Completed in late 1961, this D’Ieteren built Twin Grille Roadster, as they’ve come to be known, is one of just 248 examples feating the updated T6 body style with exterior fuel filler and twin rear engine grills. Finished in the fantastic period color of Champagne Yellow with a black interior, the Porsche was further specified with a single headrest, hardware to be fitted to both seats, and hubcaps with the Porsche crest.
The Porsche’s first owner was Robert Freels of New Egypt, New Jersey though it’s believed he bought the car new in Germany. An original agreement for the sale of the Porsche to its second owner, Hans Arvidson, in 1963 denotes a trade in, but an ultimate purchase price of $3,640.
Arvidson, a member of the Air Force’s 38th Air Transport Division, was stationed around the US, from New Jersey to Colorado to Louisiana, and continued to take the 356 Roadster along with him. Copies of old titles and registrations document his moves, including a 1974 title transfer noting 77,700 miles. Baton Rouge would be home for the next 37 years.
Arvidson retained the Porsche for 43 years, until his passing, when the 356 was inherited by his son Erik. During the Arvidson family ownership, the Porsche received plenty of care and attention. From 1990 to 1991 the Porsche received restoration work by Bill Edwards, Restoration Services of Colorado, and was colored changed to black. Receipts for this work remain with the car, totaling nearly $20,000. Further mechanical work, including an engine rebuild, was performed throughout the period 2007 to 2011, totaling roughly $15,500.
In 2011 the car was acquired by Ed Wyche of Huntington Beach, California. Over the next two years, Wyche conducted and oversaw a full restoration to return the car to its factory delivered colors and presentation. Totaling over $73,000, the project is well documented with invoices and photos throughout the process. Finished in its rare, factory original Champagne Yellow with a black leather interior, the Roadster is quite the standout.
In 2013 the car joined a significant collection in California’s Bay Area where it saw regular use and maintenance. Attesting to the quality of the mechanical work, the odometer now shows 5,200 miles added since the completion of the restoration. Today the car remains very high point and is complete with its manuals, original toolkit, Kartex, Certificate of Authenticity and history and restoration binder.
One of just 248 Twin Grille Roadsters produced, and far fewer that remain matching-numbers and correctly restored, this is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most sought after open-top Porsche models.
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