Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500

The vehicle in detail

When he purchased the car, it was, like many 356s, upgraded with modern parts. He therefore began a restoration to return it as close to original specification as possible. The bodywork was thoroughly addressed, with the floors, sills and battery tray replaced, along with minor repairs and straightening, before the car was repainted in the correct Turkish Red exterior colour.

Mechanically, the car retains the correct 1500-model engine (a few hundred numbers away from matching), rebuilt with new pistons and cylinders, a machined flywheel, refurbished cylinder heads, and a fully rebuilt fuel system including the pump, carburettor, tank, tap, lines and sender. The car also runs Porsche’s stronger 1956/57 gearbox—an upgrade carried out in the 1950s—which has since been inspected and resealed, along with a new clutch and release bearing. Braking was comprehensively renewed with rebuilt drums and shoes, new original-spec ATE hydraulics, and all-new hoses, lines and handbrake cables.

Inside, the seats, trim and headliner were retrimmed by Autos International in California, complemented by new carpets, correct rubber mats, refreshed seat hardware, a new SIEGLA OEM windscreen, and detail items such as pedal boards and rubbers. To finish it properly, the electrical system was rewired with a complete new loom, and key components such as lights and the starter motor were replaced, along with fresh exterior seals, trims and badges.