Chassis no. 60597, a US-specification 1500 Normal developing 55 horsepower, is one of only 143 Reutter cabriolets built in 1954, completed 25 June of that year for shipment to Max Hoffman, Porsche’s American distributor in New York City. In 1995 it was exported to the United Kingdom, where its owner decided the car was in need of restoration. He only got as far as stripping the original paint. The car was then parked in a dry shed, where it remained for 17 years. Afterwards, the car was brought to marque specialist Roger Bray, who undertook a comprehensive bare-metal rotisserie restoration.
All body panels were found to be original and largely rust-free. A few areas such as the battery box and front floor panels were repaired. After the body was re-sprayed its original Silver Metallic, the interior was re-upholstered in red leather. All mechanical components and systems were overhauled to as-new standard. It is important to note that the car is not fitted with its original engine but retains a Type 546 1500 engine of the correct type.
This concours-quality 356 is equipped with screen washers, reclining seats, anti-glare ‘eyebrows’ over the dashboard instruments, a rare fuel gauge, and a red-trimmed Telefunken radio with Hirschmann antenna. Bray preserved as many of the car’s original parts as possible; thus, it is supplied with its original tool roll and a correct jack. A Certificate of Authenticity and a detailed portfolio of restoration photographs is included. Lavished with praise in the pages of Classic Porsche magazine, this extraordinary cabriolet presents beautifully and would be a worthwhile addition to any collection of sports cars.
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