1960 Porsche 356B Roadster

Development and production of the Model 356 were overseen by Dr.Ferdinand Porsche and his son 'Ferry' in the late 1940s. The coachwork was designed by Austrian engineer Erwin Komenda. When the Porsche 356 entered production, it would remain there for 18 years with total production nearing 80,000 cars.

Porsche introduced Erwin Komenda's new T5 body style in 1960. Along with the styling changes came a name change to '356B.' German coachbuilder Drauz Karosserieswerke built both the Convertible (Drauz) and 356B bodies. The T5 models had a flatter hood and larger, higher bumpers. The 'Roadster' coachwork served as a replacement for the Convertible D and just 2,563 examples were produced during its production run. The T5 was later replaced by the T6 in 1962, and was produced briefly by Belgian coachbuilders D'Ieteren Frères S.A.

There were a total of 2,653 Drauz Roadsters produced between 1960 and 1962.

This Porsche 356B 1600 T5 Super 90 Roadster is one of just 560 produced in 1959 and is one of the first of the 1960 production model year. It was delivered to Porsche distributor Max Hoffman in New York on December 22nd. A customer from Riverside, California became the car's first owner. It retains its original Californian black plates, has had three owners since new, and has just 74,000 original miles. Options on this car include the higher compression 1600 Super engine, rare factory Rudge knock-off wheels, roadster seats, in-dash cigar lighter, deluxe horn, original books, keys and factory tool kit. The car has been given a nut-and-bolt restoration, is a matching numbers example, and is finished in its original color combination of ivory (Elfenbeing) over red (Rot).

In 2012, this vehicle was offered for sale at the Amelia Island sale presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $175,000 - $225,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $242,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2012