1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupé
- Engine
- 1.5L air-cooled flat-four OHV, twin Solex downdraft carbs, 55 bhp
- Colour
- Adriablau (original factory blue)
A 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupé finished in original Adriablau colouring, delivered new on 29 July 1953 to German theatre, television, and film director Professor Willi Schmidt via Berlin Volkswagen dealer Eduard Winter. The car retains its original engine and gearbox, as confirmed by the factory Kardex and original purchase invoice. It passed from Schmidt to his son Stefan in 1995, remaining in the family for over five decades, before a subsequent owner undertook a thorough restoration in the early 2000s.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £162,400 (≈ $203K)
- 1953-07-29 → 1995-11-16Factory deliveryProf. Willi Schmidtfull documentation
Prominent German theatre, television, and film director who acquired the car new via a Berlin VW dealership. Kept meticulous service and maintenance records throughout his ownership; original drivetrain confirmed intact by factory documentation.
- 1995-11-16 → 2004InheritanceStefan Schmidtfull documentation
Son of the original owner; received the car following his father's death. Continued the careful maintenance logging begun by his father, retaining the vehicle for approximately 13 years before selling.
- 2004 →Private saleMatthew Wilsonfull documentation
Leicester-based UK buyer who undertook a thorough restoration shortly after purchase, supported by multi-year parts and service invoices. A 2006 inspection by Karmann Konnection confirmed rust-free underside and sound mechanical condition.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2004Restoration
Comprehensive restoration undertaken after acquisition by Matthew Wilson, covering multiple aspects of the car. Supporting documentation includes numerous parts and service invoices accumulated over several years.
The precise scope is spread across multiple invoices; the restoration period appears to have run from 2004 through at least 2006.
- 2006InspectionKarmann Konnection
Formal inspection carried out confirming floor panels had been replaced, the underside was rust-free and treated with corrosion protection, and mechanical condition was sound with evidence of regular upkeep.
Inspection findings documented in a letter included in the car's file.
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