1964 Porsche 356C
A left-hand drive Porsche 356C, assembled in December 1964 and first registered in the United States in June 1965, this car was imported from Arizona to the United Kingdom in 1989. Converted to road rally specification by its second British owner, Mike Cornwell, it was prepared by respected Porsche specialists Eric Studer and later Francis Tuthill. Over a quarter-century of competition, it accumulated multiple wins and class victories on events including the Classic Marathon and Tulip Rally, running alongside Sir Stirling Moss and Rosemary Smith.
Ownership
- 2019-02-23Auction saleSold £62,000 (≈ $78K)
- 1965-06-01 →Acquisition unknownOriginal US owner(s)partial documentation
Car was first registered in the United States in June 1965; confirmed by factory Kardex. Kept in Arizona until export to the UK in 1989.
- 1989 →Acquisition unknownFirst UK ownerpartial documentation
Brought the car to the UK from Arizona in 1989 and shortly afterwards entered it in a Porsche Club concours at Malvern, winning an award.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMike Cornwellfull documentation
Second UK owner who had the car converted to full road rally specification by Eric Studer. Competed extensively including the Classic Marathon in 1991 and 1992, the 1993 Tulip Rally, and two Monte Carlo Challenges. Featured in a 1994 edition of Porsche World magazine.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownPrivate vendorpartial documentation
Long-term owner who had the car maintained professionally by Francis Tuthill. Used primarily for touring in the final decade rather than competition.
Competition
- 1989Porsche Club Concours, MalvernConcours award
Won a concours award shortly after the car arrived in the UK from Arizona.
- 19911991 Classic MarathonDriver: Mike CornwellAlpine Cup winner
Cornwell ran alongside Sir Stirling Moss and Rosemary Smith in this event.
- 19921992 Classic MarathonDriver: Mike Cornwell
Cornwell repeated the Classic Marathon the following year.
- 19931993 Tulip RallyDriver: Mike CornwellClass win
- 20092009 Tour BritanniaClass win in Touring category
Recorded as the car's most recent competitive class victory.
- —Monte Carlo ChallengeDriver: Mike CornwellClass win
Entered on two successive editions of this event, taking a class win each time.
Maintenance & restoration
- —MechanicalNeil Hubbard
Halda trip meter rebuilt and recalibrated.
Carried out prior to the auction, noted as recently completed.
- —ServiceFrancis Tuthill
Professional maintenance and upkeep throughout the competition period under subsequent private ownership.
- —ModificationEric Studer
Car converted to road rally specification: competition dampers, roll cage, and safety equipment installed; engine and gearbox rebuilt; Halda trip meter and FIVA documentation sourced.
Work carried out for owner Mike Cornwell in preparation for serious road rallying.
- —Engine rebuildEric Studer
The 1600cc SC-specification engine producing 95 bhp has been rebuilt on multiple occasions across approximately 25 years of competitive use.
Ongoing rebuilds carried out during the Cornwell ownership period; further maintenance by Francis Tuthill under subsequent ownership.
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