1954 Porsche 356 Glöckler Coupé
- Engine
- 1.5L four-cam flat-four (Fuhrmann vertical-shaft design), four-speed gearbox
The sole coupe variant among Walter Glöckler's six Porsche-based racing specials, this 1954 Glöckler-Porsche 356 was built on an original Pre-A chassis with aluminum bodywork by C.H. Weidenhausen — the same coachbuilder responsible for the first two Porsche 550 RS Prototypes. Powered by an early Fuhrmann four-cam engine, it debuted at the 1954 Liège–Rome–Liège rally. Acknowledged as a direct predecessor of the Porsche 550, the car was repatriated to Germany in 1993 and comprehensively restored after 2005.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$750,000 – US$1,000,000
- 1954 → 1954Factory deliveryWalter Glöcklerpartial documentation
Glöckler commissioned the car on a factory-supplied 356 Pre-A chassis as his sixth and final Porsche-based racing special; the Kardex is blank aside from the chassis number, consistent with a reserve or special-purpose chassis.
- 1954 →Acquisition unknownTom Shipmanpartial documentation
Car was exported to the United States and purchased by Shipman before the close of 1954, following its factory stay after the Liège–Rome–Liège rally.
- → 1993Acquisition unknownRudi Kleinpartial documentation
Acquired the car around the 1970s; it was stored at his well-known sports and luxury salvage operation near Los Angeles until sold in 1993.
- 1993 → 2005Private saleHans Heffelspartial documentation
Frankfurt-based Lufthansa employee who negotiated the purchase from Klein and repatriated the car to Germany, but lacked the means to undertake the extensive restoration needed, leaving it disassembled.
- 2005 → 2016Private saleHans Georg Frersfull documentation
German Porsche collector who commissioned a thorough restoration; bodywork was entrusted to Ulrich Weinberg in Zetel, and the four-cam engine to Swiss specialist Armin Baumann for a complete rebuild.
- 2016 →Private saleCurrent consignorfull documentation
Acquired the fully restored car and retains restoration records, a historical file, correspondence with Otto Glöckler, and a FIVA identity card.
Competition
- 19541954 Liège–Rome–LiègeDriver: Helm GlöcklerTechnical retirement (oil supply failure), though the car reportedly crossed the finish line
Co-driven by Max Nathan; the car debuted here after missing its intended debut at the 1954 Mille Miglia due to late completion.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2005RestorationUlrich Weinberg
A full restoration was undertaken following acquisition by Hans Georg Frers. Bodywork repair was carried out by Ulrich Weinberg of Zetel, Germany, who retained all original aluminium panels except the front section. The four-cam engine received a complete overhaul by a Swiss specialist.
Engine rebuild assigned separately to Armin Baumann of Switzerland; restoration documentation accompanies the car.
- 2005Engine rebuildArmin Baumann
The Fuhrmann four-cam engine P90016 was fully rebuilt by a Swiss specialist as part of the broader restoration programme.
Work carried out concurrently with the Weinberg bodywork restoration commissioned by Hans Georg Frers.
- —Modification
The car's original engine was exchanged for a 1.5-litre Fuhrmann four-cam unit numbered P90016, originally fitted to Porsche 550 Spyder chassis 550-0026. Such drivetrain substitutions were reportedly routine during the period.
Occurred at some point during the first decades of the car's life; precise date unknown.
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