Silverstone Auctions are proud to have sold some of the UK's most significant Porsches over the last decade, however, to be able to offer what is believed to be the earliest existing UK, AFN-delivered, right-hand drive car is truly special.

The original AFN sales card shows that it was first registered on 1-4-1954 as a demonstrator with the UK registration number, 345 BMG, and was finished in Adria Blau with a grey interior. An invoice shows that AFN paid Porsche £1,515 4s 7d all taxes paid for the privilege.

Some eight months later, 345 BMG was sold to a Mr. Brown for £1,450.00 on December 17th 1954. He used the Porsche till September 1955 before trading it back to AFN for £1,336.00 against a similar model, registration 229 FMG. It was then sold to Weston & Wallace with a partial loan of £875 from the United Dominion Trust. By late 1957 it was back with AFN and then sold to a G. Clarke for £1,048 and six shillings. The next owner was a Mrs. Lerigo who subsequently transferred it to her husband Victor Lerigo in November 1995. By December 2011, it had found its way to Porsche specialist Roger Bray. There were two further owners prior to our vendor who set about the restoration of this very significant, early 356 Pre-A.

All preparation of the bodywork was entrusted to Marriott Coachworks with the emphasis on retaining as many of the well preserved panels as possible, however, in the event it was only the floors that had to be replaced due to jacking damage over its life. The result is as near perfect as a 356 can be with all the purity of the original body lines and early characteristics and matching numbers.  The mechanical work was carried out by renowned Porsche specialists, The Project Shop of Bicester.

This lovely Porsche 356 Pre-A can rightfully be described as part the genesis for all UK Porsche sales and a foothold that has powered the brand ever since. A very welcome addition to any collection and rightfully acknowledged for its iconic purity of design.