1957 Porsche 356A 1600S Coupe w/ 59-Years Ownership
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1957
- Make: Porsche
- Model: 356A
- VIN: 101623
- Mileage Shown: 65,680mi (5-digit odometer)
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Ivory
- Seller: ClassicCarsLtd
- Seller Type: Dealer (Consignment)
- Location: Pleasanton, CA 94566
- Dealer Fees: None
- Lot #: V-0016929
Finished in Ivory over red vinyl, this 1957 Porsche 356A 1600S coupe was originally sold from International Sports Cars Ltd. of Sacramento, California, and later purchased by the current owner on April 3rd, 1963. Records show extensive repairs and refurbishment efforts over the course of the past 50 years including the installation of an updated Porsche 912 engine in 1975 and a comprehensive rebuild of that same engine just over 40k miles ago. Accompanied by a collection of original parts including the original numbers matching engine, this 356A Coupe is now being offered for auction on behalf of its longtime owner out of California.
The Reutter bodywork is said to have been refinished once before during the 1980s in its factory specified color of Ivory (5704). Aftermarket chrome nerf bars were installed during the 1970s and the original bumpers are said to accompany the sale as well. The 15” chrome-finished steel wheels come fitted with polished moon hubcaps and older Dunlop SP Sport Super Radial Formula 70 tires. The seller notes evidence of various dent repairs throughout the body as well as several paint touch-ups and other cosmetic imperfections. The car's owner states that no panels were replaced since their purchase in 1963.
The red vinyl interior has been customized with a Racemark 3-spoke steering wheel, Porsche emblem shift knob, and period race plaques mounted on the glovebox door. The upper dashboard and rear panel have been replaced with black vinyl to reduce glare while driving, and the original red vinyl panel is said to accompany the sale as well. The original Blaupunkt AM/FM/SW in-dash radio is present and functional along with the front kick-panel speakers. Patina is visible throughout the cabin and the seller notes the driver-side speaker cover is torn, as is the black rubber floor cover. The five-digit odometer shows approximately 65k miles, while the owner's log reports the car to have traveled a total of 265,722 miles in its lifetime. The total mileage remains unknown.
In January of 1975, this 356A was equipped with a replacement 1,600cc flat-four engine sourced from a 1968 Porsche 912 (#1280620). Records also show the installation of a newer replacement 4-speed manual gearbox in March 1966. The car’s original 1600S flat-four engine (#81170) is included with the sale and is said to have been rebuilt and modified in 1969 with aluminum cylinders, 912 connecting rods, 1,700 pistons/cylinders, new Solex 40PII-4 carbs/intake manifolds, 912 springs, and an aftermarket camshaft. The currently installed Porsche 912 engine has just over 40k miles, corresponding invoices are included in the car’s records.
This sale will include the original motor, bumpers, steering wheel, various factory components, period photographs, a copy of the Kardex, and a clean California original “pink slip” title. Driven and maintained by its custodian of nearly 60 years, this 356A is ready to begin its journey with a new owner.
Auction Results
- Sold for: $111,000
- Auction End: May 04, 2022 07:22:15PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 43
Comments (68)
Thanks to the ballers for letting the rest of us play, before coming in and crushing our dreams. LOL
Like Dolly Parton said." It costs a lot of money to look this cheap!" Nice patina.
Sold for $111,000
Thanks again to the commenters, PCarMarket and especially the bidders.
thank you all
Bid in the amount of $111,000
Bid in the amount of $110,000
Bid in the amount of $105,500
@jay993 Not yet!
Bid in the amount of $105,000
Bid in the amount of $101,500
SOLD!
Bid in the amount of $101,000
Bid in the amount of $91,500
Bid in the amount of $91,000
Bid in the amount of $90,000
Bid in the amount of $87,500
Bid in the amount of $87,000
Bid in the amount of $86,000
Bid in the amount of $85,000
Bid in the amount of $84,000
Bid in the amount of $83,000
Bid in the amount of $82,000
Bid in the amount of $81,000
Bid in the amount of $80,000
Bid in the amount of $77,912
Bid in the amount of $73,000
Bid in the amount of $72,000
Bid in the amount of $62,911
Bid in the amount of $59,911
Bid in the amount of $58,000
Bid in the amount of $56,500
Additional photos added; original steering wheel and a few of the many pieces of literature including two from the legendary Harry Pellow (Secrets Of The Inner Circle and The ABC's (and 912's) Of Porsche Engines).
@Sjossan The original jack is included but not the original toolkit.
Does an original tool roll accompany the car?Thank you
Bid in the amount of $56,000
Bid in the amount of $55,606
Bid in the amount of $55,356
Bid in the amount of $46,000
Bid in the amount of $45,000
@1ducracer Thanks for the question. There is no matching spare rim/tire.
does the car come with a spare tire? (rim with tire mounted)
thanks for the OE rim picks
thanks
Bid in the amount of $44,000
Bid in the amount of $43,000
@Maui928 Photos have been posted of original wheels (277-283).
@Maui928 The owner upgraded to 15x5.5. I just picked up the remaining 3 original 15x4.5 from the owners house. Will send photos to PCM to post tonight. They have 5/57 date stamps. Evidently two were bent beyond repair which prompted the upgrade to the larger size.
@ClassicCarsLtd Thanks again! Just a clarification on the “larger wheels” you mentioned; are the wheels not the original factory 15” x 4.5” steelies? Can you provide pictures of the date code and size stampings on the wheels?
@Maui928 @Maui928 Sorry for the delay, I wanted to speak with the owner for a few clarifying points. The 356 is currently registered and has been throughout, 2007 was the last time they put a reg sticker on the car. You are correct that it has been used very little over the past 20 years. Photo 254 shows a date/mileage log of 5/25/1999 @65,457mi and the odometer currently shows 65,725. When we received the car we went through customary process for starting an engine that had not been running for some time to make sure the engine turned freely etc. Oil/plugs/wires were changed, carbs were removed, cleaned, adjusted/balanced and had the brakes serviced (not replaced) as they were hanging up from sitting.
I combed through the owners logs again and the 912 engine was installed in January of 1975 at 24,775 miles, so the 40k was the actual build and install of the 912 engine into the 356. There are receipts for the parts and work. The owner said there was no failure to the original engine, it was just down on power and in his words, "didn't have the poop it once had". Based on that, rebuilding shouldn't be an issue. So he pulled it and put in place the 912 engine from the 1968 car. He was thinking "outlaw" build long term hence the nerf bars, steering wheel, larger wheels etc.
Also, do you have the receipt for the engine rebuild from 40k miles ago; what year was that done and who did the work? What was the reason for the engine being replaced in 1975; i.e. what was broken on the original engine and is it salvageable to be rebuilt?
@ClassicCarsLtd Thanks for the responses! Can you please confirm how the vehicle was stored/used for the past 15 years? The license plate has a 2007 date on it so I am assuming that it hasn’t been on the road since then?
Bid in the amount of $42,000
Bid in the amount of $40,000
@Maui928 The plaques on the glovebox will be included. Thanks.
@Maui928 Good catch Maui928, thanks for pointing out. There were a few mixed in the box.
please remove picture 251 from the gallery.
The receipts on pic 251 do not belong to this vehicle so should be removed. It has 1968 VW and a different plate number in the details. Also, do the plaques on the glovebox come with the vehicle?
Bid in the amount of $38,000
Bid in the amount of $35,600
Bid in the amount of $35,000
Bid in the amount of $25,250
Bid in the amount of $25,000
Bid in the amount of $15,000
Bid in the amount of $6,168
Wonderful patina. A lot of options for the next owner depending upon taste and budget.
@Somer Good question. No musty smell at all, just old Porsche smell. I left everything in the car as I found it. Also stashed in the front driver door pocket was a small box of vintage matches from the Del Monte Hyatt House in Monterey and a cheat sheet with a mix ratio of unleaded premium to leaded fuel (75:25 ULP to Leaded).
Are those air fresheners underneath the passenger's dash side. Any "musty smell after sitting so long ?
Bid in the amount of $5,918
Bid in the amount of $3,560
Thanks for viewing the 356A auction. This 356 has been owned by a gentleman who used this car as a daily driver from 1963 to roughly 1974 and is a true California car. Every oil change, valve adjustment, tire replacement... any maintenance the owner did with the car is documented in hand written logs. Receipts for the 912 engine build and other service items over the owners nearly 60 year ownership are included along with numerous parts and a Porsche 356 Service Manual are included.
As noted in the write-up the current engine, from a 1969 912, was installed in 1975 and the transmission was replaced with a donor from a 1959 356 in 1966. The original engine, which matches the Kardex, is included in the sale.
I will be available to respond to questions throughout the auction. Classic Cars Ltd. is located in Pleasanton, CA and we welcome in person, virtual and pre-purchase inspections by appointment, prior to the last day of the auction. Please allow 24 hours notice for a PPI.
A request to add drive, cold-start and walk around videos has been made to @pcarmarket and should be posted soon.
Enjoy the auction and good luck to the bidders!