The work of Ferry Porsche, the 356 was based on the Volkswagen designed by his father, and like the immortal ‘Beetle’ employed a platform-type chassis with rear-mounted air-cooled engine and all-independent torsion bar suspension. Regularly revised and updated, Porsche’s landmark sports car would remain in production well into the 911 era, the final examples being built in 1965.
Cabriolets had been manufactured right from the start of Type 356 production, but the first open Porsche to make a significant impact was the Speedster, introduced in 1954 following the successful reception in the USA of a batch of 15 special roadsters that had been constructed in 1952. Instantly recognisable by virtue of its low, wraparound - as opposed to V-shaped - windscreen, lower door waistline and abbreviated hood, the Speedster was, in effect, an ‘economy’ model intended to compete with the cheaper British sports cars. It proved deservedly popular - 4,822 being constructed between 1954 and ’58 - and today this most handsome of the 356 variants enjoys cult status.
Highly sought after and commensurately expensive, original 356 Speedsters are well beyond the reach of the majority enthusiasts, a situation that has led to the emergence of a ‘cottage industry’ of replica builders. This example was built by Vintage Speedsters, of Hawaiian Gardens, California, USA, which is the world’s largest manufacturer of such replicas with more than 2,500 cars to its credit since 1988. Replicas are available in kit form or, as in this case, fully finished ‘turnkey’ vehicles, while customers can choose from a lengthy list of options to personalise their car. Unlike some early Speedster replicas, which used an abbreviated Volkswagen floorpan lacking additional reinforcement, the Vintage Speedsters’ design employs a custom-built, jig-welded steel framework which is welded to a restored and shortened VW floorpan.
The Speedster offered here is finished in dark grey metallic with beige leather interior and matching tonneau cover and soft-top. It is equipped with the optional 1,915cc engine breathing via twin Weber carburettors, which produces approximately 85bhp, an improvement of 15bhp over the standard 1,600cc unit. Presented in ‘as new’ condition having covered only 105 kilometres since delivery, the car is offered without reserve.
Le Speedster proposé ici est de couleur grise foncée métallisée avec sellerie en cuir beige et couvre-tonneau et capote assortis. Il est équipé du moteur optionnel 1 915 cm3 doté de deux carburateurs Weber et produisant 85 ch, soit 15 de mieux que le 1 600 standard. N'ayant couvert que 105 km depuis sa livraison, ce Speedster est dans un état quasi-neuf. Il est offert sans prix de réserve.