Engine No. 832147
Transmission No. 59818
For much of its early history, Porsche was a four-cylinder company. The cars that established the marque's reputation around the world were defined by a careful balance of lightweight construction, engineering precision, and remarkable efficiency. At the center of that philosophy stood the Porsche 356, the sports car that transformed a small postwar manufacturer into an international success and laid the foundation for everything that followed.
By the early 1960s, after more than a decade of continuous development on road and racetrack alike, the 356 had evolved into a refined form shedding its Volkswagen-based origins. Introduced for 1960, the 356 B benefited from a host of improvements to its chassis, braking system, transmission, and body, while retaining the engaging character that had endeared the model to enthusiasts from the beginning. Among the most desirable examples was the Super Cabriolet, combining open-air motoring with Porsche's spirited 75-horsepower four-cylinder engine and the model line's highest levels of comfort and finish.
According to a copy of its original Kardex warranty card, this 1963 356 B 1600 Super Cabriolet completed production in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen finished in attractive and rare Heron Grey with a Black soft top over a matching Black leather interior. Sold through Porsche Glöckler of Frankfurt, Germany, its original owner, Hans Gehrken, was at the time based in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, an interesting international location for the Cabriolet's first owner. Furthermore, while the car is currently fitted with a 90-horsepower type 616/36 flat-four from a 1966 Porsche 912, the original engine serial number records its original 75-horsepower Super specification.
The Cabriolet's history file that stretches as far back as 1989 by which point it was residing in Los Angeles, California, with Paul Hillyer. Its U.K. paperwork shows that the left-hand-drive 356 was then brought to England by Hillyer and first registered in England on 10 November 1992. Later, in 1994, the car acquired the car was acquired by the consignor who was quite the involved owner. In the mid-1990s, they embarked on a series of restorative measures that included a rebuilt engine, along with a new clutch, flywheel, fuel tank, and front brake drums, among other items. Most recently, a full interior refurbishment in its correct and original colors and materials was conducted by WA Ramsay along with a new convertible top and retrim in 2013.
Long admired for their blend of touring comfort and classic Porsche dynamics, this 1600 Super Cabriolet remains an attractive example in its original color combination and an excellent candidate for further enhancements, Porsche Club Great Britain (PCGB) shows, and driving tours thanks to its uprated 90-horsepower type 616/36 air-cooled flat-four.
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- Transmission
- Exterior Colour
- Number of doors
- Interior Colour
- VIN Code157571
