This 1957 Porsche Speedster is a low-mileage specimen that’s enjoyed a colorful history at the hands of amateur racers and Porsche collectors alike. It’s lacking several key original details, such as its matching-numbers engine, but the clear lineage of owners who have steadfastly done what’s necessary to keep the roadster on the road tends to mitigate the changes under the hood. Today, the body and chassis reflects the low-mileage reading on the odometer, as the cosmetics are quite sharp and the floors appear perfect. Find it here on eBay with a suggested opening bid of $220K and no action yet.
The Speedster has traded hands a few times through the years, and the seller has done an impressive job of documenting the key chapters and highlights while in the hands of different owners. The Speedster has won the Midwest SCCA championship; had its paintwork changed from white to red; seen its original engine swapped into a VW Bus, which later “blew up”; been in a fender-bender (as seen here); had a Super 90 engine swapped in in place of the original; an more anecdotes that point to being in the care of owners all of its life that were seemingly committed to keeping it on the road.
At one point, one of those owners owned it a second time, swapping a Porsche 914-6 for the privilege of owning it twice. Along the way, it received a roll bar and also saw its Rudge knock-off wheels tossed in favor of a set of chrome wheels with “Baby Moon”-style hubcaps. The headlight grill guards and wood-rimmed steering wheel were installed around the same time, and remain affixed today. Overall, this Speedster has a pleasing vibe of sporting some classic in-period modifications that don’t offend sensibilities today, given they are keeping with tastes of the time. Factory Speedster seats remain in a great shape.
The current engine is a 1600 that is described as being low mileage and all-original. The Super 90 mil that was under the hood was unfortunately over-revved, and it seems like this Speedster just wasn’t meant to live with the same engine for more than a few years. Regardless, a 1600 is still in keeping with the Speedster’s original concept, and it’d be interesting to see is the current mill is at least the correct date code for when the car was built. While the opening bid will likely scare some potential bidders away, it’s still likely to spark conversation among those buyers shopping for an original Speedster.
A 4 cam engine speedster is worth 220,000.00 or more. This is worth at most 100,000.00+ with out matching number engine. I owned a 57 way back when they were worth 2500.00. A friend sold his 57 with matching numbers in concourse condition for 145,000 about 2 yrs ago.
What does that say about America when a 60 year old car is worth more then the average house (that many young people can’t possibly afford)?
It says we live in a country where people that have worked hard can choose to spend their money on whatever makes them happy. Its nobody’s business but theirs what they buy and for how much. The peanut gallery on this site seems to never learned that lesson.
Steve R
Steve, but what about those poor people who make license plates for 30 cents an hour, do you think that is fair? Will you? Economic justice is situational, depends on perspective. Never-the-less, never said this was a bad car.
SMDA, I see you are using a new name with same tired rhetoric. How many different user names have you used, 5 maybe 6? What’s up with that?
Steve R
Steve R, You are so right. Maybe I should get a bottle of good stuff and hit the road. What do ya say, want to come along?
“A bottle of good stuff” ? You got Purel?
In 1969, before I left for Vietnam Nam ,I sold one of these for $1200.
In 1982 I stored my ’39 Pontiac coupe in a barn in Germantown WI next to a ’57 Speedster. When taking the cars out in the spring, the Speedster owner offered to swap cars or sell me his for $1500. I looked over the Speedster, noticed it had plywood floors, started laughing and walked away. I’m not laughing anymore…
While in CA as a young man, a friend bought a ’58 Speedster for $100. It was fun to drive even tho it had no shocks and featured a Volkswagen engine. Later, I owned several 356 Porsches: nothing drives like them but are now WAY overpriced..
The “baby moons” are stock 356 hub caps from the factory. We paid $250 for our first Speedster and $1,600 for the second with two extra engines and the original close ratio transmission. The times they did change.
Sure is a beauty, but with the non original mill and having been hit, will that affect the price?? Seller says that its concours ready, but will the non matching numbers affect that? Guess the sale price will set the value. Good luck to the new owner! You guys think its worth the ask?
Cheers
GPC
With most comments about price, I will not mention I bought a white one off a used car lot in 1984 for $600.
It was original, but had a VW 1900 watercooled boxer motor fitted. The radiator was mounted on top of the motor, but under the lid.
The car ran like clockwork, and after 2 years I swapped it for a ex- works Toyota Rally car.
Thinking back, she was a very quick sleeper running a 14.1 sec quarter.