Description

Chassis No. 80592

As a family run company in the 1950s, Porsche generally did not solicit or receive outside advice, even from their own importers and dealer network whose success depended on retailing cars well suited to their customers' requirements. In the early 1950s, Max Hoffman, the sole United States importer of Porsche automobiles, had a suggestion for a type of car that he thought would sell well in the US, specifically in California. Porsche honored his request for a basic car; one that would be lightweight and simple, with an open top utilizing components and running gear serviceable at VW dealers across the country. The car ultimately developed – the aluminum-bodied 1952 356 America Roadster – was a success even if the meager sales total of 16 examples didn't reflect that.

What the America Roadster achieved, besides a few SCCA class victories, was the idea that this type of car would be a sales success in the US if it could be built to a price. By 1953, Max Hoffman and John Von Neumann, newly installed as Porsche's West Coast distributor, urged Porsche to begin a new, price-conscious project Typ 540 – ultimately called the 'Speedster.' With Von Neumann's direction on what was unnecessary, luxury items were deleted. A tachometer was not standard equipment, nor was a heater or roll-up windows. Sun visors and padded seats were optional. When it ultimately retailed at Max Hoffman's Manhattan showroom in 1954 for $2,995, the 356 Speedster was the sales success that Porsche dreamed of, especially on the West Coast, where it became a boulevard race car for some and a class-winning SCCA race car for others.

It can be difficult to remember that, when new, a 356 Speedster was the affordable Porsche. Some were raced or modified but all were driven as Porsche intended: with spirit and vigor. An aura of cool has always surrounded Speedsters and it is amazing that many, like this 'Pre-A' example, have survived largely intact and are presented today in such beautifully restored condition. According to a copy of its Kardex, this 1955 356 'Pre-A' Speedster was delivered through Max Hoffman's New York distributorship on 26 May 1955 finished in 601 Red paint and a Black 'Kunstleder' upholstered interior. While the Kardex does not list any special options, it is quite common for Speedsters to be built without much optional equipment as, again, it was considered the spartan Porsche when new! While mostly blank, Porsche's warranty card for a US-bound Speedster would normally show sealed-beam headlights and a speedometer scale in miles. Additionally, the Kardex contains small bits of interesting information noting that this Speedster's Bosch ignition lock key was coded 'C 089' and its door keys '5525'.

Little is known of this Speedster's early days, however, it should be noted that, while restored back to its fantastic build spec of Red over Black upholstery, it received a period correct 1500 cc Type 546 engine originally from a 1954 'Pre-A' 356. Of very similar spec to this Speedster's original 1500 cc engine, it must be said that finding an engine so close to the original in serial number and type is commendable! This very attractive and well-preserved restoration netted 80592 an AACA Senior National First Prize award in 1998, and without a doubt more than its fair share of envious looks while receiving it. Today, the 356 Speedster remains the iconic Stuttgart sports car – even after six decades of Porsche's 911 model. This extremely fine Pre-A is a wonderful example of these early, American-inspired 356s that are today uniquely treasured as the lightweight and perfectly balanced jewel of an automobile they were engineered to be.