Porsche 356 A 1600 Super Speedster

The car then went down to our paint preparation shop, where it spent several hundred hours being sealed, primed, and extensively blocked. The undercarriage was undercoated to factory standards and finished in the correct shade of black. A final layer of primer was added, and then final blocking was performed before the Black Glasurit paint was applied. Following paint application, the tub was baked in our Binks down-draft paint booth to ensure a strong chip-resistant finish. A full color sand and buff was performed to finish the process.

Following paint, the car was partially assembled before being sent to AutoBahn Interiors in Sorrento Valley to install the full red leather. Correct square weave carpet was installed throughout, and a black top with a matching tonneau cover was made for the car. The car then returned to CPR, and the final assembly was completed.

The drivetrain was completely overhauled during the restoration. The gearbox was rebuilt in-house, where a complete overhaul was performed, including a new gearset, synchros, bearings, main shaft, and a detailed blasting and refinish to the case. The engine was also rebuilt in-house at CPR and upgraded with a 1720cc big bore kit. The engine now produces near 100hp and allows the car to drive comfortably at highway speeds.

Following the final assembly, the car was sorted and driven 150 miles for break-in. The car was completed in July of 2017 and was shown at a local San Diego classic car show before being shipped home to the client who commissioned the restoration in Connecticut. The owner stored the car with the rest of his collection in a climate-controlled facility. Over three years of ownership, the owner only drove the car 91 miles. It now shows just 241 miles since its restoration.

This Speedster is the definition of a properly sorted 356. The fit and finish of every surface, gap, and fixture are second to none. The car is a breath of fresh air from the minute you sit in the driver’s bucket seat to the moment you pull her into the garage after a lively canyon drive.

The 356 Speedster is a Porsche Icon. The 1958 T2 Speedsters, in our opinion, are the most collectible given they were the last year, the most developed, and the most excellent variant of the Speedster to drive by a considerable margin. If you are in the market for a Speedster that is ready for anything from the beautiful car shows to a vintage rally, this is a must-consider example.