1951 Porsche 356 Coupe (split-window)
- Engine
- 1.5L flat-four pushrod, 1953-spec 1500 Super unit
- Colour
- Maroon
An early 1951 Porsche 356 coupe featuring the distinctive split windscreen and body-hugging bumpers characteristic of the model's first production years. Delivered new to a German dealership in Bremen, the car passed through a distinguished chain of American Porsche enthusiasts including a founding member of the 356 split-window registry, a surf-brand entrepreneur, and a specialist Porsche garage owner who undertook a sympathetic restoration. The car later entered the noted Ingram Collection before being returned to period specification by Emory Motorsports.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$600,000 – US$800,000
- —Auction saleSold US$456,000
- 1951 →Factory deliverySchmidt & Koch dealership, Bremenfull documentation
Original recipient of the car; factory Kardex confirms delivery and original colour specification of maroon with grey interior.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownTom Birchpartial documentation
Prominent figure in the 356 split-window registry community; drove the car regularly as everyday transport until the 1980s.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJim Jenkspartial documentation
Founder of the Ocean Pacific surf apparel brand; acquired the car when Birch relinquished it.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownDieter Vongehrpartial documentation
Operated a specialist Porsche workshop in San Diego and held a prominent role in the Porsche Club of America; undertook a careful restoration and fitted a period-correct 1500 Super engine from 1953.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownIngram Collection, Durham NCpartial documentation
Noted private Porsche collection regarded as one of the most significant outside the factory museum.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownSubsequent unidentified owner who commissioned Emory restorationpartial documentation
Engaged Emory Motorsports to return the car to original period configuration, including bespoke interior work based on Reutter factory documentation.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
A sympathetic restoration was undertaken, and the engine was replaced with a period-correct but slightly later 1500 Super unit dating from 1953; the correct crashbox transaxle was also fitted.
Work carried out during ownership by Dieter Vongehr, a specialist Porsche garage operator in San Diego.
- —RestorationEmory Motorsports
A detailed recommissioning to original period specification was completed, covering mechanical, interior, and cosmetic elements. Interior work including seat and door card recreation was subcontracted to Autobahn Interiors, based on original Reutter factory documentation. Period-correct grey vinyl and cloth upholstery, close-woven carpets, a six-volt Telefunken ID51 tube radio, and the early unembossed steering wheel were all reinstated.
Autobahn Interiors executed the interior reconstruction; the car also carries a rare Hazet tool set mounted on the spare wheel.
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