1960 Porsche 356B Super 90 Convertible

Porsche introduced the 356 T-5 Roadster for the 1960 model year as a replacement for the one-year-only Convertible D. The new Roadster had new raised front fenders and headlamps, along with raised bumpers to better cope with urban parking. The brakes received several upgrades including new cast-aluminum Alfin brake drums with iron liners, improved sealing to repel water, and new brake-cooling intakes were added to the nose just below the front bumper. In similar fashion to the Convertible D, the new Roadster had roll-up windows, a convertible top, wraparound plastic rear window, and comfortable seats.

This particular example is finished in its original Ivory color, with the correct red interior and black top. One of its prior owners was Porsche restorer, Harvey and Linda Smith, who cared for the car for over three decades. Prior to the Smith ownership, it belonged to David Koehn of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who acquired the car in 1975. When Mr. Koehn advertised it for sale in the Porsche Panorama magazine, Harvey Smith flew to Wisconsin to collect it. On the way home to Arizona, the engine failed, so Smith fitted a 1962 Super 90 motor, which remains in the car today.

Mr. Smith sold the Roadster to Ibrahim Kuzu in Texas in 2007 as a restoration project. In 2009, still requiring a restoration, it was sold to Carl Zapffe, who had the car sent to Terry Worick Restoration in Eagle, Nebraska, where it received a complete bare-metal rotisserie restoration. Mr. Zapffe enjoyed the Porsche for another six years before selling it to the current caretaker.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2016