- One of just three locally-delivered Pre-A 356 Speedsters
- Full, ground-up restoration
- Highly collectible on world market
One of Australia's rarest early Porches is going under the hammer at Shannons Sydney Summer Auction on February 17.
The stunning, triple-black and fastidiously-restored 1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A Speedster is one of just three factory right hand drive examples delivered by Hamiltons to Australian customers. It comes to auction from a prominent Porsche collection fresh from a just-completed no-expense-spared, ground-up restoration by Melbourne marque specialist Peter Hardt.
Porsche 356 production is split into four main categories: 1948-1955 (356), 1955-1959 (356 A), 1960-1963 (356 B) and 1964-1965 (356 C). The first 356s are commonly referred to as 'Pre-A' models and are considered by collectors to be the most desirable of all series production 356s.
Of the total production of 356s built, only around 10 per cent were 'Pre-As', with even fewer being Speedsters. Adding to the auction car's rarity is the majority of the 1234 Pre-A Speedsters built for the US market, with just 26 factory-built in right hand drive. This makes the surviving right hand drive cars even more desirable and collectible Internationally.
The Pre-A Speedster offered was originally delivered by Hamiltons in Melbourne on 6 July 1955 in red with black leatherette trim and is believed to have been Wheels magazine's January 1956 road test car.
It was last registered in 1978, spending many years off the road. Since it re-emerged last year it has covered itself with glory, winning the trophy for 'Best Restoration' at the 2019 Sydney Harbour Concours d'Elegance.
As an uber-rare example of the first production Porsche 356, the car being auctioned is highly collectible on the world market, with many Porsche enthusiasts considering the Pre-A Speedster one of the marques most desirable and highly collectible models
Shannons are expecting world-wide interest in the $750,000-$950,000 range.
To view all Shannons November 18 Sydney Spring Auction lots, visit www.shannons.com.au
For more auction information contact: Stuart Roberts (02) 8019 4179, or Damien Duigan (02) 8019 4180
For media information and publication-quality photos, please contact: Michael Browning 0418 324 328
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