1957 Porsche 356 Speedster

This 1957 Porsche 356A Speedster 1600 was distributed new via the Hoffman Motor Company of New York and was subsequently moved to California, where it was refurbished under previous ownership. Modifications performed in 2020 by Willhoit Auto Restoration of Long Beach, California, included the installation of a replacement 2.2-liter flat-four, twin Weber 44 IDF carburetors, a WEVO five-speed manual transmission, a 12-volt electrical system, a stainless steel exhaust system, Koni shocks, 356C-style disc brakes, 15″ HRBB Rudge-style wheels, and a VDM steering wheel. The car is finished in black over red upholstery, and additional features include a black soft top and side curtains, chrome bumper overriders, and bucket seats. This Speedster was purchased by the selling dealer in 2023 and is now offered as part of the Gruppe P Part III collection with its removed engine and four-speed manual transaxle, a set of five steel wheels with 8/57 date stamps, four chrome hubcaps, a spare steering wheel, a tool kit, refurbishment photos and records, a copy of the Kardex, and a clean Massachusetts title. Delivered from the factory in black (083), the Reutter-built body underwent a color change to Meissen Blue before it was repainted in its original color prior to 2013. Features include teardrop LED taillights, body-color bumpers with chrome overriders, dual exhaust outlets, a single-grille engine lid, a single side-view mirror, a Reutter badge riveted to the right fender, H4 headlights, and gold emblems. The black soft top and matching side curtains can be seen in the gallery along with body number stampings on the hood hinge. Black 15″ Hot Rods By Boyd Rudge-style wheels were installed in April 2020 along with a set of 185/70 Pirelli Cinturato CN36 tires. A steel spare wheel is stowed in the trunk, and a set of five steel wheels showing 8/57 date stamps is included in the sale. Koni shocks are fitted at all four corners, and stopping power is provided by 356C-style four-wheel disc brakes with a dual-circuit master cylinder as well as slotted and ventilated rotors at all four corners. The cabin features fixed-back bucket seats trimmed in red upholstery with a color-coordinated dash pad, rear cushions, and door panels. Salt-and-pepper square-weave carpeting lines the seatbacks, footwells, and sills, while black rubber mats cover the floors. Additional equipment includes a passenger-side grab handle, gold dashboard badging, and lap belts. The wood-rimmed VDM steering wheel features a Porsche crest horn button and frames VDO green-letter instrumentation including a central 7k-rpm tachometer, a 120-mph speedometer, and a combination gauge. The five-digit odometer shows less than 77k miles, approximately 200 of which were added by the selling dealer. A removed beige two-spoke steering wheel is included in the sale and can be seen in the gallery. The replacement 2.2-liter Willhoit WR flat-four was installed in April 2020 and features twin Weber 44 IDF carburetors, Knecht air cleaners, and a five-row aluminum oil cooler. A 12-volt electrical system was also fitted at that time. Engine stamping 1284971 can be seen in the gallery, and it corresponds to a Type 616/39 engine built for a 1968 Porsche 912. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a WEVO five-speed manual transaxle that was installed in 2020. A Willhoit stainless steel exhaust system was also added at that time. A copy of the Kardex lists initial delivery information as well as the factory color, powertrain serial numbers, and optional equipment. The removed Type 616/1 1600cc flat-four is included in the sale, and its engine stamping, 66320, matches the Kardex above. The included four-speed manual transaxle with case stamping 15446 can also be seen in the gallery. Filed under: 356