Description
Although Ferdinand Porsche had founded his car design consultancy in the early 30s, his name would not appear on a car until 1949. When it did, it graced one of the greatest sports cars of all time: the Porsche 356. After Porsche started production with a small series of aluminum cars built in Gmünd, Porsche began mass production of the steel-bodied 356 coupé at its old base in Stuttgart, first in a building shared with coachbuilders Reutter and then (from 1955) in the original factory in Zuffenhausen.
The work of Ferry Porsche, the 356 was based on the Volkswagen designed by his father, and like the immortal 'Beetle' it used a platform-type chassis with rear-mounted air-cooled engine and fully independent torsion bar suspension. Regularly revised and updated, Porsche's historic sports car would remain in production well into the 911 era, with the last examples built in 1965.
Convertibles were produced from the start of 356 production, but the first open Porsche to have a significant impact was the Speedster, introduced in 1954 following the successful reception in the US of a batch of 15 special roadsters. With sales declining, the Speedster was dropped in 1958 and replaced by the more civilized Convertible D, which differed mainly in its larger windscreen and wind-up side windows, the latter replacing the Speedster's side screens. Overall the new car was 3½ inches (89 mm) larger. Overall, the 356A Convertible D was a slightly more practical car than the Speedster, with a more protective windscreen, good side windows and more comfortable seats, while retaining the original's beautiful body lines and downward sloping beltline loved by Type 356 enthusiasts stayed.
As its favorite coachbuilder Reutter struggled to keep up with ever-increasing demand, Porsche outsourced the convertible's bodywork to a number of different coachbuilders. The production of the Convertible D was carried out by Drauz from Heilbronn, hence the suffix 'D'. When the restyled Porsche 356B arrived in September 1959, convertible production was transferred to d'Ieteren in Brussels. The 356A Convertible D model is one of the rarest Porsche 356 models, with only 1.331 produced between August 1958 and September 1959. It is ironic that those 356 models that 'used to be' the cheapest – the Roadster, Speedster and Convertible D – are now some of the most expensive.
This very rare and highly sought after Porsche 356 Convertible D was delivered new to the USA and remained there until the mid-1600s when its California-based owner sold it to a German collector, who added it to his stable of fine European classic cars . He never registered the car in Germany and it is believed that he used it only sparingly or not at all. The accompanying (copy) build sheet shows that the original color scheme was rubinrot (ruby red) with black interior, and lists Phoenix whitewall tires, VS bumpers, an exterior mirror, perforated wheels and reclining seats as special features. The engine currently installed is a 612 S of the correct type (2/XNUMX).
Finished in a very attractive color combination of period-correct Aquamarine Blue (colour code '5707') with brown leather and a black bonnet, the Porsche was restored several years ago but still looks very good. The current seller states that the brakes will be overhauled in time for the auction. The car is offered with the old American title; a German customs form confirming that EU duties have been paid; a Porsche 356 owner's manual (in English); and an expertise from a German TÜV-approved classic car advisor, which shows that it is in 'Condition 2' (good).
A rare, attractive and practical alternative to the 356 Speedster in a striking color combination, with the added advantage of being a 1600 S with the more powerful 75 hp engine.
