1954 Porsche 356 Continental Cabriolet
- Engine
- 1.5L normally aspirated flat-four (1500 Normal)
- Colour
- Orange
A 1954 Porsche 356 Pre-A Continental Cabriolet, notable as the third-from-last example of this model built in that calendar year and distinguished by a unique factory special-order orange paint finish — a colour not yet in standard production — with black leather interior and black hood. Delivered to the US market via Max Hoffman's New York dealership, the car was later acquired from its original owner by 356 specialist Lawrence Redman and subsequently underwent a thorough bare-metal restoration, including a numbers-matching drivetrain rebuild, period-correct accessories, and rare Petri 'Superb' steering wheel.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$368,000
- 1954-12-22 →Factory deliveryOriginal buyerpartial documentation
Specified a custom orange paint finish, black leather interior, and black top as a special order directly from the factory.
- → 2009Private saleLawrence Redmanpartial documentation
Acquired the car in rough but largely complete condition from the original owner; stored it in an aircraft hangar near Oxnard, California, for close to three decades before being persuaded to part with it shortly before his death.
- 2009 →Private salePrevious owner prior to consignmentpartial documentation
Commissioned a full restoration including bare-metal bodywork, correct orange repaint, engine and drivetrain rebuilds, reupholstered interior, and sourcing of period-correct trim pieces.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —BodyworkEd Palmer's shop
Body fully stripped to bare metal at Ed Palmer's shop in Camarillo, California; original orange finish confirmed by factory Kardex. Necessary panel work completed and fresh paint applied in the correct period shade.
Process also confirmed the car's original specification against factory documentation.
- —Engine rebuildMichael Shatz's shop
Numbers-matching 1500 Normal engine, transaxle, braking system, and electrical components carefully overhauled and reassembled in Michael Shatz's workshop.
Marque expert Shatz also conducted an extended search for correct missing trim pieces prior to final assembly.
- —RestorationAutos International
Original seats rebuilt and retrimmed in black leather by Autos International, who also produced new carpeting. A replacement hood was fabricated by Autos International and finished by Conejo Upholstery.
Conejo Upholstery handled final hood finishing.
- —MechanicalPalo Alto Speedometer
All dashboard instruments restored and recalibrated.
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