Porsche 356A Speedster 1957

Border Reivers are delighted to offer another spectacular Porsche 356A Speedster, this one is a T1 from 1957 and in Concours condition.

1957 Porsche 356A T1 Speedster

• VIN: 82978

• Completed on the 14th February 1957. This Porsche was a wedding present for its 1st Lady owner Ms Audry Hayden.

Ms Audrey Fulton Hayden of Pittsburgh PA, owned the car from new until 2015 an incredible 58 years, it was the purchased & imported into the UK 2016 making this a genuine 3 owner car. Documentation as with a lot of old car is a little sketchy however we do have the original registration documents from 1959 in Ms Haydens name also her insurance documents which show its expiring 10/14/1959 also included is a certificate of registration showing her as registered in Indiana which shows paid Aug 21st 1959.This shows the vehicle as a 1957 & the correct Vin as 82978. Shows the date Purchased as 10/58.(see at bottom of this page). We also have a Certificate of Authenticity from Porsche Cars North America. The car is UK registered & comes with a V5 registration document.

This Porsche Speedster is fresh from a full Concours level restoration. During the restoration, this 356 was completely disassembled so that every aspect could be properly addressed. The 356 was stripped down to the bare tub and had minimal rust it still has its original floors. All of the decks and doors are matching. The decks, doors, bumpers, over rider bars, windshield frame, and soft-top were all pre-fit to ensure a perfect fit. The complete driveline was rebuilt including the engine, transmission, suspension, braking system, wire harness, and fuel system. All the chrome was triple plated, and the components were either restored or replaced.

According to the Kardex, driveline corresponds to the Kardex and is matching. Options included USA overrider bumpers and Sealed Beam Headlights. Absolutely superb in every way, ready for any concour event or to drive and enjoy. Complete with tools, drivers manual, car cover, side curtains, Jack, hood/roof cover. Truly one of the best 1957 T1 Speedsters that you will find!

Specification
• 60 horsepower
• 1,582cc OHV air-cooled horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine
• Dual Zenith 32 carburetors
• Four-speed manual 644 transmission
• Independent front suspension with laminated torsion bars
• Parallel trailing arms, and tubular shock absorbers
• Independent rear swing axles with torsion bars and tubular shock absorbers
• Four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes

History

Porsche has the Speedster to thank for their success in the United States. Without this little convertible, it could be argued that Porsche sales might not have ever taken off in the fiercely competitive US market. The car’s low-slung and focused looks appealed to sports car enthusiasts and its price of just under $3,000 definitely helped to get Speedsters off the showroom floors and out onto the open road. Boasting few creature comforts but excellent driving characteristics, it helped cement Porsche’s reputation in the United States and earned it a hugely desirable portion of the sports car market at a time when the motto of most British marques was “export or die.”

The Speedster holds a special place in Porsche history, not only as a sales success but also as an icon of minimalist automotive design. It remains a beloved vehicle today, and a well-restored and properly maintained Speedster, such as this example, is on the wish list of nearly every car enthusiast around the world. Simply put, no important collection would be complete without a proper Speedster, as it is an equal in automotive design and history as the California Spider and 300 SL, but it further benefits from practicality and ease of use, which makes it as perfect for running errands as handling twisty mountain roads. Motoring enthusiasts new to the classic car world are well served to acquire a “blue chip” Porsche such as this.

Border Reivers have sold more Porsche Speedsters than anyone else in the UK so why would you go elsewhere.