1959 Porsche 356A 1600 Super 'Sunroof' Coupe

Vin No. 102085

Engine No. P609635

Coveted by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide early Porsches are reliable and sporting performance cars. Born in 1875, Ferdinand Porsche was an engineer of the highest order with a distinguished career as a designer of many types of motor vehicles including the famous Volkswagen, in 1934. The Porsche 356 was created by the son Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche.

In describing his thinking behind the development of the car, Porsche said, “By the end of the war I had a Volkswagen Cabriolet with a supercharged engine and that was the basic idea. I saw that if you had enough power in a small car it is nicer to drive than if you have a big car which is also overpowered. And it is more fun. On this basic idea we started the first Porsche prototype."

The first mid-engine prototype 356 later progressed to a rear-mounted configuration. The air-cooled, pushrod, OHV flat-four Volkswagen Beetle engine was revitalised by Porsche designers for the 356 with new cylinder heads, camshaft, crankshaft, intake and exhaust manifolds and dual carburettors. Produced until 1959, the second-generation Porsche 356A boasted more horsepower, better suspension and a new four-speed gearbox. Its internal factory designation Type 1 gave rise to its nickname T1 among enthusiasts. In early 1957 a second revision of the 356A was produced, known as Type 2 or T2. A four-cam Carrera engine available in late 1955 came as an option first available with the 356A.

Unlike the annual superficial styling changes of today, the integrity of the 356 remained throughout its lifespan. Nevertheless, a range of revolutionary coupé and convertible models was produced from 1948 through 1965. Of the 76,000 originally produced, approximately half survive.

In 1951, while on a business trip investigating water pumping technology for the Snowy Mountain scheme, Australian born Norman Hamilton had an extra-ordinarily serendipitous meeting en route from Austria to Switzerland, with Richard Von Frankenberg, German journalist and racing car driver, who was test driving a 356 in the Grossglockner Pass. Hamilton accompanied Frankenberg back to the Porsche factory where he met and befriended Ferdinand “Ferry” Porsche. Hamilton brought two 356’s to Australia, a Coupe and a Cabriolet and founded Norman Hamilton and Co (importers) and Porsche Car Distributors (sales) becoming the second appointed agent outside Europe after U.S. entrepreneur Max Hoffman had introduced the brand the previous year. Both these cars remain in Melbourne.

Within months of arrival in Australia, the first Porsche 356s were participating in hillclimb and speed events, while in 1953, the first Coupe was classified as a finisher in the historic first 10,600km REDEX Reliability Trial held in Outback Australia as well as participating in circuit racing and further ‘Around Australia’ Trials in the 1950s.

Originally owned by the O’Neil family, NSW Porsche distributors and discerning enthusiasts, this Porsche Car Distributors Australian delivered car was sold new in Ruby Red with factory sunroof, bench seat, complete with factory headlight grille and electric glove box clock.

The car underwent a full restoration during 1996 to 1998 and has been continually maintained by the appropriate servicing specialists. Records and documentation accompany the car.

This vehicle will be sold unregistered.