1959 Porsche 356 A 1600 Super Coupé
- Engine
- 1.6L flat-four
- Colour
- Meissen Blue
A 1959 Porsche 356 A 1600 Super coupé in Meissen Blau, delivered new through AFN and Harold Radford to Donald Campbell CBE — the celebrated British land and water speed record holder. Registered just days before Campbell broke his own water speed record at Coniston Water, the car passed through a small number of subsequent owners and remained within one family for over five decades. A comprehensive bare-metal restoration has been completed, with all major components confirmed numbers-matching.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £230,000 (≈ $288K)
- 1959-05-10 →Private saleDonald Campbell CBEfull documentation
World speed record holder who registered the car shortly after factory delivery; supplied via AFN importer and Harold Radford coachbuilder. Original buff logbook bearing his signature survives, along with factory Kardex confirming his ownership.
- → 1965Acquisition unknownFrank Masefield-Bakerpartial documentation
Later became Mayor of Brighton in 1969; reportedly an enthusiastic and spirited driver. Car passed from his hands in early 1965.
- 1965 →Private salePeter George Kellyfull documentation
Resident of Orpington, Kent; kept the car within his family for roughly 56 years. Correspondence with Porsche Club Great Britain and membership materials from 1967 survive from his tenure.
Competition
- 19591959 Bleriot Anniversary RaceDriver: Donald Campbell
Period film footage shows Campbell at the wheel with Billy Butlin as passenger during this event.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Full bare-metal respray in the original factory colour, combined with a comprehensive mechanical overhaul. Reupholstered in red leather, with replacement carpeting and headliner fitted. All body panels, drivetrain, and engine confirmed numbers-matching throughout.
Work described as recently completed at time of cataloguing.
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