To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Sealed October event, Bidding Closes 28 October 2026.

• Overwhelmingly original and incredibly well preserved, including original engine, gearbox, paintwork, and interior
• U.S. delivery example now registered in Germany; acquired by current owners in 2015
• Currently showing 98,963 miles, believed to be original
• Shown in the Postwar Preservation Class at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
• Accompanied by a report by Porsche specialist Jochen Bader
• Truly one of the most exciting 356 Speedsters to come to market in recent memory

As the saying goes, a car is only original once, and it’s this special car’s overwhelming originality that makes this Porsche 356 A 1600 Speedster stand out from the crowd. Never restored over the course of the past seven decades, the level of originality and preservation of this landmark Porsche sportscar is truly incredible, a testament to all of its prior owners.

Delivered new via Max Hoffman’s famed New York City distributorship, chassis number 83554 was completed by Porsche in July 1957 and originally finished in Rubinrot (Ruby Red), with U.S. bumpers, sealed beam headlamps, and instruments in English, according to a copy of its original Kardex.

While not much is known about the car’s early life in the United States, a previous title from the state of Oklahoma is on file, showing that it was owned by Ms. Anne Brackett of Tulsa as of May 1984, when the odometer was noted as reading 92,000 miles. The car remained with the Brackett family until 2011, when it was purchased by Dirk Layer of Solvang, California. Under his ownership, the car was invited to the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance to compete within the Postwar Preservation class, and the car also completed the Tour d’Elegance. Mr. Layer later sold the car to a German enthusiast, who repatriated the 356 to its native Germany, where it was acquired by the father of the current owner in 2015.

A full report on the car undertaken by Porsche Specialist Jochen Bader was commissioned earlier this year, affirming the car’s sensational originality. In his report, Bader confirms not only that the car retains its original 1600 engine and type 644 gearbox, but that the paint, with the exception of a few small touchups, is original throughout. He found the interior to be completely original, right down to the original seat upholstery, carpets, and dashboard, with Sigla gauges with date codes corresponding to the build date of the car. Even the Speedster’s fuel tank is dated June 1957. The odometer currently displays 98,963 miles, and although this cannot be verified with 100% certainty, it is believed to be original. Please contact an RM Sotheby’s Car Specialist to see a full copy of the report.

This remarkable 356 Speedster shows its age beautifully, with the stone chips, small marks, and gentle wear one would expect of a car over 70 years old—a level of patina that simply cannot be replicated and, once restored, is gone forever. With careful mechanical recommissioning, the Speedster could be driven and enjoyed while preserving as much as possible of what time has left untouched. As a 1957 Porsche 356 A 1600, the car falls within the current eligibility framework of the 1000 Miglia and should be a strong candidate for its centenary edition in 2027.

Cars like this rarely come to market. For anyone who values originality more than restored
perfection, this is a truly unrepeatable opportunity to become the next custodian of one of the most remarkable 356s in existence.

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/s1026/.