You may think if you have a Porsche 356 in the garage, you’ve reached one of the mountaintops of collector car ownership. And heck, you’re not far off, especially if it’s a Super 90 or Speedster. However, there’s a 356 that’s reserved for just the select few in the collector space, and that’s one of the earliest examples produced, otherwise known as the Reutter Cabriolet. This specimen is a 1952 model that also goes by the “Pre-A” designation, and these early production examples sport several cosmetic differences that set it apart from later 356s, such as the bent windshield and bumpers suited for the American market. Find the 356 here on eBay for $275,000.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Scott L. for the find. If you’re an air-cooled Porsche collector, a Pre-A is somewhat of a must-have in your collection. They are incredibly delicate cars. While the 356 was never particularly chiseled, the earliest cars like this one seemed fragile when compared to the later models. The seller is Beverly Hills Car Club, so of course, we don’t get much insight into the Porsche’s history file or whether it’s been previously restored. The condition appears to be excellent, but provenance is a big deal to buyers of a car like this. Is that original paint? Has the soft top been replaced? Is the engine numbers matching?
The interior is quite nice, sporting a sand beige interior that looks nearly new in terms of condition. The more I look at this 356, it seems increasingly likely it’s been restored, albeit an older refresh. The door jambs are quite lustrous, as is the door latch hardware. The seats and door panels obviously look spotless, and even the best unrestored cars show some evidence of use. The seller notes it retains its period-correct Telefunken radio, and that the car will come with its certificate of authenticity and Cardex report. Upon reviewing the COA, we at least learn this is not the factory color as it left the assembly line with Adria Blue paint.
The 1500 engine sports dual carburetors and the presentation is excellent. Obviously, any serious buyer for this car is calling the selling dealer for info about engine numbers and rebuild history. Given the color alteration, potential customers should expect some other “improvements” were made when it was restored or at least refreshed. Photos taken of the 356 on the lift show a floor pan in impeccable condition, which may indicate the pans were also replaced previously given almost every vintage air-cooled car seems to need at least that much bodywork. Overall, it’s hard to deny this is a very pretty example of a desirable early production 356. Is it a smart investment to strip this Pre-A to bare metal and restore it to its original color?
Pre A, schmre A, it’s a bathtub. Odd how great cars like Nash and Packard got named “bathtubs”, when this, what I consider the ORIGINAL “bathtub”, gets no mention. I know, my views on bathtub Porsches always meets opposition, but what a goony looking car, and 1/4 mil? I never apologize, but I’m sorry, I just don’t see the value here. The Karmann-Ghia has more charm, for an nth the cost and I wouldn’t be afraid to park the K-G, with no fears it would be gone in 60 seconds, or less. What is it with these types of cars that is appealing? It’s certainly not for its mechanical wizardry, it’s a freakin’ VW, for crying out loud. You going to actually drive this thing with whats out there today for drivers? Put a velvet rope around it and boast to your other millionaire buddies? Think of all the dirt cheap full classics that could buy, like that Franklin, THAT’S an automobile, my friends. “The things they think are precious, I can’t understand”.
10 points for the Steely Dan reference, Howard!
Drive one. You might just change your mind. I had a 55 Speedster and a 62 356B. Special cars to drive and turned heads.
Hi Fred, obviously, not withstanding the actual driving one, although how different could it be? HUNDREDS of thousands better? It’s an opposed 4 cylinder, of so-so performance, swing arm suspension, a non synchro 1st, 4 speed , it’s not much more than a VW, really. If for no other reason that it’s a “Porsche”, by that logic, the Porsche farm tractor should garner 6 figures as well and please don’t say they do,,
You don’t have to like any car ever built right up to the present day but ignoring automotive history doesn’t make sense. Automobiles go as far back as the late 1800s and developed into what we have today. First editions of any car developed in the 1900s were simple in design and mechanical areas. Model T morfs into the Model A, then the Model B then the late ’30s. Porsche did the same thing using what was left of their manufacturing capability after the war. And where are they now…..?
I didn’t catch the Steely Dan reference, but didn’t Frank Zappa sing about the Telefunken radio ?
leiniedude, FZ referenced (Actually it was a groupie “on the bus”) a Telefunken U47 microphone in one of the tunes from “Joe’s Garage”. With Leather.
Thanks for the heads up 370zpp! Time to go to you tube.
My father purchased a Speedster brand new before us kids were born. He referred to it as having an “upside down bathtub body”.
Agree with Howard. OK there’s a seat for every butt but I just don’t get the stupid money that chases these cars. It’s a jelly bean design with a VW engine. Porsche made better looking tank designs than this. I wouldn’t give this thing air in a bag. OK rant over.
Such misinformed negativity. I love VW’s..own 2..I love Porsches..own 2. VW’s and Porsches of this era are very different cars.I’m not going to fight..but drive one and then knock it …come to Sonoma and I’ll give you a spin in my 56…
You are so correct. Unless you have owned them and/or driven them you can’t appreciate how great a car those Speedsters and 356s really are. Great great memories for me during the 60s. As an old man I wish I had kept them both.
Dear Malcolm Boyes — guys with opinions like that are immune to enlightenment. Don´t waste your time and always remember : To each his own.
I was born a car nut and at age ten, I was smitten with the ’57 Plymouths and Fords. I didn’t like the Chevy until a neighbor got one in black, and I could see what all the fuss was about. Trick or Treating, a woman begged us not to soap her cars, a pair of 356’s. I wondered why she was so concerned about her cheap, ugly cars from the forties!
And then there’s Gerard Frederick………..
Makes as much sense as a 10,000 dollar bottle of wine.
I agree with Howard and Lance.
I had a 61 Corvette for years. It was fun off the straight line but scary in the curves and when braking. I own a 60 356 Cab that is fairly slow off the line but great in the curves and braking (for that time). I was amazed at the differences in the two cars from basically the same year. Porsches are very fun to drive
The problem is that they are no longer cars;
THEY ARE COLLECTABLE IKONS
When you pay $275,000 are you
-going to leave it in the supermarket parking lot?
-Drive in the rain?
-wash it after every drive?
If you wanted to impress your friends, get a Ferrari
At this price point, one dent could reduce value by $50,000
SO
If everyone liked vanilla, Hershey would be out of business
As always we have the usual suspects whining about cars they never drove or remotely have a clue about. Must be a combination of jealousy and ignorance.