1959 Porsche 356 Metallic Silver Convertible D

Do not be fooled by the cold alphanumerics of its model name: The Porsche 356 A 1. The 356 B dster that would arrive for 1960 offered similar styling, but with an added dose of luxury. In the interim, Porsche commissioned coachbuilder Drauz of , many to create a special run of cars to fill the gap.  The new car added such amenities that are very useful for the “rally” crowd, as in wind-up door glass in place of side curtains, a 2” taller windshield, a much better top with mega headroom, and a more luxurious interior with cushioned seats make for a much more comfortable and useable car for travel. 
  

Porsche sales literature described the new Convertible D as “a dynamic car of beautiful proportions. Extra light and low in design for competition and pleasure driving.” Built only for 1959, just 1,331 examples of the Speedsters built between 1955-1959, 2902 dsters between 1960-1962.  Compare those numbers to the ultra-rare 1331 Convertible D’s ever built. The comfortable seats, roomy top and convenience of the rollup windows combine to make this roadster the no-brainer pick for a car to DRIVE on any type of longer duration trip or rally.    
  

Completed on the 2nd of June 1959, this US-specification Convertible D most likely passed through the important New based distributor Max fman on the way to its first owner, whose name we do not have. The ownership history starts with a Patricia M. uhas of sville NJ in May 1972 – then sold to a Charles S. ro of onton, NJ on 7-26-85.  J. appears to be the next owner, who passed it on in late 2000 to Greg zani who brought the car to fornia for restoration.  The zani Family is synonymous with VW & Porsche as one of the earliest dealers (1962) in Southern CA.  The Porsche Certificate of thenticity, note that it was finished in the very attractive combination of Silver llic (5706) over Black – therette. It was further equipped with Outer ar ew ror – Drivers , US rs, Sealed-Beam Headlights & s.
  

80 pages of receipts and notes, encompassing over $90K spent by Greg zani and his team of craftsman accompany this vehicle. This Convertible D was comprehensively restored to a very high standard. Mechanical work, including attention to its numbers-matching 1600 engine,  was performed by Porsche 356 specialist John hout of hout to storations of , CA and John of Performance in , CA. Just watch the video and listen to the “music” made at high-rev by this amazing air-cooled machine.  ng the restoration the car was converted to 12V, making for easy startups even after weeks of sitting.  
  

This stunning rotisserie style restoration was performed over a roughly seven year period of time. Greg zani sold the car to a well known a Porsche Collector who is a friend of mine.  The car has been shown rarely and has been part of a larger collection that is being thinned out.  The car has been kept in a climate controlled building since 2017. 
  

Every aspect of this rare Convertible D has been attended to at the highest level or restoration. There are less than 1000 break in miles since the restoration was completed.  The car is perfection and needs nothing.  
  

Benefitting from single-year exclusivity, a comprehensive concours scale restoration in its excellent factory colors, and the presence of its numbers-matching 1600 engine & transmission, this Convertible D is truly a rare Porsche 356 to drive, show, and enjoy.
  

If you are in Southern CA feel free contact us for an opportunity to view this amazing example.
 
  500 large format pictures are available at this link:
 
  https://imageshack.com/a/vwg17/1
 

  lk-around, starting and driving video:
 
 

https://youtu.be/NlMuH_ZLdX  

 14

 

Build : 06-02-59 

 

ne #74406       616/1 T2 

 

smission #23682

 

smission Comment: 59BBAB

 

Converted to 12V  

Mighty Max Gel ttery – January 2023

 

66420

 

Exterior r: Silver llic (5706) / Black therette / Black Top

 

Additional Information: 1 – Outer ar ew ror – Driver’s , Sealed-Beamed Headlights, U.S. rs, s 

 This represents a partial list of receipts that were kept during the restoration.  

             (All ceipts & Notes on the build come with the car) 

 

2005 – 2010 

 

 

 

 

 

2006-09-04

 

 

New Wiring rness – $758 

 

 

2009-10-01

 

 

tial y storation Work  

 

 

 

2010-06-24

 

 

tall Carpet Set – tall Seat r Set & Padding

Door Panels covered – New Black nyl Around ar of Cabin

tall Top & Headliner & Pad Kit – Finish Interior 

 

 

hout to storation ceipts ( iled ceipts) 

 

2012-11-19 ( hout) 

 

tall Dual Circuit ter Cylinder 

ar Wheel Cylinders for kes

place Crossover ke Lines

Blast & 4 ke Drums & Check 

ar Axle Seal Kits & Axle ing Shims 

Axle Seals 

build Kit

r ckets and p Sinks 

WR 17.5mm rt bar Kit 

Bump Stops 

R&R Steering x – Steering x seal Kit

R&R Axle & Spindles, Setup & Align

tall New ar Torsion r Bushings & Set Ride Height

move ne for Testing

 

 

2013-01-02 ( hout) 

 

ts Pics #D102 D103 D104

 Heads built

R&R Pistons – Check Cylinder & d ings, Check Cam Wear

RR Pressure lief Pistons 

Set Deck Height 

tall Head & er semblies

Flywheel surfaced & lanced/Pressure sembly

Fuel Pump Core build

NOS ke & Exhaust ves

Zenith Carbs built 

minum Oil er 

HD Nut

12V Blue Coil

12V Gel ttery

rly Fuel Pump Core – build Kit

12V Generator 

12V NOS ltage gulator

Heavy Duty 12V ter

ne Cases Cleaned

& nt ne Sheetmetal

moved Oil er, Distributor, Sump  

Clean Fuel w/ Phosphoric Acid, Clean & nt w. Epoxy Primer 

Tach Cable & Speedo Cable (New)

Blast & nt Exhaust System 

& nt ne Sheetmetal 

tall New ke Shoes – Check Alignment

 

 

ts: $4071 r: $13907 l: $18355  (be over $30K today) 

 

2013-05-07

 

Final Testing of Mechanicals after sembly

Prep Windshield & Other ts for delivery to Chrome Shop.

Continue sembly of y, move rs & nt ckets, 

sh , place Rubber, Deco Seals.

Pick up Chrome, semble Door ndles, semble Windshield

e ts and Glass and Fit to Car. tall sorted ts 

 

Sublet: 

Lock pair vice – Chrome Plating Windshield/Door ndles

Door Tops, ror d/ ndle/Seat

tos International place Entire Dash 

 

ts:  (see detailed list picture W03A)

 

 

2013-06-20

 

R&R smission to seal

ke Cylinders placed / ar s & Bleed System 

Prep & nt New Axle Tubes

 

ar Axle ings & Seals 

place Axle Tubes ARP Gear ts

s ket Set 

 

 

 

 

 

2013-06-28 ( hout) 

 

R&R ne, Complete Disassemble, Check Case, sh Crank

Upgrade Lifters, New ings, place rly ds w/ Late ds, 

assemble Run & Test.  tall s 

 

Set of OEM rly Main ings, STD 

Set of Connecting ds, built and lanced

WR58 New Camshaft

OEM Mag Camshaft Gear (used)

ket Set HD 

Set of Late Lifters, built

Pushrods Late (used) 

Set of Lap s (vintage look) 

 

 

2013-12-12  ( hout) 

 

Diagnose Fuel vation. Std Pump only .75 PSI 

Worn Dist Drive Gear – tall Electric Fuel Pump 

Clean Idle & Accel Pump Jets 

be ke Pedal Bushings 

Electric Fuel Pump (new) 

built OEM Distributor BR18 

 

 

 

 

 

Up – Adjust ves – Adjust Clutch Pedal Freeplay

place Coil – Adjust Carbs – Accel Pump – Distributor Cap 

nser & or 

 

 

move ne & smission – Disassemble smission

pect & Clean – Synchro s – Mainshaft Seal 

ar ket Set – ting Sleeve – Dog  

 

 

2019-02-27  

  build & semble smission 

stall ne & smission

ke Flush – Adjust Shoes & Wheel ings

Align End 

tall Top Seal