Equipment
1582/60hp, dual Solex carbs, hubcaps, Kumho tires, gold brightwork, transistor radio, dual wing mirrors, GE driving lights, 356A coupe seats added in period.
Condition
#3 Good
Runs and drives well. Flaws not noticeable to passersby. Most common condition.
Sound 1970s repaint with several large bare chips on the front bumper and nose. Several more around the front edge of the hood with light surface rust poking through. Big scrape on the left front fender. Several more chips around the body, around the engine cover and a huge one in the center of the tail. Plating is flaking off the rear bumperettes. Very good newer top on sound original top frame. Significantly worn original interior with small rips and some discoloration in the seats. A few light spots of surface rust underneath but nothing serious. There aren't too many original 356 Speedsters out there anymore and this one is borderline enjoyable as-is, although nobody would blame the new owner for restoring it. While almost completely original, it has been mechanically sorted and maintained in a private Porsche collection since 2010, so someone has already endured the headaches that follow rolling an automotive artifact out of the barn.
Market commentary
This car offered all the preservation of a barn find but none of the hassle of cleaning layers of dust and animal droppings or the months of major mechanical work. The combination resonated with bidders and the car brought a huge price, above even what a freshly restored car could expect to bring.