Entry-level was owned by MG TC, TD and TF models. The next market notch was exemplified by Triumph TR-2s and TR-3s, followed by the Austin Healey and Jaguar XK120 and its derivatives. And from Germany came the Porsche 356 series of coupés and cabriolets. But the most interesting Porsche was a rakish version of the Cabriolet: the 356A Speedster.
The main visual difference between 356 Cabriolets and Speedsters was the Speedster's lower windshield. Also, it had a skimpier canvas top than the Cabriolet's, which had a traditional substantial German retractible top. Speedsters also featured a thin chrome strip along the side, though some Cabriolets had that too.
Being a roadster with a minimal top, Speedsters were not fully practical all-climate all-weather cars. But who cared? They were seriously sporty, and that's what mattered in the late 1950s and matters now for car collectors.
Gallery
Publicity photo of a 1955 356A Speedster.
Factory side vew.
Here is an advertisement by Hoffman, importer of Porsches to the USA.
Bonhams auction photo of a 1956 356A Speedster.
Front view of a 1957 Speedster via Bonhams, as are the next two images.
Rear view
Right side view.
Top-up right side view of a 1955 Speedster with its canvas top raised, Mecum auction photo.
Here is a for-sale 1959 Porsche 356 Convertible D for comparison. Note the taller windshield and the bulky German top.
Also for comparison is this image via RM Sothebey's of a 1956 356A Porsche Coupé.
In 1956 I went with a friend and coworker during our lunch hour to pick up his brand new Porsche 356A Speedster from the dealer. I'll never forget it sitting there new and pristine in stunning red paint with tan upholstery, a black top and those tiny peephole side curtains. They didn't matter, the top stowed easily and there we went, top down back to work.
ReplyDeleteWe were part of the sports car culture of the 1950s. I owned an 1956 Austin-Healey 100M LeMans at that time and later a Porsche 914 that I wrote about in comments of the July 7,2019 Retired Blowhard when you wrote about 'The Joys Of My Porsche 914'. Those were sweet times.
Check out those side windows with the top up. Take that, Camaro. Probably perfect for looking at the side trim on the Customline next to you in traffic. No year on the ad, but the price in 2020 dollars would be around $30K.
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