1959 Porsche 356A Roadster

This 1959 Porsche 356 A Convertible D is powered by a 1,582cc, overhead-valve, air-cooled, flat four-cylinder engine fitted with twin Zenith 32 NDIX carburetors. It develops 60 horsepower at 4,500 RPM and is paired with a four-speed manual transaxle. There are four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes and an independent suspension with torsion bars and tubular shock absorbers.

The Convertible D was produced only for the 1959 model year, with styling similar to the minimalist and inexpensive Speedster model, but with additional accouterments such as wind-up windows, coupe-style seats, a taller windshield, interior door panels with pockets, and a more practical folding soft-top with the enlarged rear window. Instead of Reutter, Porsche contracted Karosseriewerke Drauz to craft the bodies, hence the 'D' in the model's name. Between August of 1958 and September of 1959, a total of 1,331 examples were built.

This particular Convertible D was completed by the factory on April 20, 1959, and finished in Ivory over a red leatherette interior. It came with reclining seats, driver and passenger seat belts, US-specification bumpers, cigarette lighter, Michelin tires, and floor mats. The car was delivered through Autohaus Kraus in Nürnberg, Germany to Joseph C. May Jr. of Stamford, Texas.

The car remains in solid condition despite its 'barn find' appearance and retains the majority of its original components.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2022