This Porsche 356 A Coupe was ordered new by David K. Fogg of Tacoma, Washington in early 1959. The car was highly optioned in black with a black leather interior and a Super motor. But it was also extremely well outfitted with Michelin tires, 2 vent “wing” windows, sealed beam headlights, dimming “day/night” mirror, central locking “Rudge” wheels, US bumpers with overriders, VDM “GT” wood steering wheel and requisite headlight flasher switch on the steering column, and right and left Ponto-Stabil mirrors.
These highly desirable and ultra-rare options are documented on the Porsche factory Kartex and Certificate of Authenticity. Better yet, these options are on the car today.
The A Coupe was eventually traded in on a new 356 B Cabriolet at Tom Carsten’s Autohaus in Tacoma, Washington. Carsten’s Autohaus was known for well-optioned early Porsches and many repeat customers. Fogg was one of these special clients, and the type to upgrade his car after just a couple of years.
Two days after Christmas in 1962, the Porsche was bought by W.E. James, a Pacific Northwest resident. The invoice, which remains with the car to this day, shows the $2,914.50 purchase. The car remained with the James family for decades and was eventually given to Leland James on his 18th birthday.
In 2009, Leland decided it was time for a restoration, and the A Coupe was entrusted to all the best-regarded craftsmen in the Seattle area; the body work and bare-metal paint job was in initially undertaken by Eurotech, but was handed over to and completed by Kerstin Rillos of Rillos Restoration; the chrome trim was replated and rubber was replaced, the underside was properly repaired and undercoated; Jack Morris of Wolfsburg Motorwerks Inc. rebuilt the engine and gearbox, which included installation of a desirable “big bore” kit as well as rebuilding of the brakes, suspension, gauges and electrical work; and the interior was correctly refinished in black leather by Steve Schepp of Classic Interior Restorations along with new German black square weave carpet and correct headliner and restored sun visors.
The car was completed in 2012 with invoices on hand totaling well over $100,000 and went on to win its class at the following Porsche Parade. The 356 is striking as well as authentic, and it’s worth noting the car still retains many date-coded original parts. Aside from the windshield, all the glass including the rare vent windows are original. The Porsche even retains beautiful original black paint on the dashboard – all of which shows the quality and integrity of the car. Furthermore, the car retains its numbers-matching engine and gearbox as well as the original stamped hood and deck lid. Not only is this a special 356, it was always a good one.
Used minimally after the restoration and concours win, Leland kept the car until early 2021 – nearly six decades of single-family ownership. The car is complete with the original Service Book, owner’s manual set, Kartex, CoA, 1962 invoice to the W.E. James, original toolkit, jack, original dated Rudge wheels, Porsche Parade badge, restoration photos and invoices, Porsche Parade judging sheets, and magazine features.
This is undoubtedly among the very best of all 356s. Not only is it a desirable year and model, but it is also factory supplied in a rare color combination with a Super engine. Additionally, it has an incredible and documented list of desirable factory accessories which remain today. It benefits for nearly 60 years of single-family ownership. The car is fully matching numbers and is exceptionally correct in detail. It has a Porsche Parade winning restoration by highly regarded marque experts and specialists. This is surely a one-off example of one of the most desirable models in Porsche production.
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