So you
want an original Speedster?
based on a newsletter article
by Martin Sergison
Some general
background information.
The Porsche 356A, in both T1
and T2 forms, was available from 1955 to 1959 in four basic body
styles: Coupe, Cabriolet, Speedster and Convertible D. In addition
to the pushrod engined cars there was also a four cam Carrera
range.
The T1 ran from October 1955
to March 1957 when it was superseded by the T2 - the major visual
change for the later body style being the adoption of teardrop
rear lamps. Prior to March 1957, engine availability ranged from
the 44 bhp 1300 to the 75 bhp 1600 'Super' - owners tended to
update their cars by replacing original engines with higher performance
ones as they became available. T2s had only two available pushrod
engines, the 60 bhp 'Damen' (a name adopted to convey its genteel
driving manner) and the 75 bhp Super'. These were the start of
the '616' series of engines, powering all 356s to the end of
the production run and the 912 (a 911 body with 356 power).
Rarely available
in RHD
The Speedster is rarely available
in right hand drive form. In fact only three were imported by
AFN (and still exist) so, if you want an original Speedster in
RHD, the only sources are such markets as Australia and South
Africa. The Convertible D (D indicating body manufacturer Drauz)
is really an 'upmarket' Speedster with standard 356 seats, wind
up windows and a taller windscreen somewhat reminiscent of that
fitted to the Jaguar XK150. The 356 valuation expert of Porsche
Club GB is unaware of any original RHD Convertible Ds - an indication
of its rarity!
Price indications
from Porsche Club GB
If you are contemplating the
purchase of a genuine Speedster, here are some guide prices,
as supplied by Porsche Club GB and these really apply to leaft
hand drive cars. But beware, in common with other 356s, the Speedster
suffered from tin worm and restoration can be a very costly business,
not to be embarked upon lightly. Before getting too involved
we suggest you contact restoration specialist Roger Bray of Milestone
Services, London Road, Whimple, Exeter EX5 2QP telephone 01404
822005 fax 01404 822007.
A Speedster requiring
complete restoration, including major components and body panels,
possibly with incorrect or missing engine, gearbox, trim, etc
and in thoroughly poor condition might bve available from around
£15,000.
A complete car
with documentation, requiring restoration but usable with some
remedial work needed prior to complete restoration would fetch
about £20,000.
A Speedster requiring
some work, bodily, mechanically or both - possibly running with
incorrect engine: around £25,000
A car in good
overall condition and not requiring a major injection of funds,
preferably having matching numbers: £30,000 plus - if you're
lucky!
A really nice
Speedster with concours potential, matching numbers and documented
history would certainly cost in excess of £45,000.
As rare as
hen's teeth!
The problem will always be finding
one, as less than 5,000 were made and most were shipped off to
the sunshine states in the USA. At the peak of the classic car
boom excellent Speedsters tended to be in the £60,000 -
£70,000 valuation region, and although prices slipped a
few years ago, they have now regained the mid £60,000 area.
A left hand drive Convertible D would command a similar price
to a Speedster in most categories, although maybe a little cheaper
as a concours car.
