Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
Porsche's first attempt at the 24 Hours of Le Mans grueling race was in 1951. Their entry was two of the last 11 aluminum-bodied pre-356 cars that had been built by Tatra in Vienna. The bodies were lighter and stronger than the steel shells that replaced them. The completed cars were dubbed the 356 SL (Super Light) and offered a great deal of competition in their class wherever they competed.
In modern times, seven of the last 11 cars still survive, along with several aluminum-bodied SL conversions. Three of the cars have been written off. One of the two SLs that competed in the 1953 La Carrera Panamericana has completed disappeared.
During the rainy practice, Rudolph Sauerwein crashed one of the two SL cars (car number 47). This left French driver August Veuillet and Edmond Mouche to carry the Porsche flag in the number 46 car. They finished 20th and won the 751cc-1100cc class. Three SLs returned to LeMans the following year, with Veuillet/Mouch finishing 11th again, winning their class. Two SLs were entered in 1953, but by this point in history, the Porsche factory was focusing on their 550 model.
This Porsche 356SL LeMans car is a recreation that has been constructed from the ground up. The project began with a 1953 steel body and is now powered by a 1600cc engine offering 100 horsepower. It is finished in matte silver and features aluminum wheel arch covers and louvers on the side windows and engine cover. It has a correct 'banjo' steering wheel, GT seats, as were used in the Speedsters, and a grey/blue leather interior. The electrical system has been upgraded to 12 volts and the larger 60 mm Carrera brakes have been fitted. The car carries a sports exhaust, auxiliary lights and an oil cooler. There is a four-speed manual transaxle and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Monaco sale. The car carried a pre-auction estimated value of €95.000-€130.000. Bidding reached €82.500 but was not enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2012
In modern times, seven of the last 11 cars still survive, along with several aluminum-bodied SL conversions. Three of the cars have been written off. One of the two SLs that competed in the 1953 La Carrera Panamericana has completed disappeared.
During the rainy practice, Rudolph Sauerwein crashed one of the two SL cars (car number 47). This left French driver August Veuillet and Edmond Mouche to carry the Porsche flag in the number 46 car. They finished 20th and won the 751cc-1100cc class. Three SLs returned to LeMans the following year, with Veuillet/Mouch finishing 11th again, winning their class. Two SLs were entered in 1953, but by this point in history, the Porsche factory was focusing on their 550 model.
This Porsche 356SL LeMans car is a recreation that has been constructed from the ground up. The project began with a 1953 steel body and is now powered by a 1600cc engine offering 100 horsepower. It is finished in matte silver and features aluminum wheel arch covers and louvers on the side windows and engine cover. It has a correct 'banjo' steering wheel, GT seats, as were used in the Speedsters, and a grey/blue leather interior. The electrical system has been upgraded to 12 volts and the larger 60 mm Carrera brakes have been fitted. The car carries a sports exhaust, auxiliary lights and an oil cooler. There is a four-speed manual transaxle and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Monaco sale. The car carried a pre-auction estimated value of €95.000-€130.000. Bidding reached €82.500 but was not enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2012
2012 RM Auctions at Monaco
Pre-Auction Estimates :
€95,000-€130,000
Sale Price :
USD $106,582 (€ 82,500.00)
1953 Porsche 356 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Porsche 356
(Data based on Model Year 1953 sales)
| 1953 Porsche 356 'Pre-A' 1500 America Coupe by Reutter Chassis#: 50748 Sold for USD$224,000 2023 RM Sothebys : The White Collection | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Cabriolet by Heuer-Gläser Chassis#: 12375 Sold for USD$246,400 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 Cabriolet by Reutter Chassis#: 60170 Sold for USD$198,257 2023 RM Sothebys : The Carrera Collection Part 2 (Italy) | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 'Pre-A' Coupe Chassis#: 50279 Sold for USD$201,600 2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupé 'Project' By Reutter Chassis#: 51368 Sold for USD$238,558 2023 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupe Chassis#: 50279 Sold for USD$183,680 2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Coupe by Reutter Chassis#: 50245 Sold for USD$88,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Open Roads - March | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Coupe by Reutter Chassis#: 50947 Sold for USD$159,600 2021 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Cabriolet by Reutter Chassis#: 60237 Sold for USD$187,701 2020 RM : The European Sale featuring the Petitjean Collection | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Coupe by Reutter Chassis#: 50790 Sold for USD$173,600 2020 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Limousine Custom Chassis#: 50146 Sold for USD$207,200 2019 RM Sothebys : The Taj Ma Garaj Collection | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 1500 Super Coupe Chassis#: 50161 Sold for USD$88,000 2018 Gooding & Co. : Amelia Island |   |
| 1953 Porsche 356 1500 Super Cabriolet Chassis#: 60036 Sold for USD$374,000 2018 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale, Az. | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 1500 Coupe by Reutter Chassis#: 50747 Sold for USD$224,000 2018 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale, Az. | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 1500 Cabriolet by Reutter Chassis#: 60266 Sold for USD$257,600 2018 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale, Az. |  |
| 1953 Porsche 356 1500 Cabriolet by Reutter Chassis#: 60351 Sold for USD$280,000 2018 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale, Az. | |
| 1953 PORSCHE 356 PRE-A CABRIOLET Chassis#: 60157 Sold for USD$225,500 2017 Bonhams : Scottsdale, AZ | |
| 1953 Porsche 356/1500 'Bent Window' Cabriolet Chassis#: 60115 Sold for USD$275,000 2017 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale, AZ | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 1100 Coupé Chassis#: 51009 Sold for USD$142,610 2016 RM Sothebys : Duemila Ruote | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Coupe Custom Sold for USD$57,750 2016 Auctions America : Hilton Head |
Porsche 356s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1953 Porsche 356's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 PORSCHE 356 1500 COUPE | 51015 | 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | $275,000 | $350,000 | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 Coupe | 51062 | 2023 Broad Arrow Auctions : Porsche 75th Anniversary | $225,000 | $275,000 | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 1500 Coupe | 50813 | 2019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | $275,000 | $325,000 | |
| 1953 PORSCHE 356 PRE-A CABRIOLET | 60103 | 2019 Coys Schloss Dyck | |||
| 1953 Porsche 356 1500 Super Pré A Cabriolet | 60205 | 2019 Artcurial : Retroobile | $230,000 | $270,000 | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Pre A Coupe | 2018 Shannons Sydney Spring Classic | ||||
| 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 Supercharged Cabriolet | 60130 | 2018 Bonhams : Scottsdale | $230,000 | $270,000 | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Coupé by Reutter | 50136 | 2017 RM Sothebys : London | $200,000 | $250,000 | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Pre A Cabriolet | 2017 Amelia Island Select : Hollywood Wheels Auction | $425,000 | $450,000 | ||
| 1953 Porsche 356 Pre A Golde Top | 2017 Amelia Island Select : Hollywood Wheels Auction | $300,000 | $350,000 | ||
| 1953 PORSCHE 356 REPRODUCTION | R628105052010 | 2017 GPK Auctions Atlantic City | $17,500 | ||
| 1953 Porsche 356 pre A 1500 S Coupe | 50894 | 2016 Coys : Mondial De L'Automobile Paris | $230,000 | $290,000 | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 | 2016 GAA : July 2016 | $60,000 | |||
| 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A Cabriolet | 60236 | 2016 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | $140,000 | $180,000 | |
| 1953 Porsche Pre-A Coupe | 51465 | 2016 Motostalgia Auction Indianapolis Brickyard | $275,000 | $315,000 | |
| 1953 Porsche 356/1500 Bent Window Cabriolet | 60115 | 2016 Worldwide Auctions The Houston Classic | $350,000 | $400,000 | |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 Coupé by Reutter | 50687 | 2015 RM Sotheby's London Auction | |||
| 1953 Porsche 356 Coupe | 51465 | 2015 Mecum : Monterey | $250,000 | $275,000 | $325,000 |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Coupe | 50043 | 2015 Mecum : Monterey | $310,000 | $325,000 | $385,000 |
| 1953 Porsche 356 Pre A 1500 Reutter Cabriolet | 2015 Hollywood Motors : Amelia Island Select | ||||
| 1953 Porsche 356 Pre A Cabriolet | 2015 Hollywood Motors : Amelia Island Select | ||||
| 1953 Porsche 356 Pre A Coupe | 2015 Hollywood Motors : Amelia Island Select | ||||
| 1953 Porsche 356 Pre A | 2015 Hollywood Motors : Amelia Island Select | ||||
| 1953 Porsche 356 Coupe | 2015 Mecum : Kissimmee | $90,000 | |||
| 1953 Porsche 356/1500 Reutter Cabriolet | 60266 | 2014 Mecum Monterey | $375,000 | $350,000 | $450,000 |
| 1953 Porsche 356 1500 Cabriolet (Supercharged) | 60130 | 2012 RM Auctions at Amelia Island, Fla | $79,750 | $175,000 | $235,000 |
| 1953 Porsche 356/1500S Reutter Cabriolet | 2011 Mecum Auctions Monterey, CA The Daytime Auction | $150,000 | |||
| 1953 Porsche 356 America Roadster | 2006 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction | $750,000 | $950,000 | ||
| 1953 PORSCHE 356 PRE A COUPE | 2004 Bonhams MOTORCARS BROOKLINE | $22,000 | $25,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $182,616 range.
| 2006 Lamborghini Murcielago Chassis#:zhwbu16s16la01820 Sold for $181,500 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
| 1968 Chevrolet C10 Pickup Chassis#:ce148z145827 Sold for $181,500 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
| 1964 Imperial Crown Ghia Presidential Limousine Chassis#:9343106753 Sold for $181,500 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
| 1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster Chassis#:ve55s001480 Sold for $181,500 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
| 1961 Porsche 356B T5 Super 90 Roadster Coachwork by Drauz Chassis#:88972 Sold for $181,176 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
| 1957 Facel Vega FV3 Coupé Chassis#:FV3 57 199 Sold for $181,176 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
| 1968 SHELBY GT350-H Chassis#:8T02J15539801219 Sold for $181,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
| 1969 PONTIAC GTO JUDGE RAM AIR III Chassis#:242379P309646 Sold for $181,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
| 2016 FORD SHELBY GT350 WIDEBODY PROTOTYPE Chassis#:1FA6P8JZXG5522039 Sold for $181,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
| 1969 FORD BRONCO CUSTOM SUV Chassis#:U15FLD96930 Sold for $181,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
| 1972 DE TOMASO PANTERA Chassis#:THPNMA02943 Sold for $181,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
| 2006 HUMMER H1 ALPHA WAGON Chassis#:137PH84336E234321 Sold for $181,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
| 1971 FORD BRONCO SPORT CUSTOM SUV Chassis#:AZ393333 Sold for $181,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
| 2019 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 Chassis#:1G1Y42D98K5800555 Sold for $183,700 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
| 1973 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE SPEEDVETTE Chassis#:1Z67J3S420688 Sold for $183,700 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
| 2009 Dodge Challenger Petty's Garage Convertible Chassis#:2b3lj54t99h636227 Sold for $181,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
| 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Chassis#:js23u0e142799 Sold for $181,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
| 2012 Ford Shelby 1000 Chassis#:1zvbp8js2c5247446 Sold for $181,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
| 1970 Shelby GT350 Convertible Chassis#:0f03m481947 Sold for $181,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
| 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible Chassis#:1g1yf3d32p5602721 Sold for $181,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee |
1953 Porsche 356
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Porsche 356 model years
