Named at the suggestion of US importer Max Hoffman, the rare, one-year-only 356 Continental marks a fascinating moment during Porsche’s earliest years in the American marketplace. Unwittingly, Porsche’s marketing efforts attracted the attention of the mighty Ford Motor Company, which had already established the Continental Division as its flagship marque. The evocative Continental name was soon discontinued due to legal concerns, making the few 356s offered in 1955 under that moniker highly sought-after among collectors.

This 1955 Porsche 356 Continental Coupe was factory-finished in Turkish Red with yellow leatherette upholstery and specially equipped with a speedometer calibrated in miles. It was sold new on July 7, 1956, by the Stinnes Porsche dealership in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany. Under the “Car Owner” field of the Kardex, the first entry is simply “Canada,” possibly indicating the first owner was a Canadian military member who took European delivery. Dealer service was performed on three occasions in 1956, and the last handwritten entries are dated 1961.

Eventually shipped to North America, this Continental is believed to have migrated to Houston, where it was reportedly owned by a submarine commander. When the Porsche broke down in Benson, Arizona, while en route to Los Angeles, it was towed to nearby Precision Motors in Tucson. Since the required parts were not on hand, the owner traded the car for a Jaguar to complete his journey. Jack Rowe, the owner of Precision Motors, soon sold the Continental to Carl Nelson, owner of Silver Star Motors, a Mercedes-Benz repair shop also located in Tucson. He owned the car until his passing in 1997. Chuck Croteau, a local Porsche restorer and technician, who had long known of the car, acquired it after Mr. Nelson’s passing and performed a complete, bare-metal restoration of the vehicle that was completed circa 2000. According to information on file, the Porsche retained its original paint, body panels, and floors prior to restoration. Mr. Croteau eventually sold the car to a local collector in 2005, and in 2022, it was acquired by another Arizona-based collector.

The Continental Coupe is presented here in its factory-specified Turkish Red that remains show-quality, notwithstanding selective touch-ups as required. In addition, its body panels retain their “35” number stampings, matching the last two digits of the chassis number. Trimmed with light upholstery, the restored interior features a fold-down rear bench and matching door panels, plus oatmeal square-weave carpets and black rubber floor mats, a Telefunken radio, glove box, passenger-side grab handle, and translucent sun visors.

The 1,500 cc engine, the matching-number unit per the accompanying Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, was rebuilt and features correct components including ignition, carburetors, and air cleaners, plus an Abarth-style tuned exhaust. Correct 16" wheels wear Avon tires. In addition to a tool kit including a tire gauge, this Porsche rarity is documented by a COA, Kardex copy, and judging sheets from its four PCA event entries. Accolades included Best in Class at the 2023 Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance in Seabrook, Texas.

Professionally restored, handsomely preserved, and benefiting from long-term ownership in dry, sunny Arizona since 1962, this marks an outstanding opportunity to acquire an exceedingly rare, one-year-only “Pre-A” 356 Continental.