LITERATURE
Steve Heinrichs et al., Porsche Speedster Typ 540: Quintessential Sports Car, p. 226

THIS CAR
Introduced in late 1954, the Porsche 356 Speedster was designed as a dual-purpose sports car – one that could serve as both daily transportation and, with little modification, a successful weekend racecar.

Originally priced at $2,995, well below Porsche’s more luxurious Coupe and Cabriolet models, the Speedster was equipped with a stylish, cut-down windscreen, racy bucket seats, a minimal folding soft top, and side curtains in place of standard roll-up windows. These features reduced the car’s weight and made it ideally suited for competition use. It was not long before the 356 Speedster established itself as a dominant force in sports car racing, capturing wins at diverse venues, including the SCCA races at Pebble Beach and the punishing Marathon de la Route.

The Porsche 356 A Speedster presented here is a particularly rare find, as it is one of only 335 examples originally finished in Aquamarine Blue (Code 5707A), one of the most attractive colors offered for the 356 series.

Completed on December 23, 1957, 84313 is a late-production T-2 Speedster that can be immediately distinguished from the earlier Pre-A and T-1 versions by its tear-drop taillights, shine-up license-plate light, rear bumper guards with integrated exhaust passages, and minor differences in hardware and interior trim. In total, just 1,129 T-2 Speedsters were built between 1957 and 1958.

As recorded in Porsche factory records, this Speedster was sold new through Hoffman Motors in New York City and originally equipped with US-specification bumpers and headlights. While little is known of the Speedster’s earliest whereabouts, in 1972 it was acquired by an enthusiast in Richmond, Virginia. The Porsche was used as a fun weekend car until 1995, when it was parked in the owner’s carport.

Offered for public sale for the first time, this unrestored Speedster is a true time capsule with a well-worn appearance ideally suited for the model. Though the body displays corrosion in expected areas, this Speedster is remarkably complete and original throughout. The faded Aquamarine Blue paint has a wonderful uniform appearance, the hood and deck lid are both stamped with the last digits of the chassis number, and the factory data tags are present under the hood and in the driver’s doorjamb. The matching-numbers engine retains many of its important ancillary components, and the gas tank and sending unit display appropriate late 1957 date stampings. Even the non-original features, such as the aftermarket chrome wheels, Bursch-style exhaust system, and vinyl top material, are common 1970s-era modifications that contribute to this Speedster’s undeniable charm.

Whether its new owner chooses to preserve the Porsche in its current condition or embark on a complete concours-quality restoration, this 356 A Speedster is sure to pique the interest of Porsche enthusiasts the world over.