Phoenix, Arizona (July 2015) – Classic car “barn finds” represent one of the hottest segments in the hobby, as desirable vehicles coming out of long-term storage become increasingly valuable. Here’s the latest gem: a 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster recently uncovered after more than 50 years by ClassicCars.com, and now for sale on the website.
The Porsche Speedster was driven and raced during the early 1960s, with the third owner competing in amateur events at some of the many race tracks that once thrived in Southern California, such as Willow Springs, Santa Barbara, Pomona and Riverside, during the heyday of the sports-car scene. The little Porsche was highly successful in competition, said the owner, who has the trophies to show for it. “It could beat cars with three times the horsepower,” he said.
In 1965 after five years of ownership, he put the Speedster in storage, keeping it carefully garaged in the mild California climate with the intent of someday restoring it for street use. But now, he is ready to move on and contacted Roger Falcione, president and CEO of ClassicCars.com to help him sell it.
The covers were pulled back for the first time in decades to reveal the remarkably well-preserved car still in its racing fettle.
“This is so exciting,” said Falcione, as he saw the Porsche uncovered. “The car has been stored for a half century, and we were there to see it come out after so many years. We’re gratified that the owner chose ClassicCars.com to sell his prized possession.”
The 1957 Porsche Speedster features:
- An apparently rust-free body and structure, and original interior and seats.
- Only 50,300 miles on its odometer.
- All original except for a later race-tuned 356 engine and other performance additions, including Porsche disk brakes on all four corners, racing clutch and flywheel, limited-slip differential, and 1958 rear taillights.
- The sale includes the majority of the original parts including front and rear bumpers, brake drums, side trim, top frame, headlight bezel and AM radio. Magnesium-rimmed Porsche racing wheels (original steel wheels and hub caps are included in the sale) and racing tires. The removable roll bar is still attached.
“In the last five years, any Speedster found in any condition in any barn and in any field is the pot of gold at the end of the Porsche rainbow for most collectors,” said Bob Gutjahr, a Porsche Club of America member and 356 Speedster owner. “So is the case for this 1957 Porsche — an honest, original barn find that collectors and enthusiasts will sell their first-born for.”
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