1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1600 Speedster

Son of the Van Diest-Engels company proprietor in Leuven; acquired the car via the D'Ieteren Frères dealership in Brussels and used it both as personal transport and for amateur racing.

Used the Speedster as an everyday vehicle for roughly two decades before selling it at the close of 1979.

Purchased the car from the Baron; exact tenure and onward sale date unclear, but acted as an intermediary before the Gerber ownership.

Found the car in storage in 2012, reimported it to Belgium, and carried out a comprehensive two-year restoration to concours standard completed in October 2014, retaining all original panels and sourcing the correct matching-numbers engine.

German national employed at the West German Consulate in Brussels; relocated the car to Como, Italy, with intentions to restore it, but the project never materialised and the Speedster sat in an underground garage for over thirty years.

Morning race at Chimay; Tassin drove this Speedster in the national-class event, then switched to a Porsche 550 Spyder for the separate international race held the same afternoon.

First competitive outing following the completed restoration; the car took top honours in its class at this Belgian concours event.

One of several classic-car events and rallies entered during the first half of 2015; further details not provided in the source.

Full two-year concours-standard rebuild initiated after the car was repatriated to Belgium. Body stripped to bare metal via acid-bath immersion, all rusted or damaged sheet metal replaced (floor, battery box base, sills), and outer panels retained where sound. Individual body components are stamped with the last three digits of the chassis number, confirming matching panels.

Assembly was carried out by the owner himself. New-old-stock parts used where originals were beyond saving; many original components including switchgear, lights, wheels and wiper blades were retained.

Complete overhaul of the original Type 616/1 engine (P 60 004) and gearbox: all crankshaft bearings, connecting rods, piston rings, valve guides and seats, seals, and gearbox bearings replaced. Solex 32 PBIC carburettors ultrasonically cleaned and refitted with new seals and jets. Engine and suspension components powder-coated or re-plated.

The original engine had been removed at some point and a Super 90 unit fitted; the correct engine was reacquired with the car and fully rebuilt as part of the restoration.

Complete new wiring loom installed throughout the car; all electrical units including starter motor and alternator professionally overhauled.