The car presented here is an outstanding example of Porsche’s most beloved open sports car: the 356 A Speedster.

Originally priced at $2,995, well below Porsche’s more luxurious Coupe and Cabriolet models, the Speedster was equipped with a stylish, cut-down windscreen, racy bucket seats, minimal folding soft top, and side curtains in place of standard roll-up windows. These features reduced the car’s weight and made it well suited to competition use. Thanks to its outstanding race record, brilliant driving dynamics, and build quality, the featherweight Porsche became an instant favorite of sports car enthusiasts worldwide and has remained so ever since.

Completed on January 29, 1957, this Speedster, chassis 82932, is a late-production T-1 variant, which perfectly melds the aesthetic purity of the earliest 356 models with the many mechanical improvements introduced for the updated A series. According to Porsche records, this Speedster was destined for Hoffman Motors in New York City and finished in Signal Red (code 601) over black, among the most popular color combinations offered for the model.

Thomas Drummond of Costa Mesa, California, a well-known dealer specializing in Porsche 356s and early 911s, oversaw the complete restoration of this Speedster, which was completed in 2018. According to Mr. Drummond, the comprehensive process included stripping the bodywork to bare metal, repainting the car in its original Signal Red color, and then carefully reassembling the car with a keen eye for detail. As the cosmetic work progressed, the various mechanical systems were refurbished, serviced, or restored as needed, including an engine rebuild by Michael Jensen. As the process neared completion, K&H European Auto Upholstery trimmed the Speedster’s interior with proper black vinyl, red piping, and Oatmeal square-weave carpeting.

Significantly, this Speedster retains its original matching-numbers engine and transaxle per factory records and has benefited from sparing use while in the care of a Northern California collection. Presented today in lovely condition, the 356 is offered with a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and copy of the factory Kardex, along with a tool kit, jack, owner’s manual, and side curtains.

Delivering a pure, open-air driving experience, the Porsche 356 Speedster is among the most rewarding and iconic sports cars of all time. Professionally restored and beautifully presented, this particular example is eligible for a wide variety of exclusive events and is sure to provide motoring pleasure for years to come.