HIGHLIGHTS
- Matching numbers
- Extremely desirable ''pre-Series'' car
- Fully restored in 2010
- Tuned lightweight Mofoco engine
- Supplied with its original fully overhauled 616/2 engine
- ASI (Italian Historic Automotoclub) Gold Plate registered
- Mille Miglia eligible
- A rare and powerful 356, completely restored with competence and respect and maintained with the utmost care
THE APPEAL
In 1948, the first “Porsche” car, the aluminium-bodied 356/1 conceived by Ferdinand Anton “Ferry” Porsche, son of Ferdinand Porsche, was built in Gmünd, Austria.
Two years later production moved to Germany, where the models now known as 356 Pre-A were assembled with pressed steel panels by the coachbuilder Reutter in Stuttgart and equipped with Volkswagen-based 1100 cc engines, with more powerful 1300 cc and 1500 cc engines coming in 1953.
At the end of 1955, Porsche introduced the new 356 A Type 1, with important innovations such as the new suspension, the curved windshield, the padded dashboard and a new 1600 cc 60 hp engine, also available in the "Super" 75 hp version.
In September 1957, with the revised Type 2 version, the 356 received further modifications.
Originally sold in the United States, this Porsche 356A is a rare "Super" version, equipped with the most powerful 75 hp 1600 cc engine and built in just seventy-one examples. Being one of the last Type 1 built, it features some of the upgrades that would be introduced on T2 models a few months later.
Imported into Italy in 2001 in already in very good condition and completely restored in 2010, it is currently equipped with a tuned Volkswagen-based Mofoco 2.180 cc lightweight engine that develops 180 hp.
The original numbers matching engine, fully overhauled and complete with carburettors and muffler, will be supplied together with the car and is ready to be fitted.
Registered with ASI (Italian Historic Automotoclub) with Gold Plate and coming with an ASI FIVA international historic vehicles certification and a Certificate of Originality from Porsche Italia, this 356 is Mille Miglia eligible, since an identical model competed in the last edition in 1957, winning in the Grand Touring 1600 category.
Rare, special, fast and maintained with the utmost care, this Porsche 356A T1 will certainly attract the attention of Porschephiles, who will appreciate its historical importance and its many outstanding features.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
- Built in May 1957
- One of the last 356 A T1 produced
- Imported from the United States
- Registered in Italy
- Valid MOT
- ASI Gold Plate registered
- ASI FIVA international historic vehicles certification
- Porsche Italy Certificate of Originality
Built in May 1957, this 356 is one of the last Type 1s produced.
Imported into Italy from the United States in 2001, it has been completely restored in 2010 and always maintained with the utmost care.
Registered with ASI (Italian Historic Automotoclub) from 2002, it has been awarded an ASI Golden Plate which certifies its compliance with its original specifications and its excellent state of conservation and is accompanied by an ASI FIVA international historic vehicles certification and a Certificate of Originality from Porsche Italia.
THE INTERIOR
- Restored interior in very good condition
- Vintage radio
- Well integrated supplementary gauges
- Original, perfectly preserved Bakelite components
- Vintage radio
- Well integrated additional gauges
The fully restored interior in very good condition is evocative, intimate and impressive, full of connections to the glorious sporting history of Porsche, with the ignition key on the left and the long, slanted gear lever perfectly within reach.
The front seats, the folding rear seat, the door panels and the upper part of the dashboard are upholstered in black imitation leather.
The body-coloured metal dashboard houses beautiful VDO instruments with green lettering that include a 120-mph speedometer, a central tachometer and gauges for oil temperature and fuel level.
Under the dashboard, below the nice vintage radio, additional discreet and well-integrated aftermarket VDO gauges have been mounted in a custom pod, to monitor the powerful tuned engine.
The beautiful headliner and the brightwork are in very good condition, as are the attractive and rare Bakelite components such as the original knobs for the auxiliary services and the beautiful and extremely rare original two-spoke steering wheel.
The ashtray with Bakelite knob positioned in the middle of the dashboard and the choke lever mounted in front of the gearbox would be adopted on the following Type 2 and were fitted to a few of the last Type 1 examples built.
THE EXTERIOR
- In very good condition overall
- Repainted in the original Silver Metallic colour
- Bumpers, chrome, lettering and badges in excellent condition
- Polished wheel covers
- Clean underbody
Professionally repainted in the original brilliant Silver Metallic 608, as shown on the plaque located in the left door jamb, this 356 is impressive and extremely attractive, with the distinctive clean and aerodynamic design of the first series.
The fully restored bodywork is in very good condition, without any visible flaws, with brilliant brightwork and spotless headlights, lettering and badges.
The clean and essential lines of the 356 highlight details of great charm, such as the single engine grille, the Reutter badge, the beautiful polished wheel covers and interesting aesthetic details which would be introduced on the following Type 2 series and were adopted on a few of the latest Type 1 cars, such as the teardrop taillights replacing the four small “beehive” lights and the back number plate light mounted under the plate, with lighting facing upwards.
The underbody has been restored and is sound and clean, with no rust or leaks.
THE MECHANICS
- Original 1,582 cc air-cooled four-cylinder 616/2 boxer engine with 75 hp
- Two carburettors
- Four-speed manual gearbox
- Fully overhauled mechanics
- Additional Mofoco lightweight tuned 2.180 cc 180 hp engine
- Thorough maintenance
- Efficient and reliable
The clean and tidy engine compartment houses an American-made lightweight Volkswagen-based tuned 2.180 cc engine with magnesium alloy crankcase built by the American specialis Mofoco in 2007 that develops 180 hp.
The original numbers matching 75 hp “Super” engine has been fully overhauled and is in perfect working order, complete with carburettors and muffler and will be supplied together with the car, ready to be installed or stored.
The owner assures that all the mechanics were completely overhauled during the restoration and are efficient and reliable and that the car is ready to be driven and does not require any mechanical intervention.
SUMMARY
The Porsche 356 is considered by many to be one of the best sports cars ever created.
Light, agile and revolutionary, capable of obtaining high-level performance with compact engines and relatively low power, the 356 has earned the admiration and respect of entire generations of enthusiasts, becoming one of the most sought-after cars by collectors throughout the world.
The high-level restoration, careful maintenance, excellent general condition and the valuable tuned engine supplied together with the very rare and fully overhauled original one, make this rare Porsche 356 1600 Super particularly interesting for the most knowledgeable collectors and for the enthusiast looking for a truly special 356.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes. On request, Car & Classic may refer you to a third-party shipping company. For more details, email [email protected]. Prices start at €150+VAT within the same country or €400+VAT for moves across borders.,
