1957 Porsche 356A Speedster
- Engine
- 1.6L flat-four OHV, twin Weber 40 IDF carburetors, 90+ bhp at 5,500 rpm
- Colour
- White
This 1957 Porsche 356A Speedster, chassis 83100, was originally delivered through Autohaus Kahrmann in Fulda, Germany, in March 1957 and arrived in the United States in the early 1960s. It was raced in SCCA E Production by its first American owner and subsequently modified with Carrera-sourced racing components. Following a restoration in the mid-1980s that included fitment of a Super 90 engine with performance gearing, the car has remained well-documented throughout its life and retains a notably purposeful competition character.
Ownership
- 2024-02-29Auction saleEstimate US$285,000 – US$330,000
- 1957-03-27 → 1957Factory deliveryAutohaus Kahrmannfull documentation
Frankfurt-area Porsche dealer that received delivery of the car; Kardex on file confirms the transaction date and original specification.
- → 1986-03-01Acquisition unknownJerry Kendallpartial documentation
Atlanta-based owner who sold the car in March 1986.
- 1986-03-01 → 1994Private saleJohn Summerfull documentation
St. Petersburg, Florida owner responsible for the current restoration; replaced the Carrera engine with a 1960 Super 90 unit and specified performance drivetrain components including Weber carburetors, a hillclimb gearset, and a limited-slip final drive.
- 1994 →Private saleKevin Fiskepartial documentation
Washington State owner who acquired the car from Summer in 1994.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownGlenn Hoffmannpartial documentation
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania owner who campaigned the car in SCCA E Production, fitted a Carrera 1500 engine, added a lightweight Carrera rear deck and racing instrumentation, and applied Jennings-inspired burgundy scallop livery to the front fenders.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownBob Schreterpartial documentation
Roswell, Georgia owner who continued racing and hillclimbing the car through the late 1960s, reportedly winning frequently.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMilton Baileypartial documentation
Atlanta, Georgia owner who acquired the car in the early 1970s, after which active competition use ceased.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownKevin Heaneypartial documentation
Atlanta-based owner; part of a sequence of local custodians during the car's post-racing period.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJack Graypartial documentation
Atlanta-based owner; held the car between Heaney and Kendall.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownLong-term Massachusetts ownerpartial documentation
Extended-tenure custodian based in Massachusetts who held the car after Fiske; numerous receipts and historical records accompany the vehicle.
Competition
- —SCCA E ProductionSCCA E Production racingDriver: Glenn Hoffmann
Car competed in club racing in Pennsylvania during the early 1960s; fitted with a Carrera 1500 engine and various racing equipment sourced partly from noted competitor Bruce Jennings.
- —Hillclimb and road racing eventsDriver: Bob SchreterReportedly won frequently
Georgia-based owner campaigned the Speedster in racing and hillclimb events through the late 1960s.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1986Restoration
Full restoration undertaken, returning the car to its current white finish. The Carrera engine was removed and replaced with a 1960 Super 90 engine; performance upgrades including twin 40IDF Weber carburettors, a type 741 transaxle with hillclimb gearing, and a limited-slip final drive were fitted.
Commissioned by John Summer following his purchase in March 1986; restoration records are included in the accompanying history file.
- —Modification
Original engine replaced with a 1500 Carrera unit; lightweight Carrera rear deck, high-rpm tachometer, and other racing components added, several sourced from racer Bruce Jennings.
Carried out during Glenn Hoffmann's ownership in the early 1960s; decorative scallop paintwork in metallic burgundy also applied to front fenders at this time.
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