This article is originally from supercars.net.
1958 Porsche 356A Cabriolet: An Automotive Icon
1958 Porsche 356A Cabriolet is one of the most iconic Porsche’s of all times. Now, you have a chance to own one if you want it bad enough. The 356A Cabriolet you see here is currently for sale at Bring A Trailer.
The car is a 1958 model year 356A Cabriolet. It still retains the original black exterior over light brown leatherette interior, though it has undergone a refurbishment from 2006 to 2011.
There’s also a black soft top, chrome luggage rack, greet-letter VDO instrumentation, and a Blaupunkt AM/FM radio. The car was delivered to its first owner at a U.S. Army base in Babenhausen, Germany. From there it went to the Southwest U.S. and then was taken off the road in 1980. It spent time in storage before being refurbished. At this time it shows 83,000 miles.
1958 Porsche 356A: Background
From the earliest, 1,100 cc Gmünd beginnings, the overall shape of the 356 remained more or less set. In 1951, 1,300 and 1,500 cc engines with considerably more power were introduced. Later, in 1952 the split windscreen was replaced by a slightly V-shaped, single windshield, which fit into the same shape opening. Also, in 1953 the 1300 S or “Super” was introduced, and the 1,100 cc engine was dropped.
In late-1954 Max Hoffman, the sole US importer of Porsches, convinced Porsche to build a stripped down roadster version with minimal equipment and a cut-down windscreen.
Apparently, towards the end of the original 356’s time (in 1955, when the 356 A was about to be introduced) Hoffman, wanting a model name rather than just a number, got the factory to use the name “Continental” which was applied mostly to cars sold in the United States. Ford, makers of the Lincoln Continental, sued. Also, this name was used only in 1955 and today this version is especially valued. For 1956, the equivalent version was briefly sold as the “European”. Evidently, today all of the earliest Porsches are highly coveted by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide, based on their design, reliability and sporting performance.
For Sale
The car is for sale on dealer consignment with a factory hardtop, tool kit, owner’s manual, records dating back to the 1960s, a copy of its Kardex, and a clean Oregon title. At this time, bidding is up to $111,111 and there’s only a single day left on the auction listing.
The post FOR SALE: 1958 Porsche 356A Cabriolet appeared first on Supercars.net.
Thanks to the author in sportscars.net for this interesting article.