1956 Porsche 356 A 1500 GS Carrera Coupé
- Engine
- 1.5L DOHC air-cooled flat-four, dry-sump, dual ignition, roller-bearing crank, ~100 bhp
- Colour
- Aquamarine Blue Metallic
A 1956 Porsche 356 A 1500 GS Carrera Coupé, one of a limited number built with the Fuhrmann-designed four-cam roller-bearing engine derived from the 550 Spyder. Delivered new from the Zuffenhausen factory on 16 May 1956 in Polyantha Red, it was shipped to Hoffman Motor Company in New York and spent roughly five decades in the United States before returning to Europe in 2004. A comprehensive restoration was carried out in Italy in 2005–2006, including fitment of a correctly-typed replacement engine rebuilt by four-cam specialist Armin Baumann. The car now presents in Aquamarine Blue Metallic with a full red leather interior.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £302,400 (≈ $378K)
- 1956 → 2004Acquisition unknownUS-based owner or ownersnone documentation
The vehicle stayed in American ownership for roughly half a century before being repatriated to Europe.
- 1956-05-16 →Factory deliveryHoffman Motor Companypartial documentation
Porsche's New York distributor received the car shortly after factory delivery and sold it promptly; the car then remained in the United States for nearly five decades.
- 2004 →Acquisition unknownEuropean owner who commissioned Italian restorationpartial documentation
After returning to Europe, the car underwent a thorough restoration in Italy across 2005 and 2006, including fitting a period-correct replacement engine rebuilt by four-cam specialist Armin Baumann.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Engine rebuildArmin Baumann
A series-correct replacement Type 547/1 unit with a Hirth roller-bearing crankshaft was completely overhauled by four-cam specialist Armin Baumann at his workshop in northern Italy.
Work formed part of the broader 2005–2006 restoration programme.
- —Restoration
A comprehensive restoration was undertaken in Italy between 2005 and 2006, after which the car was presented in Aquamarine Blue Metallic with a full red leather interior and chromed reproduction Rudge centre-lock wheels.
The car was described as being in very good condition prior to the restoration, still retaining original floor panels, doors, front boot lid, and engine cover.
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