Description
With a heavy heart I’m parting company with my long-time automotive dream, and unfortunately I’ll probably never get it back on the road...
It’s one of the very earliest 356 B Cabriolets from September 1959; it’s the 8th B Cabriolet produced, and in the same month exported to America. The VIN 152483 appears in Porsche’s production lists and confirms that it is the 8th Cabriolet produced in the then-new B-series.
I bought the car more than 30 years ago, restored a few things and even clocked up a few miles. But in truth it mostly sat in the garage and I never got it finished.
No German papers, but the original title from San Francisco, Porsche data sheet, a copy of the delivery card and the customs certificate. The Cabriolet was partly restored in the USA, including the following:
- New black fabric convertible top with rear window (no zipper!),
- new red leather interior with carpets,
- new floor,
- at some point also new paint in silver,
- incorrect instruments (912) installed, etc.
This colour combination matches the original spec according to the delivery card, and was also my dream.
The engine and gearbox were swapped in the USA; the engine is from the C-model, but it is also a 1600 with 75 hp, as original.
The gearbox is from the predecessor (356 A). So it is not a "matching numbers" car. According to the motor-to-model-year mapping lists, the original engine might also have been from the A?!
Some further work was then done on my end:
- The gearbox was completely dismantled, resealed, and new synchroniser rings manufactured and fitted (almost as good as new!).
- On the front axle a suspension arm was newly bent/ stoned (replaced).
- The braking system fully overhauled: original brake shoes (9/ 59) were reground, all wheel cylinders overhauled, master cylinder new,
- the 912 instruments swapped for 356 instruments,
- and a few other items.
After an oil change and a new set of ignition cables I drove the car: the engine ran excellently with good power and no oil leaks. The brakes worked evenly with very good effect and not with one-sided bite.
Over the years I’ve acquired quite a few parts; the car is now truly complete. The parts not visible in the photos are stored in boxes (rear-view mirrors, decorative grille, inscriptions, hubcaps, tonneau cover, ...), so everything is there.
The photos are from 2018, when a Classic Data short appraisal was carried out; after that the car was put back in the showroom and not moved again. The last 3 photos are from 1 November 2025, after removing the dust layer.
I cannot rule out finding rust somewhere, but in the last 30 years I have not found any such areas or bubbling. A magnet check on the entire shell revealed no filler nonsense—everywhere the metal is solid and the sound is sheet metal, not concrete. Clearly no welding is required.
A very worthwhile, reasonably small project with the following main tasks outstanding in my view:
- Paint
- Wiper motor (12V) to replace, 6V present
- Replace tyres
- Seal the fuel tap (standing-damage)
- Seal the rear-left brake (standing-damage)
- Complete the electricals (install hazard warning lights, which are present)
- Replace rubber seals (all newly available)
- Refit or recolour the inner rear side trim (blue)
- ?
These are probably the main items. Anyone who knows the Porsche 356 will know these are mostly minor tasks. The truly time-consuming and expensive items (roof, gearbox, ...) have already been done.
Even though this isn’t a "matching numbers" car, this is a lovely project with very modest effort required, very solid provenance, and the chance to end up driving a affordable, handsome, and rare 356 Cabriolet.
Private sale, therefore no warranty or returns.
Viewing by arrangement is of course possible and welcomed.
Possibly part-exchange for MG TD or pre-war cabriolet! - very early B Cabriolet, No. 8 from 25 09. 1959
- apparently accident-free
- very good sheet-metal condition
- colour and trim as original
