DT: 1955 Porsche 356 Coupe Pre-A 1600 Twin-Plug
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1955
- Make: Porsche
- Model: 356
- VIN: 53466
- Mileage: 52,427mi
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Turkish Red
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Dedham, MA 02026
- Lot #: V-0043467-DT
Marking the final year of the early Pre-A model, this 1955 Porsche 356 Coupe is finished in its factory-specified combination of Turkish Red (5402) over red leatherette with corduroy seat inserts, corresponding with its original Kardex and Porsche Certificate of Authenticity. It has been fitted with a high-performance twin-plug 912 engine by Jack Morris of Morris Brothers, a full-flow oil filter system, and a dual-mount 4-speed 519 manual transmission rebuilt by specialist Vic Skirmants. This tastefully upgraded early 356 is now being offered for auction by its seller out of Massachusetts.
This Pre-A model can be distinguished from the later 356A by its uniquely bent single-piece windscreen. Other details include individual beehive-style taillights, chrome horn grilles, a chrome Porsche-crested trunk lid handle, a polished driver’s side mirror, dual tailpipes, front window vents, and 16” slotted wheels with chrome hubcaps. It rides on a set of Firestone tires from 2021 in like-new condition. This example has been refinished in its factory-specified shade of Turkish Red (5402), which is said to remain in driver-quality condition with some paint chips and signs of road wear. Restoration-Design front and rear bumpers have been fitted with period-correct rub strips and bumper guards. A minor dent is noted just below and to the left of the driver-side taillight, detailed images are provided in the gallery.
The cabin has been refurbished with factory-specified red leatherette upholstery and corduroy seat inserts by Autos International. Other details include a body-color dashboard, red leatherette-trimmed door panels, a cream-finished steering wheel and knobs, chrome trim, Coco floor mats, and grey carpeting. A Rubber front trunk mat with vinyl side panels and Autos International engine compartment vinyl has also been fitted. Other equipment includes VDO instrumentation, roll-up windows, a glovebox, and an AM/FM stereo. The seller notes the trip odometer and the light on the end of the turn signal stalk are currently inoperable.
Included in the sale is the original 1500cc engine, verified by COA, reportedly underwent a “zero hour” rebuild by Rainer Cooney of Meister Restorations and has been hand-turned monthly. Subsequently, a high-performance 1,600cc flat-four 912 engine, crafted by Jack Morris of Morris Brothers, was installed in 2014 at 46,700 miles, now totaling 52,500 miles. Equipped with twin spark plugs and a full-flow oil filter system, the engine reportedly yields a 28-40% enhancement in power. The rear wheels are driven through an unserialized 519-case transmission said to have been recently rebuilt by Vic Skirmants and installed approximately 1,000 miles ago. The equipment also includes Koni shocks and 356 B-derived drum brakes. The seller adds that invoices dating back to 2006 will accompany the sale.
This sale will include a clean title, the original Kardex, a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, a host of documentation, the original 1500cc engine, a Telefunken radio, four Pre-A 356 Porsche brake drums, the original tachometer, and (4) 16” Sunrad wheels.
The seller would like you to know: “My 1955 Pre-A Porsche has been well developed and refined to be a superior driver. I have owned 356s for over thirty years and know how much fun they can be to drive. This car is the ultimate fun to drive, and their scarcity ensures that you'll find many folks at car shows with great interest in this car.”
Comments (0)
Bid in the amount of $125,000
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Bid in the amount of $64,356
Bid in the amount of $61,000
Bid in the amount of $59,356
@GEScars - no
Do you have the original Tranny?
Thank you
Bid in the amount of $51,606
Bid in the amount of $51,356
@Fatelf I added a picture of the floorpan. There is nothing that tells me this is “rotting underneath” and having driven this car since 2006 I think any lurking problems would have shown up already. I have always had problems repaired as needed. I would jump in this car and drive hundreds of miles.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
@Fatelf I will add a picture of the under side. They are solid and I’m assuming that they were replaced.
Bid in the amount of $51,000
Can please provide pictures of the undercarriage?
Thank you
Looks like a great driver. Any chance you could comment on the rust situation? If you could comment on the pan and body it would be much appreciated. I’ve had a some great drivers that were just absolutely rotting underneath… still great drivers nonetheless.
Bid in the amount of $50,356
Bid in the amount of $50,000
Thank you for response.
Hope you enjoy a peaceful Graduation event!
@Jet2jeff2 Jeff: I am out of town until Tuesday (grandson college graduation), bad planning on my part. See Precision Matters website for twin plug hp. Over 100 hp my estimate. The OEM engine 1500cc, was 55 hp originally.
I may have a chance to fly into Norwood late Sunday.
If it happensIs it possible to see the 356 in person?
Any estimate of the power output of the twin plug 1600?
Vannyou confirm the originsl 1500cc engine is a normal, 55 hp engine?
@MSD911 I don’t think a video of braking will tell much as the B improvement relates to less fade from heat. How can that be videotaped?
@Jet2jeff2 I got them from somebody on 356 Registry. The vents are easily adjusted to allow windows up and down.
@A1959356D Photos were done by professional hired through Pcar so I had no control of what they took. Car is a wonderful driver.
Bid in the amount of $40,250
Bid in the amount of $40,000
Rust Concern... lots of bubbles of rust from the inside out, Mass. uses salt on roads for years.
Paint job appears to be of very poor quality in places, maybe they are touch-ups
Hate photos, I can never really tell what I am looking at.
Interesting engine. Not much to judge on bottom of car photos. Should do better ...
@MSD911 The original engine is totally rebuilt and has had zero hours of use. I’m on a road trip and will give a longer answer later today.
Good morning,
Can you tell me where you sourced the little wing vent windows? How are they mounted and can you wind the windows all the way up with these mounted on the car?
Hi… few questions please:
1. Is it possible to see a ‘driving’ vid?
2. Also a ‘stopping’ vid to get a feel for those 356B drums.
3. What is a ‘zero hour rebuild’ exactly on the original engine? Is that engine salvageable?
Beautiful car, thank you.
Do you have the original tranny?
Bob Smyth flew F8F Grumman Bearcats in my Dad’s Air Group in early 1950s on carrier Tarawa. Bob was first test pilot to fly the A-6, F-14 and Gulfstreams I, II, III, IV. He loved his Porsches too.What a great American!
@Jet2jeff2 Grumman test pilot Bob Smyth was the first of the Grumman pilots to buy a 356.
My first Porsche in 1962 was a 1500S ‘55 Continental coupe with 4 pipe Abarth exhaust. I paid $400 for it and dragged it home behind my no floor ‘59 VW convert employing my 12 yr old little brother steering the the 356. It had no brakes so he had to keep the rope tight with the emergency brake lever.
Bid in the amount of $15,356
tlc356- side note
I bought my Beechcraft Bonanza from Grumman test pilot Bob Smyth and his partner John Bishop( IMSA founder). Both terrific gentlemen - and the aircraft was near perfect!
Bid in the amount of $15,000
@Scalemotorsport I appreciate your thanks.
This seller is very engaged, thanks much for your prompt responses!
Bid in the amount of $10,000
@GEScars Yes it does come with a 15" spare tire.
Does the car come with a spare tire?
The 1950's history of this car is well documented in a 356 Registry article in the magazine (May/June. 2019, 43-1). After the lead test pilot at Grumman Aircraft on Long Island, NY bought a 356, several co-workers also bought 356s. Mine was owned by Jack Patton and I was able to talk with his friend, neighbor, test pilot and fellow 356 owner who gave me photos of both of their 356s in the 1950s.
@jab7106 I
There is nothing that I would do mechanically to this car-I've got all of them working beautifully. The tire date codes are 0921.
Beautiful example !!!
If you were going to keep the car would you do anything mechanically to it ??
Does it require anything mechanically right now ? Can you provide date codes on the tires ??
@Jet2jeff2 It was painted before I bought it in 2006. Jack Morris did all the work on the twin plug engine (and Rainer Cooney of Meister did the rebuild on the OEM engine).
Looks well used and comfortable like an old pair of boat shoes. I like it!
When was the last time it was painted? Who did the twin plug head machining?
@Neunelfer A previous owner added the Continental script to the car which was first sold in Germany so it is not a an original Continental. I had noted this in my written description but it was cut out in editing.
do you have any documentation this is an authentic Continental? It's not listed on the COA or the 356 Continental Registry. thx
Nicht schlecht für achtsundsechzig jahre alt. Viel Glück
Important NOTE:
The OEM engine with a zero hour rebuild is included in the sale.