Bring A Trailer NO RESERVE auction preview: Super cabriolet, beautiful restoration, Kardex matching engine and gearbox.1963 Porsche 356B CabrioletChassis No. – 158698Engine No. – 611117Transmission No. - 65785Exterior Color – BlackInterior Color – TanEngine Type – 1.6 Liter Flat-FourGearbox – 4-Speed Manual TransaxleCurrent Mileage – 2,900 miles Marque and Model HistoryThe legendary Porsche 356 remains today one of the icons of sports car design. With its unique profile and race-inspired lineage, the 356 became the first Porsche to proudly bear the family name of Ferdinand Porsche. Introduced in 1948, the 356 continually evolved with design and mechanical refinements until 1965, when production yielded to the 911. Improvements in the line were notable by the early 1960s when compared with earliest examples, but the quality, design excellence, and overall driving experience remained a hallmark of Porsche engineering – features that continue to ring true to contemporary enthusiasts of the Porsche 356. History of this PorscheAccording to a copy of the Kardex, this Porsche was completed in July 1963, finished in Oslo Blue with black leather interior. The car was first delivered to Katherine Miller, American High School, Hanau/Main. The two original service booklets included with this car, the first owner, Katherine Miller serviced it in the first three years while in Germany. Having noted her address in Berlin, Germany, Eduard Winter Porsche-Generalvertrefung is stamped in numerous service tabs in the second of two services booklets (number II and number III). The original books and Kardex both confirm the chassis number as well as the engine number, both of which match the car today. The gearbox number also matches the Kardex. Service tabs remaining in the second book begin July 10, 1965, with 31,043 miles with service stamps from the selling dealer until mid 1967 when service stamps begin with “Joe Heishman’s, Inc.”, Arlington, Virginia, the first of which is logged with 46,163 miles with the last entry in 1969 with 59,000 miles. On September 4, 1969, at 72,000 miles a new speedometer was installed reading zero miles. The last stamped service entry was logged in December 1969 with 4,697 miles with an earlier entry indicating the car was serviced in Woodburn, Oregon. The current owner purchased the car after a comprehensive restoration had been performed under prior ownership. In 2015, the owner engaged Beck’s European to rebuild the engine and gearbox including powder coating for the engine and transmission sheet metal, replacement of engine weatherstripping, and a speedometer rebuild (zeroed out in 2019). The service invoice indicates mileage at that time at 45,494 miles prior to rebuild and odometer reset to zero. The engine build included new rod bearings, new camshaft, engine seals, new gaskets, new main bearings and rods, and 86mm high compression Nikosil cylinders with JE pistons. The crank was polished, heads resurfaced, a new valve job performed, and the rotating assembly balanced. The gearbox was rebuilt with new tubes, a welded shift finger, gaskets and seals, ring gear bolts, ground strap, 4G gear set, wheel bearing washers, and axle boot clamps. In 2020 the car returned to Beck’s with 556 miles with service to the brakes, clutch adjustment, valve adjustment, new valve cover gaskets, installation of two rebuilt Zenith carburetors, and clear paint film protection installed over the front of the car to the forward door jambs. In 2021, with 2,325 miles indicated, a new battery was installed, and an oil and filter change performed. A modern micro electric fuel pump has been installed. In preparation for sale, a new starter has been installed. General OverviewToday with approximately 2,900 miles indicated, this 356 Cabriolet presents as a high-quality restoration showing only modest evidence of use since the restoration was completed. The speedometer indicates miles accumulated since 2019 when it was zeroed out concurrent with the engine and gearbox rebuild. The black paint is glossy throughout with smooth surfaces, properly finished door jambs and underside panels, and clean detailing around surface mounted components. The trim is in excellent condition overall including highly reflective chrome smooth exterior door handles, excellent lenses, and correct lighting. The panel gaps are consistent and very well resolved especially considering the unforgiving black finish. The side glass bears the original Sekurit brand etching, The engine lid and front storage area offer excellent closure while the doors open and shut with the distinctive Porsche “ping”. Both the engine lid and the hood bear the last three digits of the chassis number indicating these are original body panels for this car. Outfitted with wider chrome plated ventilated wheels and chrome plated wheel covers, the stance and driving appeal is particularly nice riding on a set of contemporary Continental Procontact 165/65 R15 radial tires dated 2020.The tan interior presents very well with handsome finishes reflective of a correct restoration that has since been impressively maintained. The leather covered seats, matching vinyl door panels, correct carpeting, and tan canvas convertible top are all similarly unified in fit and finish. The dashboard is particularly nice, having been treated to restored instrumentation with vivid color and nomenclature contrasted by matching black paint, smooth tan dash padding, a beautifully finished wood rim steering wheel featuring polished aluminum spokes, and a glossy Porsche center emblem surrounded by a chrome horn ring. The rear seating area is finished with matching materials including matching carpet allowing for small passenger seating or useful storage. Under the engine lid, the engine bay delivers a thoughtful and correct presentation using Porsche parts, correct oil filter canister, correct air cleaners, and engine details. Having benefited from comprehensive and recent engine and transmission rebuilds performed by Porsche experts, the matching numbers engine has been refurbished using factory type finishes, proper coatings, correct hardware, and fasteners, all of which contribute to the overall quality of the restoration. The front storage compartment also bears a matching three-digit hinge number and stores a correct spare tire and date coded steel rim. The undercarriage is representative of a well-cared for example with sound floor pans, a sound battery box, and properly restored components including the correct transmission.The car starts easily warm or cold and is a delight to drive, exhibiting smooth road manners and progressive acceleration through all gears up to highway speeds. Handling is consistent with cars of this era, and braking is quite good, coming down from higher speeds with confidence. The overall ride integrity is excellent even when encountering bumpy road surfaces and, with the top and side windows down, open-air touring is effortless and pleasurable.Included with this CarThis Porsche comes with four 5/63 date coded stamped steel rims, a pair of aftermarket black floor mats, a jack, an original type tool roll and tools, a modern tool set, a car cover, an owner’s manual, and service record booklets dating back to 1965.