1963 Porsche 356 Carrera 2

Porsche's first production car, the 356 brought the marque enduring fame around the world and its reliability, performance and wonderfully entertaining handling have guaranteed it a keen following. Inspired by the Fiat-based Cisitalias of Piero Dusio, Dr Ferdinand Porsche had decided to follow the same path with a car using Volkswagen components.

The first 356 was sold in July 1948 and production continued right through to 1965 in various guises and with numerous engines. As the company's first production model, the Porsche 356 set a new standard for small sports cars and gained its laurels in all manner of motor sport disciplines including racing and rallying.

In October 1955 the 356A model was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show with numerous improvements and three body styles were now offered, the coupe, the Speedster and the cabriolet, all built by Reutter in Stuttgart. Of particular note was the simultaneous launch of the Four Cam Series which was named Carrera after the Mexican road race in which Porsche had done so well.

Designed by the talented Ernst Fuhrman and boasting twin overhead camshafts per bank of cylinders, roller bearings, dual ignition and dry-sump lubrication, the 1,498cc Type 547 engine, already seen in later 550 RS race models from 1955, had become one of the most successful in motor racing, and it would lead to the development off all Porsche's subsequent air-cooled, overhead camshaft engines.

A total of five engine options were available for the 356A, the 1.3 litre 1300 and 1300S, the 1.6 litre 1600 and 1600S and the 1.5 litre 1500 GS, the latter the four camshaft unit developing 110bhp at 6,200rpm; with it the Carrera model was capable of 0-60mph in just 11.5 seconds and a top speed in excess of 120mph.

Carrera versions were recognisable by their dual exhaust tailpipes, the oil tank filler protruding from the left rear wheel arch and gold coloured lettering bearing the name on the back of the car and the front wings. The 356B model followed in 1959 with revised bumpers, more interior space and improved brakes and for Carrera variants the four camshaft engine, now of 1,587cc and no longer using a roller bearing crankshaft, amongst other detail changes, was re-designated the Type 692.

For 1961 came another engine change with the revised Type 587 four camshaft engine, with a capacity of 1,966cc and producing 130bhp at 6,200rpm, for the potent Carrera 2 (the 2 standing for two litres) which was capable of over 125mph and impressive 0-60mph acceleration in under 10 seconds, the latter bettering many larger engined sports and GT cars. The type C, the definitive version of the 356, which continued with similarly updated Carrera models, was replaced by the 911 and 912 when production finally ceased in 1965. As the top of the range models from Stuttgart during the late-Fifties and very early Sixties, the fabulous Carreras remain amongst the most sought-after and highly prized of all Porsches.

One of only 437 Carrera 2s produced in either 356B or 356C guise, this stunning example has had an extremely interesting life. Finished in Ivory white with black leather interior, YKE250A is the former property of legendary motorcycle and grand prix car world champion John Surtees, who remains the only person to have won World Championships on both two and four wheels.

Mr Surtees owned the car for approximately 20 years, after purchasing it from a Mr Novak of Chicago, USA. It remained one of the jewels of Mr Surtees' collection, with very little use, until two years ago, when ownership passed to fellow racing driver Mr John Coombs, of Coombs Jaguar racing fame.

In 1998, Mr Surtees decided it would be appropriate to have the car refreshed and restored, and to that end, the cosmetics and electrical work were completed by Team Surtees themselves to absolutely the highest possible standard of workmanship.

Meanwhile, the mechanical work on the car was entrusted to Robert Garretson, who is one of the foremost Porsche 4-cam specialists in Europe, who fully rebuilt the engine and other mechanical components, with all the parts necessary coming from Porsche themselves.

Since this restoration, the car is believed to have covered a mere 1,200 miles, with the odometer now displaying a genuine 19,820 miles. In addition, Mr Coombs' own retained specialist mechanic, Barry Beeson, confirms that the car requires no further work, and describes it as a superb example of the model.

This outstanding matching-numbers Porsche is possibly one of the finest and most desirable of its type ever to grace the public marketplace. Highly recommended and a potential jewel in the crown of any serious Porsche collection.