This 1959 Porsche 356A is one of 1,330 Convertible D models built during a single-year production run and was distributed new in the US by Hoffman Motor Car Co. of New York. A restoration was carried out between 1989 and 1990 and included a repaint, re-plating the chrome trim, undercoating the chassis, reupholstering the interior, and replacing the transaxle case and convertible top. The car subsequently received another repaint in its factory Meissen Blue during previous ownership in 2009. Equipment includes Speedster-style seats, a rear luggage rack, headlight stone guards, and a Blaupunkt AM/FM radio. The numbers-matching 1.6L flat-four was rebuilt in 2012, and the selling dealer performed an oil change in preparation for the sale. This Convertible D is now offered as part of Mohr Imports’ Monterey Car Week Collection. The sale includes a tool kit, jack, Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, copy of the Kardex, custom luggage, spare seats, factory literature, and a clean California title.
The Convertible D was introduced to replace the Speedster and included amenities that the outgoing model lacked, such as roll-up side windows and standard windshield washers. Coachwork for all 1,330 cars was provided by Karosseriewerke Drauz of Heilbronn, Germany, and this example was repainted in its factory shade of Meissen Blue (5703) in 2009. Close-up photos of the body and trim can be viewed in the gallery.
Ventilated 15″ steel wheels feature polished hubcaps and wear 165/80 Classic All-Season Radial tires. The soft top on a Convertible D differs from a Speedster top in order to accommodate a taller windscreen and glass side windows. It also incorporates a larger rear window and rain gutters. A full tonneau cover is included in the sale.
The interior was reupholstered during previous ownership and features tan carpets, a body-color dash fascia, and tan Speedster-style seats with light blue tartan cloth inserts. Amenities include door pockets and a Blaupunkt AM/FM radio. A pair of factory-style front seats are included in the sale and can be viewed in the gallery.
The two-spoke steering wheel frames green VDO instrumentation, including a 6k-rpm tachometer, 120-mph speedometer, and combination gauge for oil temperature and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows 33k miles, fewer than 1k of which were added by the selling dealer.
The 1.6-liter Type 616/1 flat-four was rebuilt in 2012 by Fred Busche at Specialists in Santa Monica, California, after a failure occurred en route to a vintage rally in Arizona.
Case stamping *73931* can be seen above and matches the engine number shown on the Porsche CoA.
The four-speed manual transaxle was fitted with a new case in 1989 and is pictured above. The car is equipped with torsion bars front and rear, along with finned drum brakes at all four corners.
A set of custom luggage, matched to the car’s interior, is included in the sale. The large case mounts on a body-color luggage rack, which is attached to the rear decklid grille and is shown up close in the gallery.
The Porsche Certificate of Authenticity lists the production completion date, along with the original colors and powertrain numbers. A copy of the Kardex is included in the sale and can be viewed in the gallery. A walk-around video is provided below.
Comments
Post a Comment