Introduced in late 1954, the Porsche 356 Speedster was a true dual-purpose sports car – one that could serve as both daily transportation and, with minor modifications, a successful weekend race car. Originally priced at $2,995 – well below Porsche’s coupe and cabriolet models – the Speedster was equipped with a stylish, cut-down windscreen, racy bucket seats, minimal folding soft top, and side curtains in place of standard roll-up windows. These features reduced the car’s weight and made it ideally suited to competition use. It was not long before the 356 Speedster established itself as a dominant force in sports car racing.
With its competition record, brilliant driving dynamics, and quality build, the Speedster was a favorite among sports car enthusiasts, particularly in California, where top-down motoring is possible almost every day of the year. The fact that celebrities such as James Dean and Steve McQueen owned Speedsters contributed greatly to the model’s iconoclastic image.
According to a copy of the accompanying Porsche Kardex, this 356 A Speedster, chassis 83215, was completed on April 9, 1957. Originally finished in white with black vinyl upholstery and equipped with US-specification bumpers and headlights, this Porsche was delivered new to official dealer AMAG of Schinznach-Bad, Switzerland, and sold new to John S. Kozina, an American military serviceman stationed in Europe.
By the mid-1960s, the Speedster had made its way to California, where it was repainted silver and sold to Roger Hanke, the owner of a Phillips 66 service station in Fresno. A devoted Volkswagen and Porsche enthusiast, Mr. Hanke installed a roll bar and Goodyear racing tires, then campaigned his Speedster in local autocross events through the early 1970s. Around 1973, the Porsche was retired from use and the engine was disassembled in anticipation of a rebuild. This work never commenced, but the major engine components were retained and are included with the car today.
The Porsche Kardex confirms that the engine is the original matching-numbers unit, (no. 65050) and, although no gearbox number is recorded, the car is equipped with a correct type 644 unit (no. 13909) with proper BBAB Speedster gearing. Additionally, the hood and deck lid can be seen stamped with the last digits of the chassis number (215), the wheels feature early 1957 date codes, and the Speedster is accompanied by its soft-top frame, tonneau, and original California black-and-yellow license plates.
Parked in static storage for 50 years and presented today in as-found condition, this highly sought-after 1957 356 A Speedster is a prime candidate for a complete concours-quality restoration, outlaw build, or a mechanical recommissioning, readying it for use in the numerous rallies, shows, and Porsche club events for which it is eligible.
*Please note that this vehicle is titled by its engine number. Please also note that this vehicle has been in long-term static storage and may not be currently operational. It will require mechanical attention prior to road use.
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