1960 Porsche 356 B (T5) Roadster by Drauz                   ...

Estimate

£120,000 - £130,000

1960 Porsche 356 B (T5) Roadster by Drauz          
                  
Chassis Number: 87755
Registration Number: J147383
Recorded Mileage: 19,800 miles

From its humble beginnings, Porsche’s 356 evolved into the car that established both Porsche and the 356 as industry icons. A class win at Le Mans in 1951 showed its capabilities, but it was legendary New York dealer Max Hoffman who influenced the factory and made it desirable among wealthy American buyers. The 356 B model ran for three years from 1960, featuring styling changes and technical upgrades. Launched at the 1959 Frankfurt Show, the new body featured raised headlamps, a re-designed fuel tank for better luggage space, and a larger front boot lid. The interior boasted better instrumentation and more comfortable seats, and the convertible got a better top. It was a sophisticated European sports car capable of a 115 mph top speed. The model attracted celebrities like Steve McQueen and Janis Joplin.

Not to be confused with a regular cabriolet, the Roadsters, built by Drauz coachworks between 1959 and 1961 (for model years 1960 to 1962), are a direct descendant of a Speedster.

The Roadster features a sleeker silhouette, a lower, more attractive windscreen with the chrome surround (like a Speedster, built to be removable for sporting use), one-piece wind up windows, the lovely Speedster style dashboard, no rear seats and a lighter single layer hood. Research suggests just 2,653 of the Roadster variants were built. With their sporting slant, and at one-time small value, very few cars remain.

Like many European-produced sportscars of the period, this Roadster was delivered new to its first US owner in 1960, originally leaving the factory in Heron Grey. By the early 1990s the Roadster was brought to the Channel Islands by a German car collector, later changing hands but remaining on the Islands. The 356 has been subject to a previous restoration, finished in a period-correct shade of Ivory, with a black roof and interior.

More recently the Porsche received attention from 356 expert Steve Winter, who carried out various improvements including an engine service, clutch, rebuilt braking system and wheel bearings, new battery and electrical works, five new tyres and other sundry items. A bill for £21,000 covering this work is to be found in the history file. Further preparation works have been undertaken prior to sale, details of which are available upon request.

The bonnet catch and engine lid have chassis-matching stamps, also correct Roadster doors and original detail fixtures and fittings are to be found on the car. At some point in the past the original engine (Type 616/1 1600cc) was replaced with a similar unit. Interested buyers should note that as the car resides still in the Channel Islands, if it were to be imported into the UK it would be subject to the historic rate of import duty at 5%.

This wonderfully usable 356 will, we are sure, provide many years of fun and enjoyment for the lucky next owner.