Retro-flavoured tartan seat inserts will be the chef’s favorite.
Although the Volkswagen Beetle-derived 1939 Typ 64 is often regarded as the first Porsche, the 356 was what put Zuffenhausen on the map. Between 1948 and 1965, the first production car of the legendary German brand was built in multiple open and hardtop configurations. This Speedster was also made back in 1955.
Porsche Santa Clarita, a California-based Porsche Restoration Challenger 2021, cleaned up the open-top 356. It was purchased from the second owner, who had modified the car for racing over half a century. Reutter Karosserie coachwork has given the Speedster shaved rocker moldings, rear reflectors and elegant louvered decklids.
The 356 Speedster is dressed in a blue-green six-layer paint and rides on gold-painted magnesium Halibrand knockoff wheels measuring 15 inches at its front and 16 inches at its rear. Galpin oversaw the restoration and the car now has a 1600SC flat-four, air-cooled pushrod engine that produces 95 horsepower. The engine’s output is sent to the rear wheels through a 519 transaxle.
Both the exhaust and brakes come from Porsche and both suspensions at both axles are Porsche. The OEM bucket seats are covered in red leather and tartan inserts. The trim has been updated to match the beautiful body color. To keep the vintage look, the dials have been transferred and more tartan can be found on the door storage pockets.
The changes continue with chromed engine components, manifolds and manifolds that complement the shine on the outside.