Overview Gallery Details Vehicle in detail Specs Specifications

Porsche 356 Modified

Racing car, 1959

Highlights

From The Tommy Trabue Collection
Chassis 108296
AMELIA ISLAND AUCTIONS 2026

1959 PORSCHE 356 A COUPE

Car Highlights: Finished in Silver Metallic over a Black Competition-Focused Interior – Prepared for SVRA Vintage Competition – Long-Term Ownership by Tommy Trabue – Equipped with Later Type 616/15 Engine and Fire Suppression System – Eligible for Numerous Vintage Racing Series Worldwide

Technical Specs: 1,582 CC OHV Type 616/15 Air-Cooled Flat 4-Cylinder Engine – Twin Dell’Orto Carburetors – Estimated 90 BHP at 6,000 RPM – 4-Speed Manual Transaxle – 4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes – 4-Wheel Independent Suspension with Torsion Bars and Tubular Shock Absorbers

Please note that this vehicle is equipped with a 616/35 engine case, not a 616/15 engine case as stated in the published catalogue.

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The vehicle in detail

Introduced in 1955, the Porsche 356 A evolved from the original 356 with smoother bodywork and numerous refinements to improve performance and comfort. Built through 1959, updates included a single-piece panoramic windscreen, integrated indicators, a revised crest-bearing hood handle, teardrop taillights from 1957 onward, and suspension, braking, and interior improvements that enhanced ride quality and handling.

Currently finished in Silver Metallic but originally delivered from the factory in Meissen Blue (703), this 1959 Porsche 356 A was prepared for SVRA (Sportscar Vintage Racing Association) competition. To reduce weight, much of the car’s original decorative exterior trim was removed, including its front and rear bumpers. Inside, nonessential trim was pared back in favor of safety, reduced mass, and improved driver control. Improvements included a supportive bucket racing seat, smaller-diameter three-spoke steering wheel, and a plumbed fire-suppression system. Installed with reliability in mind, a later Type 616/15 engine is currently fitted, featuring modernized ignition components as well as braided fuel and oil lines. This 356 A Coupe has been owned for many decades by Tommy Trabue, an active participant in American vintage motorsports, campaigning early Porsches – including this 356 and short-wheelbase 911s – from the 1980s onward. Appealingly presented, this 356 A offers an excellent opportunity for continued competition use.