Initial body production of the Roadster was handled by Drauz, who also built the 356 A-based Convertible D. Only available from 1960 through 1962, 356 B T-5 and T-6 Roadsters were produced in smaller quantities than the Coupes and Cabriolets, with high quality examples like this a truly rare sight today!
A digital copy of its factory Kardex, as well as the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity that accompanies it, reveals that this 356 B 1600 Roadster was originally ordered in May 1960 through Autogerma S. p. a in Bologna, the official Porsche distributor in Italy, and delivered in the color combination Rubinrot with Kunstl Schwarz, to Signore Giacobbe, a resident in Warrentown, Pennsylvania in the United States.
The current owner acquired the rare Roadster nearly a decade ago from August Porsche Addiction in Belgium, at a time when the car had undergone a complete restoration to its original configuration, featuring the striking Ruby Red exterior, black leatherette interior, and Porsche crest hubcaps as noted on the Kardex.
Since then, it has been regularly maintained at August Porsche, including a full engine overhaul in 2019, documented in the invoices and photographs available in the file, as well as some mechanical work carried out at PAT Sprl, Porsche and Volkswagen specialists, and cosmetic work performed more recently at Carrosserie Janssens.
A 2017 appraisal report confirms that this 356 retains its original chassis, engine, and transmission. Restored to a very high standard, this matching-numbers Roadster is undoubtedly the ideal example for a future owner wishing to fully enjoy the open-air pleasure of driving a Porsche.
