conceptcarz.com

Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).

1956 Porsche 356A Roadster

  • Chassis Number: 81120
  • Engine Number: 60319
The Porsche 356 Speedster, introduced to the U.S. market in 1954, combined the open-top style of the cabriolet with a raked windscreen and a minimalistic interior. Power was initially sourced from a 1.5 liter flat four-cylinder engine. With the introduction of the 356 A in 1955 which brought numerous changes, power increased to 60 bhp thanks to the new 1.6-liter powerplant.

This particular Porsche Speedster was completed on November 30th of 1955 and is among the earliest examples of the 356 A Speedsters built. It left the factory wearing Signal Red paint, a Beige leatherette interior, and US-specification sealed-beam headlights. It was imported to the United States by Hoffman Motor Company and sent directly to Competition Motors in Los Angeles. The car's first owner was Dr. Charles Brewer who retained it for three decades. By the 1980s, it was in the care of Hinz Rowland who re-finished the exterior with Signal Red paint. After many years of enjoyment, ownership passed to Ben Reiling who displayed it frequently at local concours events, finishing in the top of its class on numerous occasions.

In 2013, an extensive two-year restoration was commissioned, performed by Nick's Old Car Specialty of Redlands, California. During this time, the four-speed manual transaxle and original engine were completely rebuilt, its Signal Red paint was restored, and more recently, knock-off, Rudge-style wheels were fitted.

The 1,582cc air-cooled flat four-cylinder engine breathes through twin Solex 32 PBIC carburetors and delivers 60 horsepower at 4,500 RPM.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2022

2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $375,000-USD $450,000 
Sale Price :
USD $522,000

1956 Porsche 356A Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Porsche 356A

(Data based on Model Year 1956 sales)
1956 Porsche 356 'Pre-A' 1600 Speedster
Chassis#: 81154
Sold for USD$395,500
  2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia
 
1956 Porsche 356A Speedster
Chassis#: 82813
Sold for USD$335,500
  2023 Mecum : Monterey
 
1956 Porsche 356A 1500 GS Carrera Speedster
Chassis#: 82190
Sold for USD$935,000
  2023 Mecum : Monterey
1956 Porsche 356A image  1956 Porsche 356A image  
1956 Porsche 356 A 1600 Super Speedster by Reutter
Chassis#: 82431
Sold for USD$313,000
  2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1956 Porsche 356A image  1956 Porsche 356A image  
1956 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 Super Speedster
Chassis#: 80903
Sold for USD$362,500
  2023 Bonhams : Scottsdale Auction
 
1956 Porsche 356 A 1600 Super Speedster by Reutter
Chassis#: 82106
Sold for USD$335,000
  2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona
 
1956 Porsche 356 A 1600 Speedster by Reutter
Chassis#: 82741
Sold for USD$357,500
  2022 RM Sothebys : Gene Ponder Collection
 
1956 PORSCHE 356 A SPEEDSTER
Chassis#: 81120
Sold for USD$522,000
  2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1956 Porsche 356A image  
1956 PORSCHE 356 A 'EUROPEAN' CABRIOLET
Chassis#: 61064
Sold for USD$434,000
  2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1956 Porsche 356A image  1956 Porsche 356A image  
1956 Porsche 356 A 1600 Super Speedster by Reutter
Chassis#: 82106
Sold for USD$307,500
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
 
1956 Porsche 356 A 1600 Cabriolet 'Project'
Chassis#: 61428
Sold for USD$155,662
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monaco Grimaldi Forum
 
1956 PORSCHE 356 A SPEEDSTER
Chassis#: 82181
Sold for USD$379,000
  2022 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction
1956 Porsche 356A image  
1956 PORSCHE 356 A SUPER COUPE
Chassis#: 57011
Sold for USD$67,200
  2022 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction
1956 Porsche 356A image  1956 Porsche 356A image  
1956 Porsche 356 A 1600 Cabriolet by Reutter
Chassis#: 61461
Sold for USD$236,500
  2021 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall
 
1956 Porsche 356 A Carrera 1500 GS Coupe by Reutter
Chassis#: 57998
Sold for USD$472,500
  2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1956 Porsche 356A image  1956 Porsche 356A image  
1956 PORSCHE 356A 1600S T1 SPEEDSTER
Chassis#: 82835
Sold for USD$367,816
  2020 Bonhams : The Bonmont Sale
 
1956 Porsche 356 A 1600 Speedster by Reutter
Chassis#: 82071
Sold for USD$291,500
  2020 RM Sothebys : Shift/Monterey
 
1956 PORSCHE 356A OUTLAW COUPE
Chassis#: 56306
Sold for USD$142,800
  2020 Bonhams : Quail Motorcar Auction
 
1956 Porsche 356 A 1600 Coupé by Reutter
Chassis#: 56964
Sold for USD$103,861
  2020 RM : The European Sale featuring the Petitjean Collection
 
1956 Porsche 356 A Speedster
Chassis#: 82549
Sold for USD$340,500
  2020 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale Arizona
 

Porsche 356As That Failed To Sell At Auction

1956 Porsche 356A's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1956 Porsche 356 A cabriolet 1600613502023 Artcurial : Le Mans Classic $190,000$230,000
1956 Porsche 356 A Coupe Outlaw565152022 Broad Arrow Auctions : West Palm Beach $125,000$150,000
1956 Porsche 356 A 1600S T1 Speedster820782021 Silverstone Auctions : The Classic Sale at Silverstone   
1956 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster Coachwork by Reutter826392019 Bonhams : Amelia Island $350,000$450,000
1956 Porsche 356A Carrera GS/GT Coupé567782019 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais $420,000$560,000
1956 Porsche 356 A Speedster821172019 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale Arizona $450,000$550,000
1956 Porsche 356A 1500 Carrera GS Coupe561182018 Bonhams : Scottsdale $750,000$900,000
1956 Porsche 356 A 1500 GS Carrera Custom560832016 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach $550,000$750,000
1956 PORSCHE 356A SPEEDSTER826422016 Bonhams Goodwood Members' Meeting $340,000$400,000
1956 Porsche 356A Speedster820112015 Rick Cole Monterey $275,000$295,000
1956 Porsche 356 Speedster820112014 Rick Cole Auctions : Monterey$303,600$225,000$295,000
1956 Porsche 356A Speedster828562013 Coys Techno Classica $150,000$170,000
1956 Porsche 356A Super Speedster 1600S Engine, Nut and Bolt Restoration 2013 Mecum Houston, Tx$220,000  
1956 Porsche 356 Speedster Re-Creation 2011 Barrett JacksonLas Vegas   
1956 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster827302011 Bonhams Les Grandes Marques à Monaco $135,000$155,000
1956 Porsche 356A Speedster825602010 FAIRFIELD COUNTY CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE, EXCEPTIONAL COLLECTORS' MOTORCARS AND AUTOMOBILIA $160,000$180,000
1956 Porsche 356A Speedster 2010 Auctions America : Auburn Collector Car Auction$112,000  
1956 Porsche 356A Speedster 2010 Branson Auctions Spring 2010$24,000  
1956 Porsche 356A 2009 Automobiles of Amelia Island$115,000$140,000$160,000

Vehicles With Comparable Market Values

Similar sales to the $254,921 range.
1969 Cadillac Eldorado
Chassis#:h9267990
Sold for $253,000
2024 Mecum : Glendale
1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II
Chassis#:WDB2010361F734120
Sold for $255,000
2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia
1930 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport
Chassis#:681/40655
Sold for $257,124
2024 Artcurial : Retromobile
1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI SUPERBIRD
Chassis#:RM23R0A172593
Sold for $253,000
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM COUPE
Chassis#:194377S107245
Sold for $253,000
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
1952 BEECHCRAFT MODEL 18 MOVIE AIRPLANE
Chassis#:CA265
Sold for $253,000
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
1967 FORD MUSTANG ELEANOR TRIBUTE EDITION
Chassis#:7T02T267255
Sold for $253,000
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM COUPE
Chassis#:194377S112243
Sold for $253,000
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
1970 Plymouth Superbird
Chassis#:rm23u0a175571
Sold for $253,000
2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
1966 Shelby GT350H Fastback
Sold for $253,000
2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
1970 Dodge Charger R/T SE
Chassis#:xs29v0g233953
Sold for $253,000
2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
1933 Packard Super Eight Coupe Roadster
Chassis#:750252
Sold for $253,000
2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey
1956 Porsche 356A vehicle thumbnail image  1956 Porsche 356A vehicle thumbnail image  
2023 MASERATI MC20
Chassis#:ZAMBMRAB1P0413181
Sold for $253,000
2023 Barrett-Jackson : New Orleans
1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Roadster
Chassis#:875195
Sold for $256,663
2023 RM Sothebys : St. Moritz
1980 Aston Martin V8 Volante
Chassis#:V8C0L15209
Sold for $254,800
2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible 3ZR
Chassis#:1G1Y43D9XK5802894
Sold for $253,120
2023 Bonhams : The Greenwich Auction
1968 DeTomaso Mangusta
Sold for $253,000
2023 Mecum : Indy
1992 Porsche 964 Carrera RS M003 N/GT Coupé
Chassis#:WP0ZZZ96ZNS499165
Sold for $257,368
2023 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris
1967 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage Sports Saloon
Chassis#:DB6/2891/R
Sold for $254,230
2023 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris
1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#:194676S108170
Sold for $253,000
2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az.

1956 Porsche 356A

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other Porsche 356A model years

1956 Porsche 356A Vehicle Profiles