• Year of manufacture 
    2/1959
  • Mileage 
    90 804 km / 56 423 mi
  • Car type 
    Convertible / Roadster
  • Chassis number 
    151663
  • Drive 
    LHD
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Exterior brand colour 
    Meissen Blue
  • Interior colour 
    Red
  • Interior brand colour 
    Red Leatherette
  • Number of doors 
    2
  • Number of seats 
    4
  • Location
    Belgium
  • Exterior colour 
    Blue
  • Gearbox 
    Manual
  • Performance 
    60 PS / 45 kW / 60 BHP
  • Drivetrain 
    2wd
  • Fuel type 
    Petrol

Description

- Unique & desirable color combination
- Matching Numbers
- Beautiful restored condition
- Kardex, FIVA passport and US Title available
- Factory hardtop available

THE 356

The very first automobile built under Ferry Porsche's name was a one-off open roadster built in 1948. Although Porsche's first production cars were all coupes, Porsche's upscale customers would demand fresh air and comfort along with performance and good handling, so a new convertible model was offered alongside the coupe, beginning in 1952. The cabriolet had a fixed windshield frame, wind-up door glass, and a heavily-padded folding top. The cabriolet was Porsche's most luxurious body style, and no matter if it was equipped with a 60hp 1600 Normal, or the more potent "Super", which boasted 75 horses, or even the exotic four-cam Carrera borrowed from Porsche's racing program, this weather-tight convertible proved to be a very comfortable and rapid over-the-road conveyance.

Cabriolets were plush, well-equipped and expensive, and because of their price, relatively few were built each year. Porsche's adjoining Reutter coachwork plant produced only 447 cabriolets for model year 1959. The 356A design is highly coveted by enthusiasts because of its clean and simple curves, lower headlamps and bumpers; its rarity makes the cabriolet especially attractive.

THIS 356A T2 Cabriolet

This 356A cabriolet is a US-specification model, per its Kardex, and was completed on February 5th, 1959. The car was sold through Hoffman's New York based dealership, like so many at the time. Finished in its original color 5703 Meissen Blue with a red leatherette interior and black canvas folding top, the car left the factory with US-spec sealed-beam headlights and bumper guards with over-riders. The bright blue paint highlights an extremely straight body with excellent contours and panel fit.

It includes its original removable factory hardtop finished in contrasting white (not included in the price). The hardtop was manufactured by Karmann and offered by Porsche beginning in 1958. When installed, it bears a close resemblance to the later Karmann “Notchback” Coupes. A 1959 factory accessory catalogue advertised the hardtop at a factory retail price of $170. Many cabriolets delivered with hardtops, especially those in Europe, did not have folding fabric soft-tops making this example even more unique.

Little else is known of this car's history other than it is fitted with its original gearbox and engine. The owner bought the car in 2016 with 82.016 km's on the odo and he has enjoyed and carefully maintained it ever since. The car was fully restored and completed by the end of 2015, this restoration was done by the US-based 356 specialist George Wilkie from Meisterwerk .

Now indicating just over 90,810 kilometers at the time of cataloging, it is still in superb condition. Here is a very high quality and rare Porsche 356A T2 Cabriolet in an attractive color scheme for the enthusiast looking for enjoyable top-down touring or other club-level activities.