1964 Porsche 356 SC 1600 Cabriolet

Chassis No. 159678
Transmission No. 73461
The ultimate iteration of the lightweight, rear-engined, rear-wheel drive Porsche 356, the 356 C, appeared in 1964, coinciding with Porsche's purchase of the Reutter coachbuilding firm, which would handle all Coupe and Cabriolet construction in Stuttgart for the remainder of 356 production. New equipment on the 356 C included four-wheel disc brakes, a ZF steering gear, and a 12-volt electrical system. The most significant improvement over its predecessor was the availability of a 1600 cc 'SC' engine with a higher compression ratio and counterweighted crankshaft allowing it to produce 95-horsepower – the most powerful pushrod engine ever produced by Porsche at the time. Available in a range of open-top body styles throughout the 15-year production of the 356, the sporting Cabriolet was always the most expensive when new with its body-color windshield frame and heavily-padded top.
A left-hand drive example dating from the penultimate year of production, this 1964 356 SC Cabriolet was completed at Porsche's Zuffenhausen factory on 28 November 1963, in Rubinrot (Ruby Red - 6402) paintwork with a (Schwarz) Black leather interior. According to its Porsche-issued Certificate of Authenticity, the range-topping SC Cabriolet was additionally optioned with dual 'Talbot' mirrors, fog lights, and Dunlop tires. Although much of the car's early history is unrecorded, a digital copy of its factory Kardex reveals that the Cabriolet was sold new through Porsche Edgar Kittner Sportwagenzentrum in Lübeck, Germany to its original owner, Lilli Blessmann – German national field hockey team player and the wife and manager of Austrian singer Freddy Quinn. The second name listed on the Kardex, Peter Tretow, is noted as being a “friend of Blessman,” and is thought to have gifted the car to her as a birthday present. As the Kardex is essentially a warranty card, it records that it was fit with a replacement engine (KD-P 821546) on 26 Feb 1965 at the original selling dealer, Edgar Kittner Sportwagenzentrum.
Today, the consignor notes that this 356 SC presents beautifully throughout in its red and black color scheme, having benefitted from a complete restoration at some point in its past and that the current engine and transmission serial numbers match the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity which is nicely framed and included in the sale. Driven sparingly since completion, the Cabriolet was recently subject to a complete inspection and servicing by the marque specialists at GMP Performance of South Atlanta, Georgia, and is said to be in superb mechanical condition. This ultimate iteration of Porsche's original design is offered with its matching black soft top boot cover and is ready to be enjoyed.