Porsche 356 A 1500 GS Carrera Speedster

The Porsche 356

The Porsche 356 was launched in 1948 as the first series model of the sports car brand from Zuffenhausen and is also referred to as the "original Porsche". The first series ("Pre-A") was produced until 1955. In October of that year, the 356 A was presented as a modified successor. The successful Porsche 356 series was continued until 1965 in the development stages B, C and SC. The engine was always an air-cooled four-cylinder boxer with various power levels. The available body styles were Coupé, Cabriolet, Speedster and at times Convertible D. It was not until 1963 that the 356 was replaced by the Porsche 901/911.

Variant Carrera: In 1955, the sports version of the 356 A, the "1500 GS" (Gran Sport) or Carrera, was launched. Its engine was based on the high-performance engine newly developed in 1953 for the legendary 550 Spyder racing car. The engine by Porsche engineer Ernst Fuhrmann uses four overhead camshafts for the four-cylinder boxer engine (type 547), which is only 1.5 litres in size, and is driven via king shafts for high speed stability and exact adherence to the valve timing. This thoroughbred racing engine with dual ignition, light alloy cylinders and dry sump lubrication had an output of 110 hp and is also known as the "king shaft" engine. The success of racing driver Hans Herrmann in the Carrera Panamericana endurance race in Mexico led to the name "Carrera". A "civilian" version of this engine was used in the Porsche 356 A and produced 100 hp. In addition, the Carrera models had lightweight bonnets to reduce weight.

Variant Speedster: In 1954, the model range was expanded by the Speedster variant. Initially built for export only, it goes back to the US importer Max Hoffman, who wanted a simple basic model for the US market. In particular individualists on the West Coast appreciated the excellent driving characteristics of the compact fast sports car and made Porsche popular and successful in the USA. The open sports car had a flatter windscreen. The soft top is lower than on the standard convertible and fully retractable. The doors have simple plug-in windows instead of crank windows. Its sporty note is underpinned by the bucket seats. From 1955, the Speedster was also available with the 1500 GS Carrera engine.

This vehicle

This Porsche 356 A 1500 GS Carrera Speedster was completed on 20 March 1957 according to the available Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and was delivered via the well-known US importer Max Hoffman. The delivery included the US-typical sealed-beam headlights and the so-called overrider bumpers. Its original colour scheme was white with interior and soft top in black. The base price of the 356 Speedster was just under 3,000 USD at the time – but selecting the "Carrera" option made it more than a third more expensive. This underlines the special status and exclusivity of the "Carrera" engine with its famous king-shaft construction. The first owner in 1957 was Arnold D. Ladd in Whippany, New Jersey, who owned the car until 1966. Then he sold it with only 17,000 miles to Tim Dykman in New York. The latter kept the Speedster until March 1968, when he passed it on to its third owner (name known) in San Carlos, California, with 25,000 miles. In November 1969, the next owner (name known) in Berkeley, California, took delivery of the 356 and kept the car for over 40 (!) years until 2010. In the following the subsequent owner acquired the Carrera Speedster with only 29,135 miles on the clock and had it extensively restored over two years in the USA. 

The car was completely disassembled in order to be able to carry out all metal work in the best possible way. The entire technology including engine, gearbox, chassis/floor assembly, brake system, electrics and instruments was also overhauled. In addition, the car was repainted in the original colour and the interior was completely renewed. The installed engine is type-correct (type 547/1) for model and year of construction. Subsequently, the Speedster was presented and awarded at various concours events. In 2014, the Porsche came to Germany to its last owner in a large collection. Since then, it has been perfectly "stored" and not used. This 356 1500 GS Carrera Speedster is in excellent overall condition. A high-quality and puristic Porsche 356 in the rare combination of Carrera engine and Speedster body – ideal for a top-class Porsche collection.