Porsche 356

Long before the 911, there was the 356. This was the model with which Porsche established its identity as a sports car manufacturer, following the arrival of the very first Porsche in 1948. When this example was built in 1953, that story was still in its earliest chapters. Its rounded bodywork, compact proportions and air-cooled engine capture the character of those pioneering years. The “Pre-A” designation identifies the original 356 series, before the later A, B and C models. Its distinctive centre-creased windscreen is one of the details that make a 1953 example immediately recognisable. Today, this ivory-coloured 1500 brings that early history to life, with a story that continues on the road.

Fully restored in 2020, this 356 underwent a painstaking process in which preserving its originality took priority. The Reutter-built steel body was stripped of its paint in an immersion bath, exposing the bare metal beneath. Throughout the restoration, particular care was taken to retain the original bodywork and to recondition and rebuild original components wherever possible.

The car was restored to its original factory specifications, with one considered exception: a more durable leather was selected for the interior, retaining the original colour. The exterior was refinished in its original Ivory R 509 (P 504), using the factory-specified paint system. A colour that beautifully complements the flowing lines and understated details of this early Porsche.

Power reaches the rear wheels through a single-plate dry clutch and a fully synchronised four-speed manual gearbox. Behind the wheel, the compact dimensions, manual controls and sound of the air-cooled engine bring you close to the mechanical character that defined these early sports cars.

Since its restoration, this 356 has covered just 3,750 kilometres, much of that distance during the Mille Miglia. In 2024, we took this Pre-A 1500 to Italy, where it successfully completed the event without a hitch. Driving through Italian towns and countryside, this Porsche added a memorable new chapter to its history, more than seventy years after it was built.

Officially registered in the Registro 1000 Miglia and eligible for the event, it offers its next owner the opportunity to continue that story. A carefully restored early Porsche with the looks, history and character to make every journey an occasion.

Read the full account of our Mille Miglia journey with this Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 in the news section of our website.

Any questions?

Our specialists will be happy to help. You are warmly welcome to visit our workshop in Twente, or contact us without obligation. We would be delighted to answer your questions over a good cup of coffee.