Description
Porsche’s Type 356, introduced in 1948, is acknowledged to be one of the world’s great sports cars and in 1951 an aluminium-bodied works car finished first in the 1,100cc class at the Le Mans 24-Hour Race and 20th overall, thus beginning the marque’s long and illustrious association with La Sarthe.
Over a 15-year production run, the handsome and durable 356 evolved from a streamlined little aluminium-bodied coupe powered by a VW-derived, 46bhp 1,100cc air-cooled flat four to a powerful autobahn burner carrying a complex, two-litre four-cam boxer Carrera engine of 130bhp. Its development brought not only coupes, but luxurious cabriolets and more spartan speedsters and roadsters.
This wonderful early Pre-A Coupe was manufactured in 1952 destined for the newly emerging market of the United States. Delivered to its lucky first owner in January of 1953, the 356 was repatriated to the German around 10 years ago. In current ownership the 356 has been extensively restored to a high standard, having covered only a handful of kilometres since being returned to the road. Finished in Modegrau (Fashion Grey) with a beautiful Bordeaux red leather interior, and offered with German registration papers and an extensive valuation report, this is an excellent example of arguably the prettiest of Porsche designs from the last 60 or so years.
