A remarkably rare 1952 Porsche 356 America Roadster by Gläser will cross the block at RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction 2026, where it is expected to sell for $2.0 million to $2.5 million. Regarded as one of Porsche’s earliest and most significant road cars, the example represents one of just 16 aluminum-bodied Type 540 America Roadsters ever built, with only 10 known survivors today.
The America Roadster predates the iconic Porsche Speedster and served as the purest realization of importer Max Hoffman’s vision for a lightweight, competition-focused sports car tailored to the American market. Built during 1952 and 1953 by Heuer-Gläser, these hand-crafted aluminum-bodied machines emphasized minimal weight, mechanical simplicity, and racing capability over comfort and luxury.
Powered by a 70-horsepower 1500 Super flat-four paired with a four-speed transmission, the America Roadster featured lightweight construction, removable weather protection, split flat-glass windshields, and competition-inspired details that made it substantially lighter than the later Speedster. Their limited production and motorsport use contributed to their rarity, as many examples were lost through racing incidents over the decades.
The featured chassis, 12353, is particularly significant. It is believed to be the only America Roadster delivered new with a racing-style hood-mounted fuel filler, while also being the first chassis equipped with a synchronized gearbox. Finished originally in Ivory with a Green leather interior, it retains its numbers-matching 1500 Super engine and has been meticulously restored to its factory specification.
Originally delivered to Max Hoffman in New York in October 1952, the car was campaigned by its first owner, Lawrence Kulok, who entered it for the 1953 12 Hours of Sebring. Although transmission issues prevented the car from starting the race, it continued to see competition over the following years before passing through several dedicated custodians. One longtime owner, Robert Hicks, successfully campaigned the car in regional SCCA hill climbs while carefully documenting its history and preserving its originality.
A comprehensive restoration by DK Engineering in the early 2000s returned the car to concours condition, with the interior restored to its original Green leather in 2021 before returning to the United States.
With more than 20 years since a Porsche 356 America Roadster last appeared at public auction, this exceptionally documented, numbers-matching example presents an extraordinary opportunity to acquire one of the rarest and most historically important production Porsches ever built.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
Rex McAfee
Didn’t any one tell you that all Porsche sports cars, from 356-001 to the latest 911 and Boxster, have transaxles? While these FRONT-ENGINED cars are great – I have owned a number of 924’s, 928’s and 944’s – a transaxle is not what makes them unique. It was the front engine and water cooling. Don’t perpetuate another disinformation thread from Porsche trying to lend credibility to these often shunned cars.
Ron
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