1957 Porsche 356 Speedster T2 1600 Normal
- Engine
- 1.6L flat-four (912 unit installed), 60 bhp; original numbers-matching engine also present
- Colour
- Silver Metallic (originally Ruby Red)
A November 1957 Porsche 356A T2 1600 Speedster bodied by Reutter, delivered new through Max Hoffman's New York agency in Ruby Red with US-market specification. The car spent time in Australia, where specialist Morton Automotive carried out a full restoration including a right-hand-drive conversion (subsequently returned to left-hand drive), fitting a tuned 912 engine while preserving the original matching-numbers unit. It earned a Gold Class Award at the 2005 356 Porsche Club of Australia National event before eventually returning to North America and entering the Gildred Collection.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €263,750 (≈ $290K)
- 2019-08-15Auction saleSold US$282,000
- 1957 →Factory deliveryCalifornian first ownerpartial documentation
Believed to have taken delivery shortly after the car arrived in the US via Max Hoffman's import agency; subsequent early history is undocumented.
- → 2002Acquisition unknownBrian Jonespartial documentation
Noted Australian collector and enthusiast who owned the car after it was exported to Australia; sold it on in 2002.
- 2002 → 2009Private saleMr. Kazacospartial documentation
Sydney-based collector who commissioned a full restoration and right-hand-drive conversion by Porsche specialist Morton Automotive; the original matching-numbers drivetrain was preserved alongside a lightly tuned 912 engine fitted for use.
- 2009 →Private saleMr. Alexanderpartial documentation
Melbourne-based owner who used the car for classic events and rallies, with servicing handled by 356 specialist Rob Fores.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownToronto collectorpartial documentation
Canadian collector who acquired the Speedster after it returned to North America from Australia.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownTed Gildred Collectionpartial documentation
The car has been part of this collection for several years, maintained on a regular exercise and upkeep program.
Competition
- 2005356 Porsche Club of Australia2005 356 Porsche Club of Australia National EventGold Class Award
Concours-style national gathering held in Melbourne where the freshly restored Speedster received top honors in its category.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2009ServiceRob Fores
Ongoing service and maintenance work undertaken by a renowned Melbourne-based 356 specialist during Mr. Alexander's ownership.
- —RestorationMorton Automotive
Full restoration commissioned after purchase by Mr. Kazacos, during which the bodywork was found to be in good condition with minimal corrosion and no significant crash damage. The car was refinished in period-appropriate silver with a red interior, grey German square-weave carpet, and black soft-top and side curtains.
A lightly tuned 912 engine and matching transaxle were installed in place of the original drivetrain; the original matching-numbers engine and gearbox were preserved and kept with the car.
- —ModificationMorton Automotive
Conversion to right-hand drive carried out during the restoration, subsequently reversed to restore the original left-hand-drive configuration.
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