1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A Speedster 1600

80990roadGermany

Engine: 1.6L horizontally opposed four-cylinder, 60 bhp
Colour: Red

Chassis 80990 is a matching-numbers 1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A Speedster powered by a 1,600cc engine — the 70th such unit produced — making it one of a small number of Pre-A cars delivered with the larger displacement that would later be standardised on the 356A. Supplied new through importer Max Hoffman in New York in October 1955 in red over black leatherette, the car subsequently spent many years in Italy before passing to Belgium. It retains its original drivetrain, has undergone a comprehensive restoration and two engine overhauls, and is eligible for historic events including the Mille Miglia.

Ownership

2018-10-05Auction sale
Sold €300,000 (≈ $330K)
Bonhams catalogue lot →
1955-10-01 →Factory delivery
US market customer via Max Hoffman import
partial documentation
Delivered new through the Max Hoffman import network in New York, finished in red with black leatherette interior. Early history after initial delivery is not documented.
Date unknown
Italian owner or owners
partial documentation
The car spent many years in Italy during this period. A full restoration was carried out, during which the interior was re-trimmed in beige and the engine and mechanicals were overhauled.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Belgian owner
partial documentation
Car was relocated to Belgium, where a fresh complete engine rebuild was done shortly before the auction, along with a new clutch, flywheel, and soft-top.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

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Restoration
Full restoration carried out while the car was based in Italy, encompassing a mechanical overhaul of the engine and drivetrain; interior retrimmed from original black leatherette to beige at this time.
Exact date not recorded. Original matching-numbers engine retained throughout.
—
Engine rebuild
Complete engine overhaul performed in Belgium a few months before the sale, with a new clutch assembly and flywheel installed simultaneously.
Work documented by photographs included with the car's paperwork. A new beige soft-top was also fitted at the same time.
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Maintenance
New beige convertible soft-top fitted concurrent with the Belgian engine overhaul.

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