1955 Porsche 355 Speedster Super 1600

Description

Chassis Number: 81048

Decoded: 81048=356 (Pre-A) Body and chassis number

Engine: 1582 cc Horizontally Opposed 4-cylinder

2xZenith 32NDIX 1-Barrel Carburetors/ 70 bhp

4--Speed Manual Transmission

Four Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

Mileage: 48,662 (Showing on Odometer)

• Well Documented History

• Fresh and Ready to Enjoy

• One of the Most Desired Early Porsche Models

The Model –To say that Max Hoffman had a direct influence on the sports car scene in the USA during the early to late 1950’s would be pretty much spot-on. As the leading Porsche customer, he approached the factory and asked for an “entry-level” model that could be used as a daily driver, albeit in fair weather, and on weekends, taken to the local road races and allow the owners to compete at real racing venues. The Speedster was about a bare-bones as you could get, no sound insulation, a single unlined lift-up top, side curtains rather than roll-up windows and a savings of over 200 pounds and $900 over the 356 Cabriolet. With an aerodynamic styling that gave it one of the lowest coefficient of drag ratings in automotive history, the Speedster in roadster form, would live from 1954 to 1958 and leave a legend in its wake.

The Car - This unique vehicle was built at the end of Pre-A era just as the 356A was gearing up for production. According to the factory Kardex, 81048 was fitted with a 356A engine and was sold as an “A” model. Along the way that factory engine was lost and today it is powered by a 1958 era 1600 Super powerplant. Triple Black in color, the original seats were replaced with proper era buckets from a coupe, a common practice back in the 1950’s. It is fitted with the hard-to-find Pre-A style gauges that used the curved glass to reduce glare and they are all functional. All cosmetics have been restored to high standards and its performance on the open road is smooth and sweet with easy shifting and lightning quick response. A lot of history, a lot of fun and a lot of memorable miles lie ahead for the next owner of this sporty roadster.