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This smart Porsche 356 recently arrived for roll cage fitment: part of its preparation for long distance rallying and sport touring driving events. Imported from the USA, it’s a very clean example with no rust to speak of. Finished in black, the bodywork is very original and the car should make a great little competitor.
Porsche 356 early competition history
People unfamiliar with Porsche history are sometimes inclined to dismiss the 356 as a pretty little car from the 1950s, but that does a disservice to its competition heritage. The 356 was Porsche’s first proper production car and it enjoyed a successful motorsport career in period.
In 1951, the 356 became the first Porsche to be raced at Le Mans. Two 1086cc 356 SL coupes were built for the race, with the car of Veuillet/Mouche coming home twentieth overall and taking a class victory. The 356 took another class victory by coming home third overall in the Rome-Liege-Rome rally and set several endurance speed records at Montlhéry Autodrome in Paris.
The following year, three 356s were sent to Le Mans, claiming another class victory. Two 1500cc 356s were also despatched to Mexico for the Carrera Panamericana, with the 356 Cabriolet driven by Prince Metternich of Germany coming home eighth overall. The prince would go on to become president of ADAC and the FIA.
Over sixty years later, the 356 remains a cornerstone of this famous Mexican road race. We recently supported the 1956 Porsche 356A of Renée Brinkerhoff on the 2018 Carrera and are assisting Team Valkyrie Racing in its ambition to race the 356 on all seven continents of the world. We have also helped to prepare the 356 Super 90 GT of Richard Cook for competitive touring events like the 2018 Modena Cento Ore.
Our latest 356 project is being prepared to join a busy Porsche stable that rallies and races all over the world. As long as classic Porsches are raced, building 356s for epic adventures will be a big part of our workload.
