1956 Porsche 356

“An extremely attractive valuation for this model”

Among the most sought-after 356 models, the Speedster holds a special place in the Porsche world. Instantly recognisable by its low, wraparound windscreen, understated soft top, lowered waistline and two bucket seats, the Speedster was in fact a ‘budget’ version designed to compete with British sports cars. Whilst the concept originated with von Neumann, it was the East Coast distributor, Max Hoffman, who convinced Porsche that American buyers would be very keen on it.

Initially offered with a 1,500 cm³ flat engine, it was fitted with a new 1,600 engine with the arrival of the 356 A from 1955 onwards. Priced at $2,995, the Speedster was the lightest model in the 356 range, with improved performance enabling it to reach 160 km/h. Thanks to its exceptional handling, it immediately became a benchmark in the burgeoning American motor racing scene.

Combining style, performance and value for money, the Speedster established itself as an iconic model – a fact that remains firmly rooted in the minds of collectors. Our example is one of the first models to be fitted with the 1,582 cm³ flat-four engine with overhead camshafts, producing 60 ch at 4,500 rpm.

Our car appears to have spent most of its life in the Principality of Monaco! After a few years in the same ownership, in 2015 it joined the collection of a leading connoisseur of the make, who also owned, amongst other things, a magnificent 550 Spyder! He parted with this car ten years later, at which point it joined the current owner’s garage. Recently, a major mechanical overhaul was carried out to ensure it runs perfectly.

Now in fairly good overall condition, this Speedster boasts a lovely patina that is sure to delight enthusiasts of cars with a history. With such an attractive estimate for this model, don’t think about it for too long!