1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 Continental CabrioletChassis no. 60771Engine no. P35786

1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 Continental CabrioletCoachwork by ReutterChassis no. 60771Engine no. P35786
1,488cc OHV Flat 4-Cylinder EngineTwin Carburetors55bhp at 4,400rpm4-Speed Manual Transmission4-Wheel Independent Suspension4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes*One of only 228 Continental Cabriolets built*Rare and desirable one year only model*Exquisitely restored inside and out*Accompanied by its Porsche Certificate of AuthenticityTHE PORSCHE 356 CONTINENTALAlthough Ferdinand Porsche established his independent automotive design consultancy in the early 1930s, his name would not appear on a car until 1949. When it did, it graced one of the all-time great sports cars, the Porsche 356. The work of Ferry Porsche, the Type 356, was based on the Volkswagen designed by his father, Ferdinand, and, like the immortal 'Beetle', employed a platform-type chassis with rear-mounted air-cooled engine and all-independent torsion bar suspension. Having commenced manufacturing with a short run of aluminum-bodied cars built at Gmünd, Porsche began volume production of the steel-bodied 356 Coupe at its old base in Stuttgart. Firstly, at their premises shared with coachbuilders Reutter, then (from 1955) in its original factory at Zuffenhausen. In 1951, a works car finished first in the 1,100cc class at the Le Mans 24 Hours; therefore, beginning the marque's long and illustrious association with Le Sarthe.New York-based importer Max Hoffman (responsible for introducing the Spartan and sporty Speedster to the US), began his series of entry level Porsches with the 1500 America, a 'de-trimmed' 356 powered by the Normal (as opposed to Super) engine. For 1955, the 1500 America was superseded by the better equipped, though still "Normal" powered, Cotinental. According to Road & Track,The Normal produced more torque than the Super below 3,000rpm, and in any given gear, from any given speed, could out-accelerate the more powerful car. In deference to its graciousness, German customers called the 1500 Normal "die Dame - the Lady. However, following objections from Ford, the "Continental" name was discontinued after little more than a year. Today, the refined Continentals are among the rarest and most sought after of early 356s. THE MOTORCAR OFFEREDLeaving Porsche's Zuffenhausen factory on March 8, 1955, this car, as with all Continentals, was destined new to the US market. The car was originally consigned to the Max Hoffman Company in New York City on September 8, 1955. From there it was transferred to a Porsche dealer in Washington State and sold to a Washington resident. Documentation tapered for the next three decades, but on December 4, 1986, the car was sold to Todd Curtis of Redmond, Washington. A young collector at the time, Mr. Curtis would keep the Continental for six and a half years, before selling it, on June 13, 1993, to fellow Pacific Northwesterner Scott Johnston of Bend, OR. Johnston retained the car briefly, before selling it the following year to Nicola Montevecchi of Rimini, Italy. An Italian motoring enthusiast, Montevecchi quickly began a decade long restoration as soon as the car arrived in Italy. After an involved and thorough refurbishment, the car was issued, in 2005, a Classic Vehicle certificate by Automotoclub Storico Italy. The 356 remained in Italy for the next four years, before returning to the United States in the summer of 2009. Upon its return, it was purchased by the previous owner. Immediately following his acquisition of this Continental, nearly $20,000 was spent topping and tailing the car (e.g. extensive detailing, paintwork, mechanical servicing and tuning). Originally finished in silver metallic over green leather, the interior color has been retained, while the exterior is now painted a rich, elegant black. At some point, the car lost its original engine, but is presently fitted with a correct-type, 1,500cc Porsche engine. While in the care of the consignor – a prominent Southwestern based collector – the Continental Cabriolet has been fastidiously maintained and was exercised on the 2016 running of the California Mille rally. Given the swift actions by Ford to quash Porsche's attempts at using the Continental moniker, precious few Continentals were made in either Coupe or Cabriolet form. Only 228 of the later made it in before the fender script was changed from "Continental" to "European". Fully-loaded from the start, it was the first genuinely luxurious Porsche to be offered. Showing exceedingly well, this lovely Bent-Window 356 Continental is the perfect drop-top for touring, casual motoring, and shows. With Rennsport Reunion VI just around the corner, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a unique and special car seldom seen, even at the biggest of Porsche meets.