1963 Porsche 356B Rally Car
Registration no. YSK 317
Chassis no. 211951
Engine no. 806018

The work of Ferry Porsche, and one of the all-time great sportscars, the 356 was based on the Volkswagen designed by his father. Like the immortal 'Beetle', the 356 employed a platform-type chassis with rear-mounted air-cooled engine and torsion bar all-independent suspension. In 1951 a works car finished first in the 1,100cc class at the Le Mans 24-Hour Race, thus beginning the marque's long and illustrious association with La Sarthe. Although Porsche did not make a serious works effort in international rallying until the arrival of the 911, the 356 in private hands proved very competitive, being strongly constructed, light in weight and adequately powerful, especially in four-cam Carrera form. Early successes included private entrants Helmut Polesnky and Walter Schluter's victory in the 1952 Liège-Rome-Liège Rally and the same duo's European Touring Championship the following year. And as late as 1961 the 356 proved good enough to bring works-assisted privateer Hans Walter the European Rally Championship. Today these versatile Porsche 356 GTs are among the most competitive cars in their class in historic circuit racing and rallying. Manufactured in October 1962, this late, left-hand drive Porsche 356B coupé has the successor 356C model's disc brakes and was delivered new to Colorado, USA. In 1992 the car was the subject of a 'ground upwards' bare shell rebuild by Roger Bray Restorations using the original matching-number engine, which has been up-rated to 1,720cc and produces 100bhp-plus (see full history file complete with photographs). It has been in the current ownership for most of the time since then. A well-known car in the rally world, 'YSK 317' has participated in many events including the Classic Marathon, Rallye des Alpes, Rallye des Isles, Liège-Rome-Liège and Three Castles. It is equipped with a GT fuel tank, oil cooler, 12-volt conversion, period rally seats, full harness belts, fire extinguisher, head sets, roll cage and GT-style louvred grille. Currently taxed for the road, 'YSK 317' has been looked after by renowned marque specialist Andy Prill for the past nine years and everything that has needed to keep the car in 'A1' condition has been done. The most recent major service was carried out in April 2013 by Maxted Page & Prill (invoice on file). Accompanying paperwork consists of the aforementioned restoration records, sundry service invoices, a quantity of expired MoTs, UK V5 registration document, current MoT certificate, FIA fuel tank certificate (2005) and FIVA identity card.