1951 Porsche 356 Pre-A Split-Window Reutter Coupé (Model 51)
- Colour
- Adria Blue Metallic
Chassis 10627 is a 1951 Porsche 356 Pre-A Reutter Coupe — the 96th of just 749 such bodies built — factory-completed on 5 June 1951 in Adria Blue Metallic over grey Hafele interior. Imported early to the United States, it spent three decades as a daily driver in California before a meticulous, research-driven five-year restoration returned it to factory-correct specification. Since its completion in late 2019 the car has collected multiple concours awards.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$527,500
- 1951-06-05 →Factory deliveryFirst European owner (identity unknown)partial documentation
Original purchaser accumulated close to 10,000 km by late February 1952, as recorded in the Kardex warranty entries. Identity not stated in the prose.
- 1964 → 2015Acquisition unknownGeorge Wilcoxpartial documentation
A high school teacher based in Santa Cruz, California, Wilcox used the car as daily transportation for roughly three decades before retiring to Rancho Murieta, where the car eventually ceased regular road use. He agreed to sell it to his neighbor on condition that it be properly restored.
- 2015 →Private saleSteven Berggrenfull documentation
Berggren undertook a meticulous five-year restoration enlisting numerous specialists for metalwork, paint, engine assembly, trim, and interior work, returning the car to factory-correct specification in its original color combination.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownUnknown U.S. importer or early American ownernone documentation
The car was brought to the United States at some unspecified early point in its life; no named custodian is identified for this period.
Competition
- 2021-05-01North Meets South Porsche 356 Club event1st place and Best of Show
Concours-style club event where the car took both the top class award and the overall show honor.
- 2021-08-01Porsche Werks Reunion Monterey1st in class
One of three awards earned during Monterey Car Week in August 2021.
- 2021-08-01Carmel Concours on the Avenue2nd in class; Michael Furman Artist award
The car received two separate honors at this Monterey Car Week concours event.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2015Restoration
Disassembly and research phase initiated; early-356 specialists engaged to source correct parts and reference material prior to the main restoration effort.
Berggren, PCA member Jim Hardie, and Pre-A authority Robert Brocker led the research component throughout the project.
- 2015BodyworkLighthall Classics
Metalwork fabrication and bare-metal repaint carried out, returning the body to its original Adria Blue Metallic factory shade; a period-correct 1951 nose section was sourced and fitted.
The replacement nose section was supplied by Trevor Hammer Works of Willoughby, Ohio.
- 2015MechanicalVictor Miles
Correct brightwork and exterior trim items were sourced and refurbished to original specification.
Work carried out in collaboration with Lighthall Classics.
- 2015BodyworkWrenn Metal Works
A factory-correct engine cover was fabricated by precise replication from an original 1951 unit temporarily borrowed from another surviving coupe.
Fabricator Jason Wrenn produced the panel; the owner of an unrestored 1951 coupe lent the original cover as a template.
- 2015Engine rebuildDeutsche Motor Sport
A period-correct engine was carefully sourced, assembled, and dyno-tuned to factory specification.
Work overseen by Tom Martenot.
- 2015Restoration
A fully factory-correct interior was constructed using original-specification grey Hafele fabric and close-weave carpeting.
Executed by Roy Neilson, founder of Autos International.
- 2015RestorationNorth Hollywood Speedometer Repair
All original dashboard instruments were professionally restored to period-correct condition.
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