Lot 009: 1957 PORSCHE 356A COUPE

Under the stewardship of son Ferry, the Professor Ferdinand Porsche Bureau of Design began work on its first post WW2 car in 1948. Known as Project 356, the lightweight machine featured a spaceframe chassis and mid-mounted powerplant. Although, victorious first time out (in the 1100cc class of the Innsbruck city race), it was too radical to become a production reality. Reconfigured around a platform chassis (complete with rear-mounted engine), it was duly homologated by the state government of K§rnten in Austria on June 8th 1948. Initially built at Gmund, the transfer of production to Zuffenhausen in 1950 facilitated a switch from hand-beaten aluminium to pressed-steel bodywork. Launched in 1955, the 356A was visually distinguished by its curved windscreen and sidelight-flanking air vents. Benefiting from the adoption of a steering damper as well as various tweaks to its all-round independent torsion bar suspension, it was powered by an improved 1582cc flat-four engine that could be had in either 60bhp (standard) or 75bhp (Sport) guises. Combining genuine 100mph performance with nimble handling, the 356A was highly praised by the contemporary motoring press. A rare sight on UK roads where it proved prohibitively expensive, some 21,045 are thought to have been sold worldwide between 1955 and 1959. Finished in silver with red upholstery, this particular right-hand drive example is described by the vendor as being in "very good" condition with regard to its 1582cc engine, four-speed manual gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, chassis, bodywork, paintwork and wheels / tyres. The subject of a restoration in 1994, it is said to have had its "engine rebuilt by Eric Studer" and to have "competed in the Brighton Speed Trials". Apparently still capable of "achieving 100mph", this rare RHD 356A is offered for sale with history file (original buff logbook, original handbook etc), MOT certificate valid until 28th August 2006, historic class (free) road tax until February 2007 and a "complete spare transmission" (including driveshafts) that was reportedly overhauled by the previous owner.