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Hard Top & Matching Numbers: 1957 Porsche Speedster

When it comes to Porsches, few cars are more universally accepted as being immensely collectible as the original 1957 Speedster is. Conceived as a stripped down, ultra-basic sports car designed to appeal to the most committed of enthusiasts, they were collector’s items not long after being introduced and coveted equally for use on the track and at car shows of distinction. Today, examples in almost every grade of condition fetch big money, and cars like this one here on eBay with most of its original equipment attached – including a rare hardtop – will set you back $208,500.

Listed by a dealer that needs no introduction, the price tag may shock you but it doesn’t surprise me. This is an incredibly honest example of a Speedster, one that apparently spend its life on the track. It almost has a sleeper vibe with the wheels painted blacks and hazy hubcaps left affixed. The body is a few different shades of maroon but I’m willing to bet it’d look far more consistent with a sympathetic detailing. The Speedster retains its soft- and hard tops, and its factory side curtains.

The Speedsters were distinctive for a few different reasons, including the cut-down windshield, soft top design, side curtains in place of traditional glass, and these awesome sport bucket seats. The seats alone will set you back several thousand dollars, but the only place they belong is in a car like this. The seller notes it comes with an OEM radio, which is one of the few luxuries the original owner sprung for, as even the tachometer was optional on the Speedster. Though a bit tatty, the interior is pleasingly intact and looks comfortable and welcoming as opposed to tired and gross.

The 1600 engine, believe it or not, is numbers matching. That’s another serious plus here and justification for the asking price. When you find a Speedster, it’s not uncommon for even fully restored cars to be lacking their numbers-matching mill, especially given the frequency with which they were used on the track. This car, with the original engine, both tops, tired but original interior, and a Porsche Production Specification Certificate & Kardex included, is simply one of the best kinds of cars to buy if you’re seeking an unrestored icon.

Comments

  1. Avatar Mr. Bond

    i think I could come up with the $8500. Only $200k short!

    Like 10
  2. Avatar Steve R

    These are beautiful cars.

    There is nothing in this ad which would lead someone to think this car spent its life on a race track.

    Steve R

    Like 5
  3. Avatar Todd Zuercher

    Curious how this place ended up with this car. They have a terrible reputation.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Weasel

      please enlighten me on the sellers terrible reputation. They’re an e-bay seller since 2008 with 100% positive feedback and over 300 rating. They seem to have some nice cars in inventory.

      Like 6
      • Avatar Doug C

        Yes, Weasel, they have a terrible reputation. They offer cars in terrible condition and tend not to be honest about the condition.On forum like BaT there are people who seem to know of problems with these folks.

        Like 7
      • Avatar Todd Zuercher

        Yes, I’ve read scores of comments about them over the years on BaT. That’s how I knew of their reputation and Jeff’s writeup hints at it.

        Like 5
      • Avatar KEVIN L HARPER

        OK I will try
        I have dealt with Alex at BHCC and Peter at Gullwing and they both have the same business model. I have never been able to buy from them, and I have never sold a car to them but I am apparently on their list of numbers to call.
        Here is their business model they pay way under what the car is worth and they sell for way more than the car is worth. There business is built for suckers and it is hard for me to wrap my head around that there are that many suckers. But they continue in business so I guess there are.
        If you find an interesting car that is at a reasonable price with a motivated seller don’t be surprised that one of these guys buys it right out from under you, and for a lot less than you would have paid for it. It is legal but it rubs enthusiast the wrong way.
        Also if you are going to buy a car from them it is best to look it over and expect the absolute worse, and while they may not flat out lie they absolutely do bend the truth to the absolute maximum. For example I looked at a car that was described as having “Knock off Borrani wheels” which I took as Borrani wheels with a center spinner knockoff. But upon closer inspection the wheels were fakes and not Borrani’s, their explanation was that the description was correct “Knock off” meant “Fake”. Technically this is correct but ethically it is not.

        Like 22
      • Avatar PRA4SNW

        Kevin, thanks for the first-hand commentary.
        I’ve always wondered about these guys. Their stuff is always priced ridiculously, yet they always seem to have inventory, so they are selling some stuff.

        What also surprises me is that someone like Wayne Carini will sometimes have them on his show. Just recently, he partnered with Peter Kumar on an original 300SL Gullwing garage find.

        Yes, Wayne is in the car-selling business too, but from what I see, he seems to be a legit guy.

        Like 3
    • Avatar JBD

      I was thinking maybe the Raymond Calitri (Gone in 60 seconds) Business model?

      Like 2
  4. Avatar Husky

    Perfect car for a 318 Poly swap 😬

    Like 6
  5. Avatar Tom c

    Only 208,500 , WOW what a deal , friggin joke .

    Like 9
    • Avatar JoeNYWF64

      If there were no badges on it, i would have thought it was an early Karmann Ghia test mule. lol

      Like 3
  6. Avatar Haig Haleblian

    Not a bad deal. Alex must be losing it.

    Like 2
  7. HoA Howard A Member

    I know there’s a big following for these, but I’m sorry, the styling just looks ridiculous, like someone squashed it flat, headlights bugging out. And how much? Good heavens, what’s the appeal here? I mean, $200g’s buys a lot of cool cars (and a house in the UP of Mich), apparently, I’m missing something with these.

    Like 11
    • Avatar Mr.BZ

      There is nothing like driving a Speedster or 356, but this one is 200K overpriced for my blood!

      Like 1
  8. Avatar Tempo Matador Ray

    Love the rawness of this speedster. I have logged many years of vintage, air-cooled stewardship onboard. Both mechanical as well as driving. The icing on the cake for this unit would have been a private negotiation with the existing owner before it was consigned to its present location…cool car nonetheless!

    Like 7
    • Avatar Mark Mitchell Member

      I owned a Tempo Matador pickup and still have a few brochures-

      Like 1
      • Avatar Tempo Matador Ray

        @Mark Mitchell,
        Hey Mark did you own one of the air-cooled units(1949-52)? I am restoring an early 1950 truck that spent it’s hard working days on a farm in Uruguay S.A. Would like to hear back from you on a separate email…take care.

        Like 0
  9. Avatar Scuderia

    If money were no object I’d love to have this body (interior and all) dropped on to a freshly restored chassis with a rob emory drive train.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Mark Member

      That would be rather difficult as these cars are unibody (no separate chassis)-

      Like 3
      • Avatar KEVIN L HARPER

        Yes and no.
        The 356 is considered a unibody but it is much different than a modern unibody. You can unbolt the body and drive the chassis around with no body on it. Very similar to an old beetle bug.

        Like 3
      • Avatar Scuderia

        True, just mean restore everything but the body…

        Like 0
      • Avatar rebeccca

        Can’t seem to reply directly to kevin harper but i happen to have an a coupe and a split beetle. you cannot unbolt a body from a 356 chassis.

        Like 2
  10. Avatar Jack Quantrill

    Madness! But, there probably is a buyer somewhere.

    Like 2
  11. Avatar jeff

    beautyful!

    Like 2
  12. Avatar Mike

    Buy it and don’t restore. If you restore it, people will assume it’s a kit car.

    Like 3
    • Avatar SMDA

      A kit car makes so much more sense, plus a more purist way to go.

      Like 1
  13. bobhess bobhess Member

    Kevin… Mark is right. No separate chassis. No bolts, just welds. Bottom side is also a different design than the Beetles.

    Like 2
  14. Avatar Haig Haleblian

    @Kevin Harper. Here’s my story. Apparently Alex has part time bird dogs trying to flush out deals. This guy comes into my flooring store acting as a customer. Wants to talk to me. Becomes readily apparent that he’s interested in my collection rather than flooring. I show him my collection since it’s in the warehouse attached to the showroom. Then it gets weird. He wants to buy more than a few pieces and he’s really pressing me for prices. Find it more than strange but I play along and throw out some numbers. “I’ll get back to you” Day later he shows up and offers bottom feeder numbers. “Who are you?” ” Oh I work for Alex Manos. He wants to talk to you.” “Alex huh? You have 15 seconds to get out of here before I call the cops.” My understanding is Kumar isn’t any better. I don’t know anything about Carini nor watch his garbage, but I put all those guys in the same steaming heap.

    Like 6
  15. Avatar Matt Jadud

    I agree with Doug and Kevin. I have observed some garbage listed by these guys at ridiculous prices.
    I have always been suspect of their listings.

    I think that they exemplify the doctrine of caveat emptor!

    matt

    Like 4
  16. Avatar Chen Lee

    As Grandpa used to say: “FOOLS AND THEIR MONEY, ARE SOON PARTED”.

    Like 2

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