This Porsche Speedster survivor is a really cool car and is poised for the next chapter in its life. Said to likely have spent its entire life near Dallas, Texas, the car was put into storage around 1983. It is up for auction later this month and you can read more about it here on RM Sotheby’s website and there are also a bunch of large high-resolution photos detailing every aspect of the car. The car is offered with no reserve and a catalog estimate of $125,000 to $150,000. The car is being sold at the Porsche 70th Anniversary Auction on October 27, 2018, in Atlanta, Georgia.
![356 356](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125841017/978069796.jpg)
Unfortunately, the exact ownership history of chassis 83799 is not known. The auction ad does state “After being shipped to Max Hoffman’s distributorship in New York City, 83799 was dispatched to its selling dealer and thence to its first owner. While its early history is unknown, it appears quite likely that this Speedster was first sold and spent most or all its life in or near Dallas, Texas, where the current owner purchased it around 1983 with the intent of restoring it. Instead, after sanding off most of the paint, the owner put the car into storage…”
The ad says the engine is original and left the factory as number 81253. “…retains its original 1600 pushrod four-cylinder, air-cooled engine, and four-speed transmission, as documented by a copy of its Kardex and Porsche Production Specification certificate.” The plug wires and a few other small parts look new. The engine is said to run and has about 70,000 original miles on it.
![Porsche 356 1600 Super Speedster Porsche 356 1600 Super Speedster](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125841017/328223239.jpg)
Regarding the interior, the ad states: “It was also optionally equipped with coupe seats, rather than the standard Speedster buckets that lacked an adjustable backrest. Although the original paint and interior colors are not listed, the door-jamb paint plate is stamped with code 608 for Silver metallic. That would have been matched with a red or black leatherette interior and a black canvas folding top with black Tonneau cover.” Unfortunately, the original seats have been replaced with Speedster buckets. I say unfortunately because I would assume original equipment would make the car slightly more valuable although Speedster seats are certainly more desirable.
1958 Porsche 356A T2 SUPER Cabriolet. 1st in class in Full Concour at the 33rd Annual 356 Club Southern California Concours which was held Sunday, July 21, 2019, at the Bella Collina Towne and Golf Club. 295.8 out of 300 possible points. The 356 Club of Southern California Concours is the largest 356 Porsche only judged event in the world. Green 1958 Porsche 356 (A) 1600 Super Speedster; 55 kW; Interior color - Brown; Left hand drive; Rear wheel drive; No sunroof; No cruise control; No air conditioning - Stuttcars.com.
Other features of this car include the following: original top with bows, metric gauges, new shocks, and U.S. spec bumpers. The ad is clear that a full restoration will require quite a bit of new sheet metal work. Even though the car is from Texas, it shows quite a bit of rust. What do you think about this car? Would you spend the money to restore it or drive it as-is?