1960 Porsche 356B Cabriolet


Details

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, however, the race was cancelled due to the war. Porsche was forced to focus on supporting the German war effort, however, he had always wanted to build his own cars and that dream lived on. 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 was known, was released six months later and he returned to Gmund to rebuild the family company. Things moved quickly and Porsche was involved with cars again and shortly thereafter in mid-1948 the first Porsche 356 was built. It is understood Porsche built some 50 hand built aluminium bodied cars in their small factory at Gmünd before relocating back to Stuttgart, Germany. The rest they say is history as the 356 evolved into one of the most successful sports cars ever built. The 356’s did well in competition all over the world and its greatest success was perhaps a class win at Le Mans in 1951.

The 356 evolved through time and the early cars today known today as ‘Pre A’ models were built until 1955, superseded by the 356A (built from 1955 – 1959), the 356B (built from 1959 – 1963) and the 356C (built from 1963 – 1965). The 356 was built as a coupe, cabriolet, speedster, roadster and convertible.

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer a 1960 Porsche 356B Cabriolet. The Kardex on file indicates this car was sold new in Lubeck, Germany and was left hand drive. Little is known of the cars early history, however, at some stage it found its way to Australia and was converted to right hand drive.

The car is being sold from a deceased estate. It was acquired by the current family owners in circa 2008 and was a ‘running driving car’ at the time. Its then new owners enjoyed the car for a year or so before deciding to embark on restoring the body and re-trimming the car. The owner stripped the car himself and had the body repaired as necessary and repainted. Following his passing in 2010 the car sat in limbo for a few years until the family decided the car should be finished and sold. The car was re-assembled and re-trimmed and it has recently been mechanically sorted by a Porsche 356 specialist.

At some stage the car has had its original engine replaced with a similar engine from a 1959 Australian delivered 356A Cabriolet.

Today the car presents and drives beautifully. The paint work remains vibrant and all of the trim is in good condition. The interior and soft top are ‘as new’ and the cockpit is a lovely place to be. The car drives well and it now needs a new owner to get it on the road and put some miles on the clock!


Specification

  • Porsche 356B Cabriolet
  • 1960
  • Convertible
  • Manual
  • 00072 Km
  • 1582cc

SOLD

Register interest if a similar car becomes available