Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500

Specifications and condition

The car has been built to perform at the highest level in historic racing but not at the expense of either the quality of finish or the feel of authenticity.

The 1,600cc engine was built for competitive racing by Steve Winter at Jaz Porsche and produces 162 hp at 7,000 rpm. The engine manages to achieve a class leading power output while remaining tractable at normal revs and unfussy to drive on the road. The Type 741 gearbox was also rebuilt by Steve Winter. It has syncromesh on all gears, short ratios and a limited slip differential.

The car’s interior was fully retrimmed in its original smart blue colourway (as specified on the Reutter build sheets). The work was completed by award-winning trimmer Neil Tadman of Neil’s Auto Interiors. The dash was also refinished by Sportwagen in the correct blue shade it would have had when new.

The car presents extremely well with few signs of use. It comes with a collection of spares including a steel bonnet and engine lid, a valuable 1954 Type 546/1 three-piece engine case and a spare set of wheels. It has had an FIA HTP for the last ten years and this expired at the end of 2025. A new HTP has been applied for and is pending.

Our thoughts

The very first examples of the Porsche 356 are widely regarded as one of the 20th century’s most beautiful examples of industrial design. An organic shape that is perfectly resolved no matter which angle you view it from. Distinguished from the more common later cars by their bent windscreens, they have a purity of form that is uncorrupted from the designer’s original vision.

This particular example manages to retain this aesthetic, while at the same time benefitting from a mechanical set up that will make it competitive at elite historic motorsport events the world over. The early 356 is particularly eligible for multiple events, including Le Mans Classic, the Mille Miglia and the Tour Auto, but it would need some revision from its current Goodwood Revival specification.

As the fastest grids at Goodwood see ever more specialised bespoke new racing car builds, it is a real joy to have this beautifully executed Porsche sports car with its convincing ring of period correct authenticity and detail. The car’s careful development has seen it retain a most enjoyable usability: the engine’s tractability is particularly impressive, meaning that road events would be entirely feasible.

We have been lucky enough to sell a number of special and beautiful 356s but we would go as far as to say that this example is as lovely and desirable as any road-racing 356 we have ever seen – simple, tasteful perfection.