Porsche 356 A 1600 Convertible D

Mechanically, powered by a matching driveline, the 1600cc Normal engine produces 60HP and has plenty of power paired with a 4-speed manual 716 transmission. Complete with maintenance instructions for Porsche bodies booklet, Becker operation instructions manual, Becker service booklet, operating instructions for convertible top – booklet, owner’s manual, and 63 years of service history. Convertible D’s have become highly collectible, and well-documented examples such as this 356 come to the market very rarely.

History
In July 1958, Porsche sent a letter to all its foreign representatives, stating that the four-year-old, bare-bones Speedster, which had been designed specifically for the Western markets of the United States, had not been well-received elsewhere. A new model was forthcoming for 1959, and it would be manufactured by Karosseriewerke Drauz, of Heilbronn.

This would be the Convertible D, which was introduced as an interim step before the arrival of the 356 B Roadster in 1960. The new ConvD would offer buyers Speedster-like styling, but it added such amenities as a wind-up door glass in place of side curtains, a taller windshield, a better taller top, and a more luxurious interior with coupe seats standard. New and larger teardrop-shaped taillights would replace the earlier “bee-hive” style lamps, and U.S. cars were fitted with front and rear bumper guards and over-riders. Porsche sales literature described the new Convertible D as “a dynamic car of beautiful proportions. Extra light and low in design for competition and pleasure driving.”

Only 1,331 Convertible Ds were built between August 1958 and September 1959, with nearly all being fitted with either the 60-horsepower Normal 1600cc engine or a special ordered 75-horsepower Super 1600cc engine. With a curb weight of less than 2,000 pounds, the Convertible D could reach 60 mph in a little more than 14 seconds in Normal form, and it was capable of topping 100 mph. With relatively quick steering (2.3 turns lock to lock), handling was very good, and the large four-wheel drum brakes were quite effective.