1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A (Early Porsche Test Car)
Designer: Ferdinand Porsche

Estimate: $275,000 - $315,000

Chassis Number: 51465
Engine: 1500CC, Rear- Mounted, Air Cooled
Two Solex 32 PBI carburetors
4-Speed Transmission
Odometer: 53,550 Miles Showing

• Served for 7 months as a test car for Porsche
• Unmolested with authentic patina
• Several prototype Parts
• Kardex and COA Documented
• 5 Original Date Coded Wheels

The Model: The 356 model set the cannon for all Porsches to come. It was light and nimble. It was low and sleek, and quickly racers learned the little German autos were a fast track to the top of the podium. But before the up-and-comers were imported to the U.S., there was a period of development that gave them some separation from its Volkswagen lineage and started their new identity that was purely Porsche. This learning period for Porsche’s first production model, the 356, became known as the Pre-A. During the Pre-A years, the 356 would see the replacement of the two-piece windshield with a V-shaped windshield and a much improved synchromesh transmission. Power was also upgraded with the expansion of the 1100cc and 1300cc engines to the 1500cc power plant, boosting power to 60 HP. Importation of the new cars, by the now famous Max Hoffman, began in earnest in 1954 making the Pre-A examples exceedingly rare in the United States.

The Car: The authentically aged all around patina provides unmatched character; added to its provenance and unique history it truly makes this Pre-A a very special car. From the time this 356 was born it was part of Porsche’s history and development. As the young automaker was improving their new 356 design, they often tested things as they went along, like the 1500 cc engine that was new to the platform. This particular car’s kardex is marked with the German word “versuch”, that translates to “test”, tagging it as part of Porsche’s development program. After being completed on December 7th, 1953, the Porsche factory kept this car for exactly 6 months. During this time, it is believed that the test mule was put through its paces by the manufacturer. Before selling the 356 to an American soldier, who had befriended one of the factories personnel, they replaced the engine with a motor dated coded for 1954. When the soldiers time in Germany was complete he shipped the car back to his home in Arizona where the car rested until his passing 40 years later.

Kept warm and dry for nearly half a century, this Pre-A is largely as the factory intended it. It was given a respray in 1973 but has otherwise been unchanged. While the years of service do show cosmetically, extensive effort was recently given to sort the mechanical issues the resting car had, resulting in a well tuned, very drivable Porsche.

With a litany of both desirable and rare features like the brass distributor cover plate, and the prototype transmission mount, this is a truly historically significant piece in the Porsche story. With a provenance authenticated by the kardex and the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, this rare look at Porsche's past will certainly be looked at as a one-of-a-kind collector car. If you like to talk about your collection and like to tell their unique stories, this 356 will be the highlight of your collection.