Description
Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this stunning Australian delivered, factory right hand drive 1956 Porsche 356 A 1600 Coupe.
There is a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity on file dated 9th September 1996 which confirms this car was ordered with the following specifications: colour: Sahara Beige (paint code 5604), optional equipment: right hand drive steering, Telefunken Radio ID 61 and an antenna. Porsche has subsequently confirmed the car was delivered new through Porsche dealer Hamilton in Australia.
As with many 356’s this car has had an engine and gearbox change at some stage in its life. The engine and gearbox fitted to the car are both the correct type and the numbers are very close to what was originally in the car. The current gearbox is date stamped 96 which translates to September 1956.
This car has an excellent history file with documentation and receipts going all the way back to 1982. Its previous early history is not known.
In the early 1980’s this car was owned by Bruce Mitchell from Brisbane. There are numerous receipts on file from when Mitchell owned this car and they all indicate he was in the process of carrying out a restoration. That project must have come to a halt at some stage as the car was advertised as a restoration project when the current owner acquired the car from Mitchell in 1995.
The current owner is a ‘Porsche tragic’ and he had been on the hunt for an early 356 restoration project for some time. When this car came up for sale it was exactly what he was looking for. Being familiar with Porsches he was well aware that 356’s can have a number of potential (expensive) issues and he had a specialist check the car out first. After getting the green light, he went ahead and purchased the car. The bonus was it came with lots of new parts.
The owner had a very clear vision. He wanted to return the car to ‘as new’ condition but to his taste with some subtle improvements and modifications. He chose to finish the car in the original Porsche colour of graphite grey metallic.
First step in the project was finding someone who would take on the restoration of the body. That was easier said than done. Several well known specialists were approached before the owner eventually decided to use the services of Joe Wilson of Veteran and Vintage Services, who at that time was located in Moorooka, QLD.
Upon arrival at Wilson’s workshop the car was dismantled, the underbody sealant was removed and the body was sandblasted. It soon became apparent that this was going to be a bigger job than anyone had anticipated. The car needed new sills and a new floor. The area in the front boot below the spare wheel was also badly affected by corrosion and needed to be replaced. At some stage the car had been fitted with a canvas sunroof. The car came with a replacement roof which was fitted. Lots of parts were purchased from Melbourne based Porsche specialist Hardt Industries. The owner wanted to do things right and when in doubt a part was replaced.
Once all the bodywork was finished, Wilson sourced the correct paint colour code and formula through Hardt Industries and then painted the car in two-pack Glasurit. All the chrome work was done by A1 Quality Chrome. The engine and gearbox were completely rebuilt by Arthur Lewis. The mechanical work was extensive and the car was completely rewired with a new wiring loom. The interior was trimmed by Steve Fawcett at F&H Trimming and all the instruments were refurbished by Lionel Otto Instruments. At that time the odometer was reset to zero. The project was eventually completed in 2001.
Shortly after the restoration was completed the car was entered into the Porsche Club Queensland Concours d’Elegance. The owner was rewarded for all his efforts as the car won Best of Show.
Over the next few years, the car was used and enjoyed and during that time it was regularly serviced. In 2011 Brisbane based Porsche specialists DHM upgraded the car’s electrical system to 12 volts.
The most recent comprehensive service was carried out in May 2023 by DHM. At that time the odometer read 4, 309 miles.
Today the odometer reads 4, 434 miles.
This Porsche 356 A certainly has a presence about it. The colour is striking and it really suits the car. The contrasting tan interior is a perfect colour contrast and you cannot miss the fitted luggage!
Despite now being considered an older restoration the paint on this car has aged really well. It has retained a strong depth of colour and high gloss finish. You have to look very hard to find any imperfections. We only found one very small stone chip on the bonnet and very small scratch, less than 5mm long, on the edge of the driver’s door. All the bright work on the car is in very good condition. The same can be said for all the glass, lights and lenses. The only thing we noticed is that the rubber around the rear tail lights is showing a few cracks.
The fully chromed wheels on this car are 5. 5” wide instead of the standard 4. 5”. This allows for some wider tyres to be fitted, giving the car a slightly more aggressive stance. The wheels are in near new condition with no sign of any kerb rash. They are shod with Michelin Energy XM2 tyres, size 195/ 65 R15, which are date stamped 1415 (week 14, 2015). The tyres are still in very good condition.
Open the door and you are welcomed by a very sophisticated looking interior. Tan is the perfect colour for this car’s interior. Everything is also in excellent condition and beautifully presented. The fitted luggage set in the back, which the owner acquired at great expense from JNG Creations in Pittsboro, USA, is a real feature. There is also a matching case under the bonnet. After having admired the interior, we slide in behind the beautiful wood rimmed Derrington steering wheel. The seats are firm and comfortable and provide ample support. The dashboard, whilst simple, is beautiful and all the instruments are in excellent condition. Looking around it is hard to fault this interior. The only thing we noticed is some very minor wear on the outside of the bolster of the driver’s seat, most likely caused by the seat belt. A good leather doctor could easily correct this.
It was with great expectation that we took this car out for our test drive and a photo shoot. The first thing you notice when you start the car is what a difference the 12 volt conversion makes. With the original 6 volt system a 356 can sometimes be a bit difficult to start. This car starts easily, pretty much at first crank and then quickly settles into a smooth idle. After allowing the engine a little bit of time to warm up it was time to hit the road. After selecting first gear we nosed the car into the morning traffic.
First impressions of this car are good, in fact . . . they are really good. The engine responds well to the slightest movement of the throttle and the car just wants to go. The gearbox feels smooth and the gear changes are direct and firm. The suspension feels solid without being hard and the steering gives you just the right amount of feedback. The brakes pull the car up quickly and in a straight line when needed.
We are pleased to report that this car drives every bit as good as it looks!
Whilst this Porsche 356 A has only travelled just under 4, 500 miles since it was restored, this restoration has clearly stood the test of time. The car is a credit to its owner as well as everyone involved in the restoration and its subsequent maintenance.
It is easy to buy a cheap Porsche 356 but as the owner of this car discovered there is a lot involved and it is a costly exercise to restore one to this level.
Accompanying the car is an owner’s manual, a toolkit, a jack, a spare wheel, a very unique custom luggage set and a good history file. The history file includes two Australian Classic Car magazines from December 2003 and January 2004 in which the whole story of the restoration of this car is described.
Highlights:
- Australian delivered, factory RHD 356 A.
- An older but high quality, meticulous restoration.
- Great colour combination.
- Unique custom luggage set.
- Very well presented car, ready to use and enjoy.
Price AUD $249, 950.
Background:
The Porsche story is a fascinating one and its roots go back to the 1930’s when Professor Ferdinand Porsche was instrumental in the design of the first Volkswagen and also Auto Union race cars. By 1939 he had built three Porsche cars to compete in the 800-mile race from Berlin to Rome. Unfortunately, the race was cancelled due to the war and Porsche was forced to focus on supporting the German war effort, however, he had always wanted to build his own cars. In 1944 Porsche was forced to leave Stuttgart and he set up a small operation in Gmünd, Austria. Soon after the Porsche family and many of their engineers were captured and sent to jail. Ferdinand Porsche’s son. Ferdinand junior, or ‘Ferry’ as he was known, was released six months later and he returned to Gmünd to rebuild the family company. Things moved quickly and Porsche was involved with cars again and in mid-1948 the first Porsche 356 was built. It is understood Porsche built some 50 aluminium bodied cars by hand in their small factory at Gmünd before relocating back to Stuttgart, Germany in 1949.
Instead of building the body of the car himself Porsche decided to collaborate with an old partner, the body manufacturing company Reutter who had both the expertise and infrastructure to mass produce the bodies for the 356 coupe and cabriolet.
Nowadays, the first series of the 356, built from 1948 through until 1955 are known as the 356 Pre A.
In 1955 the 356 A was introduced. The internal factory designation for this model was ‘Type 1’ which was quickly adapted by enthusiasts who referred to the 356 A as the ‘T1’. The 356 A became available as a coupe, cabriolet and a Speedster. Buyers had the choice between a 1, 300cc and a 1, 600cc engine and later the Super version.
A second revision of the 356 A was introduced early in 1957. It became known as the ‘Type 2’ (or T2). Late 1958 the Speedster was replaced by the Convertible D which was now build by coachbuilder Drauz. Late 1959 the 356 A was replaced by the 356 B.
The 356 remained in production through until 1965 and evolved into one of the most successful sports cars ever built.
