Porsche 356 B 1600 Roadster
Highlights
Data & Facts
This Automobile
According to the specifications sheet, this Porsche 356 B 1600 Roadster was delivered by the factory in June 1961. The original colour was slate grey (colour code 6001D) with a light grey artificial leather interior. The sports car was delivered to the dealer Nordrhein GmbH in Düsseldorf, who sold it to its first owner (name known) in Düsseldorf-Benrath. Even today, the car retains (still or again) its original delivery colour of slate grey – to this day a classic and typical Porsche paint finish – and, with its current red leather interior, presents an extremely stylish combination. The engine and gearbox are still the original units with ‘matching numbers’. This is something that cannot be taken for granted in a 356 after more than 60 years.
The sporty roadster later found its way to France. There, in 2010–2011, it underwent a complete and professional ‘frame-off’ restoration by Serge Heitz, a renowned restoration specialist known far beyond France’s borders. As part of the restoration, the entire mechanical system, chassis, electrical system, gearbox and all components of the drivetrain were thoroughly overhauled.
The engine was also overhauled and, by using ‘big bore’ pistons, the power output was increased to around 85 hp. The braking system was renewed and, in 2023, the current owner retrofitted front disc brakes. Moreover, the underbody was treated with a protective coating.
The bodywork has been fully restored, with perfectly aligned doors and bonnets, and features a new high-quality paint finish. All bodywork and chrome elements, including the wheel rims, still look almost as good as new. The interior has also been completely refurbished (leather upholstery, door panels, floor coverings) and the instruments have been professionally restored. Overall, an excellent standard of quality has been achieved, which is immediately striking and continues to impress upon closer inspection..
In 2015, the roadster made its way to Germany and was purchased by its current owner four years ago. Thanks to its professional, high-quality restoration, this 356 is a truly exceptional example and, as a roadster, is a rather rare appearance in any case.
Model History
The Porsche 356 was launched in 1948 as the first production model of the sports car brand from Zuffenhausen and is also known as the "original Porsche". The first series ("Pre-A") was produced until 1955. In October of that year, the 356 A was presented as a modified successor. The successful Porsche 356 series was continued until 1965 in the development stages B, C and SC. The engine was always an air-cooled four-cylinder boxer. The available body styles were Coupé, Cabriolet, Hardtop Coupé (by Karmann), Speedster and at times Convertible D (later Roadster). It was not until 1963 that the 356 was replaced by the Porsche 901/911.
The 356 B model was introduced in autumn 1959 as a further development of the A. Modifications included asymmetrical headlights and the front wing housings ran slightly slimmer. The bumpers were raised to allow air intakes in the front apron for the new alloy drum brakes and to meet US requirements. In addition, the seats, transmission, brakes, electrics and engines were revised.
The tried and tested pushrod engine always had a displacement of 1.6 litres, which was available in three power levels: 60 hp (1600), 75 hp (1600 S) as well as 90 hp (1600 Super 90), generated by different compressions and different carburettor types.
Roadster variant: The open Convertible D was already available in the 356 A model from 1958 onwards and is to be placed between the puristic Speedster and the mature Cabriolet. The Convertible D differs from the Speedster in having a higher windscreen (but lower than the Cabriolet), a soft top with a larger rear window, crank windows and normally upholstered seats instead of the bucket seats. The "D" stands for Karosseriewerk Drauz in Heilbronn, which produced this body variant. With the modification to the B model, the Convertible D was designated "Roadster" from model year 1960, and was offered in all three engine variants of the 1600. Later, production of the Roadster took place at the coachbuilder D'Ieteren in Brussels until the model was discontinued in 1962. In total, only 2,902 examples of the 356 B with a Roadster body were manufactured from 1960 to 1962.
This Automobile
According to the specifications sheet, this Porsche 356 B 1600 Roadster was delivered by the factory in June 1961. The original colour was slate grey (colour code 6001D) with a light grey artificial leather interior. The sports car was delivered to the dealer Nordrhein GmbH in Düsseldorf, who sold it to its first owner (name known) in Düsseldorf-Benrath. Even today, the car retains (still or again) its original delivery colour of slate grey – to this day a classic and typical Porsche paint finish – and, with its current red leather interior, presents an extremely stylish combination. The engine and gearbox are still the original units with ‘matching numbers’. This is something that cannot be taken for granted in a 356 after more than 60 years.
The sporty roadster later found its way to France. There, in 2010–2011, it underwent a complete and professional ‘frame-off’ restoration by Serge Heitz, a renowned restoration specialist known far beyond France’s borders. As part of the restoration, the entire mechanical system, chassis, electrical system, gearbox and all components of the drivetrain were thoroughly overhauled. The engine was also overhauled and, by using ‘big bore’ pistons, the power output was increased to around 85 hp. The braking system was renewed and, in 2023, the current owner retrofitted front disc brakes. Moreover, the underbody was treated with a protective coating.
The bodywork has been fully restored, with perfectly aligned doors and bonnets, and features a new high-quality paint finish. All bodywork and chrome elements, including the wheel rims, still look almost as good as new. The interior has also been completely refurbished (leather upholstery, door panels, floor coverings) and the instruments have been professionally restored. Overall, an excellent standard of quality has been achieved, which is immediately striking and continues to impress upon closer inspection..
In 2015, the roadster made its way to Germany and was purchased by its current owner four years ago. Thanks to its professional, high-quality restoration, this 356 is a truly exceptional example and, as a roadster, is a rather rare appearance in any case.
Model History
The Porsche 356 was launched in 1948 as the first production model of the sports car brand from Zuffenhausen and is also known as the "original Porsche". The first series ("Pre-A") was produced until 1955. In October of that year, the 356 A was presented as a modified successor. The successful Porsche 356 series was continued until 1965 in the development stages B, C and SC. The engine was always an air-cooled four-cylinder boxer. The available body styles were Coupé, Cabriolet, Hardtop Coupé (by Karmann), Speedster and at times Convertible D (later Roadster). It was not until 1963 that the 356 was replaced by the Porsche 901/911.
The 356 B model was introduced in autumn 1959 as a further development of the A. Modifications included asymmetrical headlights and the front wing housings ran slightly slimmer. The bumpers were raised to allow air intakes in the front apron for the new alloy drum brakes and to meet US requirements. In addition, the seats, transmission, brakes, electrics and engines were revised. The tried and tested pushrod engine always had a displacement of 1.6 litres, which was available in three power levels: 60 hp (1600), 75 hp (1600 S) as well as 90 hp (1600 Super 90), generated by different compressions and different carburettor types.
Roadster variant: The open Convertible D was already available in the 356 A model from 1958 onwards and is to be placed between the puristic Speedster and the mature Cabriolet. The Convertible D differs from the Speedster in having a higher windscreen (but lower than the Cabriolet), a soft top with a larger rear window, crank windows and normally upholstered seats instead of the bucket seats. The "D" stands for Karosseriewerk Drauz in Heilbronn, which produced this body variant. With the modification to the B model, the Convertible D was designated "Roadster" from model year 1960, and was offered in all three engine variants of the 1600. Later, production of the Roadster took place at the coachbuilder D'Ieteren in Brussels until the model was discontinued in 1962. In total, only 2,902 examples of the 356 B with a Roadster body were manufactured from 1960 to 1962.