Lot 404: 1961 Porsche 356B 1600 Coup�

One of the all-time great sports cars, the 356 was the work of Ferry Porsche and 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 all-independent torsion bar 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 Le Sarthe.

The first phase of development saw the 356�s engine grow to 1.3 and then to 1.5 liters; the original split windscreen replaced by a one-piece; and a Porsche synchromesh gearbox adopted. 1955 marked the arrival of the restyled 356A, the newcomer being readily distinguished by its rounded windscreen and 15� - down from 16� - wheels. Numerous further styling revisions differentiated the 356B of 1959 from its immediate predecessor while the engine - now standardised at 1,600cc - was available in three different stages of tune, the most powerful - apart from the four-cam Carrera - being the 90bhp unit of the Super 90.

The vendor has owned this 356B 1600 Coup� for the past ten years in Carson City, Nevada having purchased it in Minden, Nevada from the previous owner. It is understood that the latter had bought the car from a friend in the Sacramento, Califorina area and owned it for approximately five years, during which time it was not registered and only used occasionally. While in the present ownership the car has been registered and used as a driver during non-winter months. We are advised that it was repainted before the previous owner purchased it and that no engine work has been performed while the last two owners have had the car, though a new clutch was installed less than 1,000km ago. (The current odometer reading is 90,619). The engine has been fitted with after-market 42mm Weber carburetors and an after-market exhaust system, while the electrical system is original 6-volt with the exception of the radio, which operates via a 12-volt converter installed in the front trunk near the battery. (It should be noted that the engine number is not known, as the 3rd crankcase piece is an unstamped factory replacement). Included with the car is a custom car cover, wool front seat covers (grey), parts manual, maintenance manual, Up-Fixin der Porsche Vol I, II, 356 Performance Handbook and Nevada Certificate of Title.