Gearbox no. 3722

• Imported from the USA
• Matching numbers (chassis, engine, transmission)
• Full professional restoration by Roger Bray
• Sorted and ready to enjoy

"...after a turn at the wheel of the new Porsche... one is forced to admit that this is the Car of Tomorrow. That appears, on its face, to be an exaggerated statement, but experience with the car has given an entirely new driving experience to the test staff. It is safe to say that no car in the history of Road & Track has offered so many different and new driving sensations." - Road & Track on the Porsche 356, November 1952.

Although Ferdinand Porsche had established his automotive design consultancy in the early 1930s, his name would not appear on a car until 1949. When it did, it graced one of the all-time great sports cars: the Porsche 356. Having commenced manufacture with a short run of aluminium-bodied cars built at Gmünd, Porsche began volume production of the steel-bodied 356 coupe at its old base in Stuttgart, at first in premises shared with coachbuilders Reutter and then (from 1955) in its original factory at Zuffenhausen. The work of Ferry Porsche, the 356 was based on the Volkswagen designed by his father. Like the immortal 'Beetle', the 356 employed a platform-type chassis with rear-mounted air-cooled engine and torsion bar all-independent suspension, yet somehow contrived to offer level of performance that belied the basic layout's humble origins.

In 1951 an aluminium-bodied works car finished first in the 1,100cc class at the Le Mans 24-Hour Race and 20th overall, thus beginning the marque's long and illustrious association with La Sarthe. Constant development saw the 356's engine progressively enlarged, with 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre units first becoming available in 1951. In 1952 the original split windscreen was replaced by a one-piece, and a Porsche synchromesh gearbox adopted. 1955 marked the arrival of the revised 356A, the newcomer being readily distinguished by its curved windscreen and 15" - down from 16" - wheels.

One of only 328 built in 1954, this rare 'Pre-A' cabriolet was completed on 25th June of that year and imported into the USA by New York-based Max Hoffman, the famous and highly influential importer of European luxury and sports cars. Listed in the Kardex as 'US standard specification', it features reclining seats and a passenger sun visor (features usually associated with the de luxe model) and cost $3,685 when new. The radio and Hirschman aerial are not listed on the Kardex, so presumably were fitted by the supplying dealer at their customer's request.

Some 25 years ago the Porsche was imported from the USA and stripped of all its paint before being left in a barn for over 17 years. Marque specialists Roger Bray Restoration purchased the car in 2011 and stored it for a few years before embarking on one of his world class restorations, restoring it to near original condition from a bare shell. The car was very complete (see photos on file). Specification highlights include the following: Silver Metallic paint (5406); Wine leather interior; Telefunken radio (very rare); correct 16″ wheels; reclining front seats; fuel gauge (rare); sun visors, etc. On completion this exceptional car was featured in a seven-page article by Keith Seume in Classic Porsche magazine (2018, issue number 52). Classic Porsche reckoned that the restoration was, without doubt, one of the best they had seen, concluding: "Whoever becomes the new owner of this gem will surely be a happy man, or woman. It drives like a new car, is fast enough to keep up with modern traffic and looks a million dollars."

Bonhams are proud to be offering this example, directly from Roger Brays personal collection on the 75th Anniversary of the Marque.