1961 | Porsche 356 B 1600 Super

One of the all-time great sportscars, the 356 was the work of Ferry Porsche, who had been inspired by the FIAT-based Castalia of Piero Dusio. Ferry's 356 was based on the Volkswagen designed by his father and like the immortal 'Beetle', employed a platform-type chassis with rear-mounted air-cooled engine and all-independent torsion bar suspension. Introduced in 1948, the 356 model is acknowledged as Porsche's first production car and was a lightweight and nimble handling, rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-door sportscar available in hardtop, coupe, and open configurations. Design innovations continued during the years of manufacture, and it set a new standard for small sportscars, proving adaptable to all forms of motorsport including circuit racing and rallying.

In the 1960 model year, the 356A was replaced by the completely redesigned 356B (T5) which featured a one-piece windscreen and 15" wheels and represented significant advances in driveability and comfort over earlier 356 models. The engine, now standardised at 1,600cc, was available in three different stages of tune. The 356B underwent a continual change during its short run from 1959 to 1963, including the introduction of the Karmann-built hardtop as a 1961 model. First seen at the Frankfurt Show in September 1961, the 1962 model year 356B received its final major upgrade to T6 specification. The coupe featured larger front and rear windows, an engine cover with two grilles, a larger bonnet, a fuel filler in the right hand front wing (left hand cars only), and various minor mechanical upgrades. A Karmann-built coupe replaced the hardtop and was joined by a coupe built by Reutter.

This 356B Coupe was completed in the Porsche factory on 5th May 1961, a 1600S Reutter coupe finished in silver metallic (code 6006) with blue faux leather trim and optioned with Conti tyres at the time. Supplied new to its first owner, we believe, in Europe, it was registered in the UK around 1971 but then spent time in the US where documentation shows it received a mechanical refresh in 1999 in South Carolina before a cosmetic repaint and retrim between 2004/2005. The car returned to the UK in the summer of 2014 and was purchased by our vendor, he used the 356 for this wedding day and enjoyed many trips thereafter. This year the car has had a full engine rebuild with Dunlop Garage and subsequently in October of this year it had the crabs tuned. The vendor informs us that it now runs beautifully but did want to highlight with only a few hundred miles covered since the rebuild it would be still considered in its 'running in stage'. Supplied with invoices for mechanical work, body work, interior trim and full engine rebuild details, numerous MoT test certificates and a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, this is a wonderful example of the early Porsche, achingly cool and with the benefit of a recent full engine rebuild. Consigned by Mathew Priddy

Lot details
Year: 1961
Make: Porsche
Model: 356B 1600S
Registration: 623 UYF
Chassis No: 115998
Odometer: 30,464


* Reutter built 1600s

* Subject to recent full engine rebuild