1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A

KEY FACTS

  • An early example of Porsche's first production car; beautifully presented and with an engine rebuild six years ago.
  • Under the rear engine lid is a 1.5-litre Type 546/2 flat-four engine of the correct type, driving the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox.
  • It was delivered new in March 1955 by Sonauto in Paris, before being exported to the US by a United States Army officer in the 1960s.
  • The car remained in the US until 2013, when it was exported to Germany, and it was acquired by the current owner in 2015.
  • During their tenure, the car has received a 1.5-litre engine of the correct type, which was rebuilt in 2018 at a cost of built in 2018 at a cost of €25,000, and the vehicle has been kept in good mechanical order.
  • This ‘Pre-A’ 356 Coupe is fully eligible for the Mille Miglia road rally.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

  • While this car left the factory with Silver Metallic paintwork and a red leatherette interior, this was changed over the years, at one point to an orange body finish, but it was refinished in the current colour scheme of Ivory over Light Brown leather in the 1980s.
  • The car has the correct V-shaped single bent windshield, and is from the final year of production before the change to the ‘356 A’.
  • Currently installed is a pair of Cobra sport seats, which were fitted in 2015 at a cost of €2489. However, a set of standard Pre-A seats is also included in the sale.
  • A letter from the previous owner sheds some light on the ownership changes and movements through the 1970s, 1980s and to the present day.
  • Its Porsche Kardex report, Certificate of Authenticity and a copy of the owner’s manual will be included. 

CONDITION

  • A few imperfections have been reported with the bodywork, such as some excess filler around the edge of the passenger door, a dent on the bottom of the driver’s door, and a misaligned rocker panel and bonnet lid.
  • Its Ivory paintwork is in good condition for its age, presenting with a few light scratches and stone chips. There is a small crack on the edge of the driver’s door, alongside a touched-in blemish on its lower rear corner, and some missing paint on the inside.
  • Its Light Brown leather upholstery is in excellent shape, with just a few small creases.
  • The speedometer and stereo are currently broken, and the passenger door does not always close properly.

SERVICE HISTORY

Its most recent service was in March 2021, where technicians at Hartmann + Köster GmbH & Co in Bielefeld, Germany sealed a rear axle oil leak, adjusted the front bushings and cleaned the rear brakes.

The engine was fully rebuilt in 2018 at a cost of approximately €25,000, and a mechanical overhaul was completed in June 2015, at a cost of more than €5,000.

The vendor reports that the front axle may require new bushings.

SUMMARY

This Porsche 356 Coupe 1500 Pre-A is a usable example of the marque’s first production car, with a rebuilt engine and an attractive period-correct colour scheme. It has spent time in France, the US, and now Germany, and while the next owner may wish to attend to some of the minor cosmetic flaws, this is a charming and sought-after classic sports car that is ready to relish on the open road, and is fully eligible for entry into the prestigious Mille Miglia road rally.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

Car Overview

  • 922 km (inaccurate)
  • manual
  • LHD
  • Ivory
  • Light Brown Leather
  • 1.5L
  • VIN53250


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Lot Overview

  • Lot #05892
  • private Sale
  • Verl, Germany

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Exterior  (203)

1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A

Interior  (96)

1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A

Mechanical  (12)

1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A1955 PORSCHE 356 COUPÉ 1500 PRE-A
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