There is heaps here to talk about but its important to really focus on how rare these early Cabriolets are. The factory only ever produced tiny numbers, infact, this is just one of around 14 such RHD Cabriolets built for the 1961 model year, against a total production run of 206 RHD Cabriolets, so an uncommonly rare sight on UK roads during the 60's and evidently like "hens teeth" today !

First, let’s start with some important back ground. Originally supplied on 15 May 1961 by  Moortown Motors Ltd, the Porsche/VW distributor in Leeds,  the only factory option noted on the Kardex is Michelin Tyres, otherwise this was a stock 1600cc 60 Bhp Porsche 356. The engine was changed and uprated by AFN to an 'S' unit(89270) on 22nd August 1961. This was a logical and an often used approach by AFN in period, as the 75Bhp  engine at 5000rpm was a great deal more tractable than the standard unit. Pleasingly,this is noted on both the original Porsche factory Kardex and AFNs record aswell.

The car you see today is the result of a meticulous and rigorous 831 hour nut and bolt restoration by both the award winning Porsche restorer, Sportwagen and highly regarded PR Services. There are over 500 digital images on file mapping its initial dismantling and then the subsequent rebuild, plus all the correspondence and invoices with its celebrity owner who requested some subtle and mild custom changes, which Sportwagen cleverly incorporated into the car. The end result is a build quality of an exacting standard elicited from original manufacturers drawings and upgraded where necessary.

If I may elaborate on this last point, 356's are all about shape and this car's shape is excellent and correct. This is hard to achieve and often restored cars are lacking in this respect. All of the door gaps here are excellent and so are the seams and edges on every panel. The wired edged wheel arches are the correct shape and the lower edge of the front and rear clips have also been wired edged. Worthy of note, production 356's had simple flanged edges, whilst only the ultra rare Carrera engined cars had this extra wire edging, both an expensive and desirable modification.

Andy Prill was asked to inspect the car prior to its purchase in 2015 and his accompanying inspection report endorses all that I have written above. Reading as it does very favourably it certainly gave the current owner total comfort that they were purchasing a very fine motor car.

Although PRS had undertaken all the post restoration servicing and one in February 2016, due to logistics, all subsequent servicing and maintenance has been entrusted to the renowned specialists, Parr Porsche in Crawley. The invoices show a pragmatic approach to servicing an older car plus importantly a gearbox rebuild 5 years ago as 1st & 2nd had become harder to engage. Sensibly the clutch was also replaced at the same time.

A new mohair roof and full tonneau were fitted by PRS in 2015, and both elements work exceptionally well, insomuch the roof seals tightly, whilst the tonneau is effective for one person whilst driving at speed and water tight when stationary, and  both remain unblemished and uncannily like new.

Just sitting in this 356 is special. It exudes quality and on the move it's certainly the nicest 356 Cabriolet I've driven, with gutsy performance from its correct "S" 75 bhp engine, accompanied by a great sound track too courtesy of the  sports exhaust!

To summarise, one can genuinely track this car’s  entire restoration from the history file which incorporates both a memory stick and DVD, plus a rather nice hard back book chronicling pictorially this whole process. Additionally, there's a multitude of service invoices & MOTs, a Porsche COA, Prills' report and finally a copy of both the factory kardex and AFN card record

This is a genuine opportunity to acquire, in RHD form, the celebrated Porsche Sports 356 Cabriolet which rarely comes to market in this condition and with such provenance.

It would be a pleasure to answer any questions you might have. However, to really appreciate this car it needs to be seen “in the flesh”, so do please call me directly on 07788 865700 to arrange a viewing.

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