There is something deeply satisfying about a car with a story. Not a manufactured one, not a polished showroom narrative — a real story, with real miles, real hands, and real history. Chassis 58031 has all of that and more. A genuine 1956 Porsche 356A Coupe that spent most of its life in the Pacific Northwest before making its way south to Oregon, this is a car that lived, was loved, rested, and is now on the threshold of something exceptional.
The previous owner picked up 58031 in the early 1990s with the best of intentions — a daily driver for his wife, painted in a few coats of 1953 Pearl Grey while he planned a future full restoration. For the next fifteen years they drove her through the Oregon countryside, out to the coast, and back again. She was lived in, enjoyed, and cared for the way these cars deserve to be. Eventually, as life tends to do, time caught up with them and 58031 was parked. A decade passed.
When the car surfaced for sale it took a few weeks of deliberation, a few emails, a few phone calls — and then a drive north past Mount Shasta into Oregon with the boys in tow. It was love at first sight. A second trip sealed the deal and 58031 came home to Northern California.
The Overhaul
What followed was nine months of methodical, thorough work covering every major and minor component of the car — inside and out. The body was left intentionally untouched. The goal was to drive her as she looked, patina and all, while the mechanicals were brought back to life properly.
The engine presented an interesting discovery. The previous owner had found the car not running and opted to install a VW unit rather than address the original 1600cc 356A motor, which had simply been set aside and left. Nearly thirty years of dormancy. For most that would be cause for concern. For this builder, it was the whole point.
Every component was documented before it came apart — photographed, bagged, tagged, and written up for reassembly. Parts went off to platers and powder coaters. The engine was taken down to a long block, thoroughly inspected, and rebuilt piece by piece. Nothing was rushed. Nothing was guessed at.
The front suspension received equal attention. A broken bearing shell prompted a full replacement of surrounding components. The brake system was updated thoughtfully — the original 356A drums retained, but upgraded with B-spec bearings, B front spindles sourced from Gary Emory for added strength, and a set of race-welded front trailing arms from Bruce Anderson — taco’d, as they’re known in the community, for superior stiffness and rigidity up front. The front link and king pin setup was fully rebuilt and aligned. Everything underneath was replated, powder coated, and reassembled with better pieces where better pieces existed.
The Vision
Every build tells you what it wants to be if you listen closely enough. 58031 spoke clearly.
The vision is an authentic period GT build — the kind of machine you would have seen at a racing circuit in the late 1950s. Bumpers stripped in true Carrera spirit, hood straps, a Sebring exhaust, an aluminum GT mirror, and race roundels on the body. Purposeful. Uncompromising. Alive.
As for color — research always tells the truth. Beneath layers of Pearl Grey, factory undercoating, and years of accumulated life, the original paint revealed itself: Aquamarine Blue Metallic over a Red interior. The Kardex confirmed it without question. The bones of something truly special were always there.
The Recognition
Before the build reached its next phase, 58031 made a statement of its own. In 2019 the car traveled south to Los Angeles and earned a prominent featured placement at Luftgekühlt 6 — the celebrated air-cooled Porsche gathering held at Universal Studios in Burbank. For those who know the show, placement at Luft is not given lightly. It is curated, considered, and competitive. 58031 held its own among the finest air-cooled machinery in the world, patina and all — a testament to the authenticity and character that no fresh restoration can manufacture. By 2020 the car had returned to Southern California, where it currently resides.
The Current State
The floor pans are currently being replaced with all new steel from Restoration Design. Significant metalwork and bodywork at the front of the car is nearing completion. The running engine — a strong, reliable workhorse that has seen duty in other builds during testing — is included and ready. Every catalogued part needed for reassembly comes with the car.
The Opportunity
This is where it gets interesting — and where the conversation begins.
58031 is available as-is at the current asking price: a deeply sorted, well-documented, mechanically overhauled 356A with new floor steel, a running engine, and all parts needed for reassembly. Take it across the finish line your way.
Or — and this is the more compelling proposition — let’s talk about finishing this build together. A period GT Outlaw built correctly and cost-effectively in today’s market will not only be a pure joy to drive and own, it will carry significantly greater value when complete. Aquamarine Blue Metallic, Red leather interior, Speedster seats with tartan inserts, Sebring exhaust, race-correct details — (or you decide) finished to the vision this car has always been moving toward.
Either way, 58031 is ready for its next chapter. The only question is who gets to write it.
Text or email for full documented images.
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