Classified Details
- Year: 1955
- Make: Porsche
- Model: 356 > 356 Pre A
- VIN: 53103
- Mileage: 7,000 mi
- Color: Red
- State: Stock
- Location: Oregon
- Origin Country: United States
- Status: Sold
- Price: $150001 - $175000
Vehicle Details
This 1955 Porsche 356 1500 is a Reutter-bodied bent-window coupe that was built on January 27, 1955 and is a single-year-only Continental model. It was acquired by the seller’s family on BaT in November 2021 from its prior owner of 49 years, and subsequent work involved installing a 1,720cc flat-four, dual EMPI carburetors, a Stinger-style exhaust, and Rudge-style 15″ wheels along with converting the electrical system to 12-volts and replacing the fuel tank. The car is finished in red over tan upholstery, and equipment includes a four-speed manual transaxle, tinted sun visors, a single-grille engine lid, and painted bumpers. This Pre-A 356 is offered with the removed engine, spare parts, badging, service records, and a clean Oregon title in the owner’s name.
Beginning with the 1955 model year, Porsche added the “Continental” moniker to US-bound 356 cabriolets and coupes at the urging of US importer Max Hoffman. The cars carried Continental fender scripts for one model year before the name was supplanted by “European” due to objections from Ford. Delivered from the factory in Silver Metallic (5406), this example was repainted red approximately 16 years ago while various touchups were performed in 2011 and 2018. Details include a bent single-piece windshield, a retractable antenna, dual mirrors, pop-out rear quarter windows, a single-grille engine lid, beehive taillights, and body-colored bumpers with chrome rear overriders. Bubbling under the paint is noted in addition to damage near the left hood hinge, and there are various chips and blemishes. The windshield wiper arms are not installed, and removed badging included in the sale is shown at the end of the gallery.
The 1,720cc flat-four was reportedly sourced from a 356SC and was installed under current ownership. The engine features dual EMPI carburetors, 9.2:1 compression pistons, and a 12-volt electrical system. A replacement fuel tank and a Stinger-style exhaust system were also installed under current ownership.
