The successor to the single-year Convertible D model and an evolution of the original 356A Speedster, the Porsche 356B Roadster was produced from 1960 to 1962 as a sporty open-top model featuring a removable windshield. There were 2,902 Roadsters built during a three-year production run, and this final-year 1962 example is among only 249 that featured the later T6 “twin-grille” coachwork by D’Ieteren Frères. It came factory-finished in Heron Grey over Red leatherette upholstery and equipped with a 1,600cc flat-four engine paired with a 4-speed manual gearbox. Originally owned by a young resident of Darmstadt, Germany, it was later sold to a U.S. servicemember stationed in Germany, who returned to the U.S. with the car in 1969. This Roadster was eventually purchased by the seller in 2003 and has since benefitted from rebuilds of the original engine and transaxle. Beginning in 2018, the car was completely disassembled and stripped in preparation for new paint and full restoration. Accompanied by a numbers-matching drivetrain and a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, this partially restored 356B Roadster project is now being offered for auction out of Maine.
Factory-finished in Heron Grey (6207), the car was repainted black under prior ownership and has since been disassembled, stripped, and primed in preparation for new paintwork. The seller notes some damage to the body was repaired with new sheet metal and there has been no filler used throughout the exterior. Most of the external trim was replaced over the years, the windshield wiper pivots have been rebuilt, and new front indicator lights, taillights, and rear reflectors are included along with some new rubber body seals. The 15” steel wheels have been properly date-stamped, chrome-plated, and widened to 5.5”. Older tires are mounted to the wheels which have been fitted with Stoddard reproduction Super 90 hubcaps. The seller adds that the door panels, trunk, and engine cover have been bolted on for transportation purposes and are not yet properly aligned.
The cabin has been completely stripped, and the red leatherette seats are included in the sale along with the matching door panels, dashboard, a three-spoke steering wheel, pedals, rubber mats, and trim pieces. The front lap belts were replaced in 2004 and the combination gauge has been rebuilt by Palo Alto Speedometer. The seller indicates all interior parts are included to complete the restoration.
The original air-cooled 1,600cc flat-four engine is said to have been rebuilt in 2004, and the numbers matching 4-speed manual transaxle was rebuilt in 2023. New Bilstein shocks were equipped, the rear drum brakes were rebuilt with new Stoddard parts, and a brand-new German-made wiring harness is included in the sale. The seller adds that service records are available dating back to 1990 and all routine maintenance was performed under their ownership before the car was disassembled.
This sale will include the original engine and transmission, brake and suspension components, interior and exterior parts, owner’s manuals, a spare tire, service records, a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, and a clean title.
The seller would like you to know: “I am very reluctantly putting my 1962 Twin Grille Roadster up for sale. I have owned the car since December 18, 2003. I have owned many 356's starting in 1967 and this was the model I always wanted. The car sustained some minor front-end damage when parked in 2018. I decided it was time for a total restoration and started the process with a respected Porsche body man. It did not go as planned and now I find myself at the age of 78 not being able to finish the project. The metal work is done, and it needs final bodywork, paint, and assembly. The car is complete, and nothing is missing.”
Comments (72)
@twin-grill-roadster I'm ecstatic! I cant wait to meet you and pick it up.
Sold for $140,000
The last sale of a Twin Grille was $324,000 (Aug 24).
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The reserve has been lifted and the car will sell.
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@twin-grille-roadster Do you have the external coachwork by D’Ieteren Frères badge?
I didn't see it in your pictures.
@twin-grille-roadster It will be spectacular in Heron Grey !
@loosecats The original color, Heron Grey.
Bid in the amount of $86,500
Bid in the amount of $86,000
Curious, what were your plans for paint color if you did finish the restoration?
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Some, if not all, Belgian roadsters had much more seam sealer than one would find on a Porsche built car. And difficult to remove comparatively.
Bid in the amount of $73,356
I agree that the seam sealer appears to have been very liberally applied almost everywhere. In some places its quite thick and its quantity is disconcerting. Not sure what to make of it .
The hardware was not bagged and tagged. My thinking was that most of it was going to be either replated or replaced in which case no plater is going to plate say four bolts at a time and put them back into a bag. They will plate them in batches. A parts manual will tell you the dimensions of every bolt, nut, screw, and washer on the car.
Bid in the amount of $64,356
All of the individual component pictures are great and very helpful. Just a question, is it safe to say that you bagged and tagged all of the hardware as well when you disassembled the vehicle?
If you look closely, you'll see that the convertible top frame, soft top, and boot cover are included and pictured. There were no rust repairs done, just poor old body work corrections. There are over 240 pictures.
@Spike038 I wasn't able to upload some photos.
Sorry
Very interesting project, lot of potential. No mention of top parts? rust repairs?
Bid in the amount of $63,356
All rust and old body work was repaired then primed and seam sealed. The priming and seam sealing were done over two years ago.
Photos look like fresh seam sealer has been applied to virtually all panel seams on the bottom of the car. Have rust repair panels been installed and then seam sealed, or were these areas just cleaned, repainted and then seam sealed now waiting for fresh undercoating?
Bid in the amount of $62,356
I would like to address the accident that occurred in 2018. The car was parked and a gentleman in a pickup truck parked in front of the car. When he went to pull out of his parking spot he backed into the Roadster and dented the nose below the hood with his trailer hitch. The nut on the bottom of his trailer hitch caught the front bumper and when he went to pull forward he pulled the bumper ends into the front fenders. The damage was a bent bumper, a dent below the hood, and a dent in each fender where the bumper contacted them. I have posted pictures of the damage. Thank you.
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Bid in the amount of $55,000
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I would love to win this project and finish what you started. It would look great next to my 993 C2S split grille.
Yes, the body cart is included in the sale. Thank you for your bid.
Depends on your mechanical ability or your ability to write checks. But it will be spectacular when it's completed.
Is the body cart included in the auction for transport? Sorry if I missed this somewhere in the description.
Bid in the amount of $45,000
This looks so cool. I have never owned a 356 nor have I done a restoration. Should I be afraid or very afraid?
Thank you for your kind words.
I met this seller & saw this car prior to the very minor front end damage and it was spectacular. I then purchased my '78 911SC from him, very knowledgeable, experienced all Porsche guy. Bid with confidence.
GLWTA, Joe in Hudson (Fl.)
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What an awesome project this will be for the lucky new owner!
GLWTA!!!!
Bid in the amount of $15,000
What a wonderful opportunity. If I wasn't already in the middle of a 1973 911T restoration project, I would love this car. I have always loved the D roadster and the 356B roadster with the chrome windshield frame. GLWTA
Bid in the amount of $3,560