Overview Gallery Details Vehicle in detail Specs Specifications

Porsche 356 B 1600 Super

Cabriolet, 1963

Highlights

Matching engine and transmission per Porsche Certificate of Authenticity
Chassis no. 158166
THE SCOTTSDALE AUCTION 2026

1963 Porsche 356B 1600 Super T6 Cabriolet

Chassis no. 158166 – Engine no. 703754

1,582cc OHV Flat 4-Cylinder Engine, 2 Zenith Carburetors, 75bhp at 5,000rpm, 4-Speed Manual Transaxle, 4-Wheel Independent Suspension, 4-Wheel Drum Brakes

* Matching engine and transmission per Porsche Certificate of Authenticity * Resplendent in its factory-correct Signal Red (6211) over black leather—a timeless, evocative livery * Faithful, restoration by CRC Rods Classics and Jimmy’s CRC Rods Classics (2004–2005) with upholstery by Auto’s International * Offered with Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, extensive invoices, owner’s manual, tool roll, jack, suitcase, and boot cover * Formerly owned by Golden Globe-winning actress Tuesday Weld; subsequent long-term enthusiast ownership

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The vehicle in detail

Completed on March 18, 1963, chassis 158166 is among the 931 Reutter-bodied 356B T6 Cabriolets produced for that model year and was delivered as a desirable EU-market specification car. According to the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity on file, this Super Cabriolet was factory-finished in the evocative combination of Signal Red (6211) with a black leather interior, featuring Dunlop tires and chrome wheels.
This 356B boasts documented provenance, including celebrated actress Tuesday Weld—recipient of a Golden Globe and Academy Award nominee—who is confirmed to have owned the car in the 1990s.
In 2004, the car entered the collection of Mr. Cottrell, who immediately embarked on a comprehensive high-level restoration, entrusting the process to CRC Rods Classics and Jimmy’s CRC Rods Classics of Shakopee, Minnesota. The restoration was meticulous and sympathetic, emphasizing originality and authenticity throughout. The bodywork was stripped to bare metal, thoroughly sandblasted and treated for corrosion, before being expertly refinished in its factory-correct Signal Red.
The interior was entrusted to Autos International of Escondido, California, renowned for their factory-correct Porsche upholstery work. Black leather seats, matching door panels, dash, and rear seating were carefully crafted and installed, complemented by luxurious charcoal German square weave carpeting. Factory VDO instrumentation was dispatched to North Hollywood Speedometer & Clock Co. in October 2004 for detailed restoration and conversion. The interior retains its original VDM Carrera 2 wood-rimmed steering wheel, deluxe chrome horn ring, matching wood shift knob, Sapphire II AM/FM radio, and tan cocoa mats.

Mechanically, the 356B’s original, matching-numbers engine (type 616/2, number 703754) and transmission (number 63058) were fully rebuilt by Cottrell Racing Engines, with parts sourced exclusively from Porsche specialists including Stoddard and Willhoit Auto Restoration.

Notably, this car rides on its original-style 4.5″ x 15″ chrome-plated wheels, wearing Super hubcaps and correct Dunlop 165 SR 15 tires, underscoring the authenticity of every detail. Exterior jewelry including headlights, turn signals, taillights, and glass all bear the correct period markings, while the paintwork exhibits a deep, lustrous finish. This Cabriolet’s fit and finish throughout—panel gaps, trim, and brightwork—remain at a standard befitting the model’s premier status.

This 356B Super T6 Cabriolet is offered with extensive documentation, including the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, a tool kit, jack, suitcase, boot cover, owner’s manual, 18 years of service and restoration invoices, and a remarkable trove of receipts chronicling its restoration: sandblasting, panel straightening, instrument refurbishment, brightwork re-chroming, and reupholstery. This impressive file testifies to the car’s careful preservation and the lengths its stewards have gone to assure its enduring excellence.

Having covered 101,180 miles over its lifetime, this example is representative of careful ownership and consistent maintenance. Every aspect—mechanical, cosmetic, and structural—reflects a deep commitment to authenticity by those charged with its care.

For the collector seeking a 356B of unassailable provenance and presentation—or the enthusiast desiring an open-top Porsche that captures the marque’s essential virtues—chassis 158166 must be considered among a fine extant. Combining its matching-numbers status, factory-correct colorway, celebrity provenance, and a painstaking restoration, this T6 Cabriolet offers a singular opportunity to acquire a true masterwork of Porsche’s early legacy.
THE PORSCHE 356B SUPER T6 CABRIOLET

The T6 body—introduced for the 1962 model year—ushered in a number of critical improvements, including a squared front hood, larger windows and windshield, twin engine-lid grilles, and a more capacious trunk, all while maintaining the iconic 356 silhouette. The cabin benefitted from improved instrumentation, more ergonomic seating, increased visibility, and a renewed focus on comfort, making it ideally suited to both spirited touring and daily use.

Beneath its understated lines, the 356B T6 Super was injected with genuine sporting prowess. The Super engine, designated Type 616/2, employed higher compression and other refinements to produce 75 hp—an impressive output for its era from just 1.6 liters. The performance was spirited, allowing for brisk acceleration and an ability to cruise with confidence, thanks in part to the race-bred underpinnings: all-independent suspension, a robust ZF steering system, and predictable four-wheel drum brakes.

Open-top motoring always lay at the heart of Porsche’s appeal, with the Cabriolet—bodied by” Karosserie Reutter”—offering a particularly intoxicating blend of style and freedom. Just 931 Reutter T6 Cabriolets were produced in 1963, representing a rare breed within an already exclusive family. Highly prized by collectors, these final 356B Cabriolets radiate Porsche’s essential character through every detail and driving experience.

The 1963 Cabriolet’s combination of performance, elegance, and driver engagement explains its modern popularity among discerning enthusiasts. Maintaining full weather protection with a folding convertible top and refined roll-upside window, the 356B Super T6 Cabriolet transcends summer-only pleasure, offering a usable classic suitable for rallies, tours, and concours displays alike. When specified in historic livery—such as Signal Red over black leather—its presence is both dramatic and sublime.

Rarity, attractive specification, and the 356’s celebrated driving dynamics make the 1963 Super T6 Cabriolet a connoisseur’s choice. Steeped in competition pedigree, and exuding craftsmanship at every seam, the Porsche 356B Cabriolet remains one of the most admired and sought-after open sports cars ever conceived