1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A Speedster

Porsche’s remarkable 356 placed the Zuffenhausen company firmly on the automotive map during the 1950s. Conceived by Ferdinand Porsche as a lightweight, rear-engined sports car derived in part from Volkswagen Beetle underpinnings, the model evolved over more than 15 years into a technically sophisticated and beautifully resolved machine.

The earliest 356s were powered by a Volkswagen-derived 1, 086cc flat-four producing 40hp, with larger capacity engines introduced as development progressed. By the early 1950s, continual refinements brought increased performance, improved braking and greater usability, culminating in the highly regarded Pre-A cars - now prized for their purity of design and relative rarity.

Built at the instigation of Porsche’s North American importer, Max Hoffman, the Speedster was conceived as a pared-back, open-top version of the 356. Lightweight, purposeful and relatively affordable, it proved highly successful in the United States, particularly among amateur racers competing in SCCA events. Approximately 920 Pre-A Speedsters were produced before the introduction of later developments, with just 1, 234 Pre-A cars built in total prior to the arrival of the 356A in 1956.

The left-hand drive Speedster offered here is an early example, being the 347th car produced and the accompanying Kardex confirms completion on 3rd March 1955, prior to delivery to Hoffman’s in New York City.

While little is known of the car’s earliest history, it was subsequently enjoyed for over two decades by a UK owner based in Monaco. In his ownership, respected specialists including Sportwagen and JAZ Porsche attended to the car, with maintenance including a recent service, supported by documentation on file. More recently, the car has formed part of a significant private Collection, during which time it has been carefully preserved.

Today, the Speedster is attractively presented in Dunkelblau with a grey leatherette interior and sits on a desirable set of Rudge knock-off alloy wheels. The Kardex notes its original colour as Signal Red, and the car now benefits from a more powerful 1, 600cc engine, enhancing its usability in modern driving conditions.

This is very much a car to be driven and enjoyed. It does not purport to be a concours-restored, matching numbers example with continuous history from new; rather, it represents an honest, engaging and highly usable early Speedster. For the enthusiast seeking an authentic driving experience combined with undeniable presence and rarity, it offers a compelling proposition.

Thanks in part to its association with figures such as James Dean and Steve McQueen, the 356 Speedster has long been one of the most desirable of all early sports cars and today, any Pre-A Speedster sits firmly amongst the most collectable of all Porsches, with enduring appeal and a devoted global following.