1956 Porsche 356 A Speedster Type T1
- Engine
- 1.6L air-cooled flat-four (Type 616/1), dual Solex 32mm carburetors, 60 bhp at 4,500 rpm
- Colour
- White ('Weiss')
A largely original 1956 Porsche 356 A Speedster, Type T1, built to U.S. specification and dispatched from Zuffenhausen in September 1956 via Max Hoffman's New York distributorship. Finished in factory white over red leatherette, the car has been held by just two registered private owners before passing to a notable Porsche collection, spanning more than five decades of careful use rather than restoration. Engine and transaxle are confirmed original by Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, with a single repaint in the 1970s and a drivetrain rebuild in preparation for the Colorado Grand the only significant interventions.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$380,000
- 1957 → 1983Acquisition unknownSporting goods business operator, Denver area, Coloradopartial documentation
Believed to be the original recipient of the car after it arrived via the New York distributor; kept the Speedster for nearly 27 years and registered it in Colorado.
- 1983 → 2010Private saleBoulder, Colorado residentpartial documentation
Held the car for roughly 27 years; during this period had the engine and gearbox rebuilt in preparation for a Colorado Grand tour.
- 2010 →Private salePrivate Porsche collectionpartial documentation
Described as one of the foremost private Porsche collections globally; provided ongoing in-house mechanical upkeep since acquisition.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Bodywork
Exterior was repainted once in the original factory white colour; interior paint in jambs and beneath both lids remains from new.
Work carried out during the 1970s; rock chips consistent with subsequent regular use are now visible on the repainted surfaces.
- —Engine rebuild
Both the original engine and transaxle were overhauled, with fewer than 6,000 miles accumulated since; work undertaken in the Boulder area to prepare the car for the Colorado Grand.
Completed during the second owner's tenure prior to 2010; subsequent RM Sotheby's test drive confirmed strong running condition and proper brake function.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.