1959 Porsche 356A Carrera 1600 GT Speedster
Presentation
This 1959 Porsche 356A GT Speedster was completed on June 19, 1959 and is said to be one of 31 examples built for the model year, all of which were completed in lightweight GT specification with aluminum doors and lids. Chassis 84945 is reportedly one of 14 to have come from the factory with a 1.6L Type 692/3 plain-bearing, four-cam flat-four. Finished in Silver Metallic, the car was delivered new through Hoffman of New York and raced throughout the 1960s by an owner in Maryland, reportedly receiving a regional SCCA championship in 1969. The car traded hands between owners in Alaska, Ohio, and Connecticut before being acquired by the current owner in 2015, and subsequent bare-metal restoration work was carried out over the next four years, including a repaint, body work, and a rebuild of the replacement engine. Following completion of the work, the car received a Best in Class award at the 2021 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance along with an Honorary Judges award at the 2022 Poconos Porsche Parade. This Speedster is now offered by the seller on behalf of the current owner in Pennsylvania as part of the 1-2-3 4-Cams Collection by Garage44, with a copy of the Kardex, the owner’s manual, a tool kit, judging sheets, and a clean New Jersey title in the owner’s name.
Introduced in 1955, the Carrera variant offered power from a derivation of the four-cam engine designed by Dr. Ernst Fuhrmann for use in Porsche’s competition efforts. In 1957, the Carrera offerings were divided into the GT and GS models for coupe, cabriolet, or Speedster body styles. As the track-focused variant, the Carrera GT featured:
This Speedster example came finished from the factory in Silver Metallic (5706/608) and was stripped to bare metal and repainted following the completion of body work by Tom Caruso of Contour Metal Shaping. Details include a roll bar, a black soft top, removable side curtains, gold Carrera badging, aluminum bumper trim, and a single center-exit Sebring exhaust. Blemishes are shown up close in the gallery.
The 15″ wheels incorporate steel centers mated to aluminum rims and were mounted with 165VR15 Michelin XAS tires in May 2026. Braking is via GT specification 60mm vented drums in the front and 40mm drums in the rear, and Koni shocks are installed.
The fixed-back aluminum bucket seats have been reupholstered in black leather, and interior appointments include pebble-grain vinyl front coverings, a passenger-side grab handle, and a body-color painted dashboard.
The wood-rimmed VDM steering wheel frames a central 8k-rpm tachometer, a 160-mph speedometer, and a combination gauge monitoring oil temperature and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows 42k miles, approximately 250 of which were added under current ownership.
Seller Video
Bids & Comments
986guy 0
Sep 16, 2026 · 17:41
This is one stunning Speedster and I had the pleasure of viewing it during preparation for the 2022 Parade Concours. It was beautifully restored and deserved the awards it received. Our 1958 Speedster was entered in the Preparation Class by my wife and was driven to the event but not subjected to the same scrutiny by the judges. However, it received 1st Place in its class and the same unique trophy as the 1959 Carrera Speedster. Given the fact that our Speedster is a driver we might entertain offers of about 50% of what the featured Speedster will bring. Lol
Sep 16, 2026 · 16:57
Yeah, PCA Concours judges can be a piece of work. They took 0.2 points off my America Roadster in 2017 for "dust on the valve stem," after they specifically prohibiting dusting during an hour wait for re-judging. I have learned not to get over excited about concours since it's totally subjective, better for your heart . . .
Sep 16, 2026 · 13:55
Here is a closer look at the PCA judging sheets from the 2022 Parade Concours in the Poconos.
Chassis 84945 scored 295.1 out of 300 points and earned a Gmünd Award. More significantly, it received the sole Honorary Judges Award, selected by the judging panel as its favorite Porsche on the concours field.
The sheets are presented here along with a photograph of the car on display at the entrance to the awards dinner.
Several of the items noted by the judges, including the wheel finish and minor cosmetic issues, have since been corrected. I can also confirm that the 0.7 points’ worth of dust has been removed. ;-)
Chassis 84945 scored 295.1 out of 300 points and earned a Gmünd Award. More significantly, it received the sole Honorary Judges Award, selected by the judging panel as its favorite Porsche on the concours field.
The sheets are presented here along with a photograph of the car on display at the entrance to the awards dinner.
Several of the items noted by the judges, including the wheel finish and minor cosmetic issues, have since been corrected. I can also confirm that the 0.7 points’ worth of dust has been removed. ;-)
Sep 16, 2026 · 03:24
@FishinFanatic - Good question. The current owner acquired engine #95016 many years ago in another car that he no longer owns. He does not recall that car’s chassis number, but we are certain it was not 107274.
I was also able to trace some of the engine’s early factory history using the Springer and Heinrichs Carrera book. #95016 was initially installed at the factory in chassis 107411. This is the well-known Aquamarine Blue Carrera GT coupe known as the Swedish “Ice Racer.” The engine was removed the following day, however, and the Ice Racer left the factory with engine #95027. Even though it was only in the car for a day or so, it is a neat connection in the early history of #95016.
It was then installed in chassis 107274, a Silver Metallic Carrera GT coupe, and left the factory in that car on May 20, 1959. This car likely still exists today, as I found it on Kidston’s website under “Previously Handled.” https://kidston.com/motorcars/1113-1959-porsche-356-carrera-gt/
@TMskier - Thank you for your comment and for sharing your experience. The body and paint on this car are next level. “Crisp” is the word I would use to describe it. And then the engine just leaves people speechless. Jeff does remarkable work, and this is no exception. The build, sound, and performance are all fitting of how special this Speedster is.
@rbsloan11 - Good observation. Referencing the Sprenger/Heinrichs book again, the build records note “carpet” in the remarks section.
I was also able to trace some of the engine’s early factory history using the Springer and Heinrichs Carrera book. #95016 was initially installed at the factory in chassis 107411. This is the well-known Aquamarine Blue Carrera GT coupe known as the Swedish “Ice Racer.” The engine was removed the following day, however, and the Ice Racer left the factory with engine #95027. Even though it was only in the car for a day or so, it is a neat connection in the early history of #95016.
It was then installed in chassis 107274, a Silver Metallic Carrera GT coupe, and left the factory in that car on May 20, 1959. This car likely still exists today, as I found it on Kidston’s website under “Previously Handled.” https://kidston.com/motorcars/1113-1959-porsche-356-carrera-gt/
@TMskier - Thank you for your comment and for sharing your experience. The body and paint on this car are next level. “Crisp” is the word I would use to describe it. And then the engine just leaves people speechless. Jeff does remarkable work, and this is no exception. The build, sound, and performance are all fitting of how special this Speedster is.
@rbsloan11 - Good observation. Referencing the Sprenger/Heinrichs book again, the build records note “carpet” in the remarks section.
Sep 15, 2026 · 23:53
Just watched the driving video and I have to say what an absolutely beautiful car and an intoxicating engine note. Can't believe the owner is willing to get rid of three such beautiful cars.
Sep 15, 2026 · 23:53
I have seen this car in person, and it looks to be well done. I live close the body shop; Tommy Caruso is a world class metal shaper. Jeff Adams did the type 547 4-cam GT engine in my Carrera GT Speedster, which now has about 750 miles on it. I drove it about 80 miles today and it runs perfectly! This GT seems to be an excellent example. Good luck with the sale!! Tom Miller
Sep 15, 2026 · 21:02
@garage44: can we get more info on how the seller came into owning #95016 and any history on it?
Sep 15, 2026 · 20:37
For those of you who do not recognize Myron Vernis, he has the foremost collection of unusual Porsches and esoteric cars, assembled carefully over many years. Happily, he often shows his cars so the rest of us get to appreciate them.
Sep 15, 2026 · 19:36
Of the 100 or so 356s I’ve owned in my life, I’ve only had one Carrera Speedster. Compared to this car, it was a relatively pedestrian 1956 GS but it was still one of the most memorable cars I’ve ever driven. The ‘59 GT is the Holy Grail of Speedsters and Porsche four cams. If you have any interest in this car, I would suggest selling everything and mortgaging your house to make it happen. You won’t regret it.
Sep 15, 2026 · 17:48
Thank you for the bid @fourcamspezi
@Monzapolis Unfortunately, we do not have any period racing photographs of chassis 84945. The strongest surviving period evidence is Ernie Stalder’s advertisement in the June 1971 issue of Porsche Panorama. The advertisement (seen below) identifies the car by chassis number and describes it as the “1969 SCCA regional CP championship car,” along with detailing its extensive competition preparation. $3,800 or make offer. RacingSportsCars.com also lists Stalder competing in Porsche 356s during 1964, 1965, 1968, and 1969, using car numbers 11, 17, 1, and 74. But in fairness, those records are incomplete and do not identify chassis numbers. @jvirginis - The body color from the factory was Silver Metallic, but I came across information during my research suggesting that the car may have been red at in the 1980's. Interestingly, the advertisement mentions “new paint,” so if a color change occurred, it may have taken place around that time. *The copy of June 1971 Panorama pictured here is included with the car.
@Monzapolis Unfortunately, we do not have any period racing photographs of chassis 84945. The strongest surviving period evidence is Ernie Stalder’s advertisement in the June 1971 issue of Porsche Panorama. The advertisement (seen below) identifies the car by chassis number and describes it as the “1969 SCCA regional CP championship car,” along with detailing its extensive competition preparation. $3,800 or make offer. RacingSportsCars.com also lists Stalder competing in Porsche 356s during 1964, 1965, 1968, and 1969, using car numbers 11, 17, 1, and 74. But in fairness, those records are incomplete and do not identify chassis numbers. @jvirginis - The body color from the factory was Silver Metallic, but I came across information during my research suggesting that the car may have been red at in the 1980's. Interestingly, the advertisement mentions “new paint,” so if a color change occurred, it may have taken place around that time. *The copy of June 1971 Panorama pictured here is included with the car.
Sep 15, 2026 · 17:44
@Jvirginis if you are asking about body color, per the Kardex car was silver
Sep 15, 2026 · 17:28
Beautiful. A small detail - but wouldn’t this have come from the factory with vinyl covered interior panels rather than carpet.
Sep 15, 2026 · 16:44
Do you know what color it was ?
Sep 15, 2026 · 16:31
@sliproc Good question. Jaguar was early to the disc brake family and Porsche was late. But, as any good Porsche mechanic will tell you the drum brakes work very well if in spec and properly adjusted. What they are not is easy to maintain - discs win big there. Also, Porsche put 60mm front drum brakes on their race cars including this GT Carrera. 40mms were standard all around and on the rear of the race cars. Porsche moved to their own design so-called "annular" disc brakes in 1962 and then in 1964 ATE discs copied and built on license from Dunlop (aka Jaguar disc brakes).
Sep 15, 2026 · 15:35
Can you post some period photos of the car when raced? Thank you.
Sep 15, 2026 · 15:09
Seems what we have here is The Holy Grail: a brand new Carrera, and a classic Porsche with the history to prove it. Trifecta.
Sep 15, 2026 · 15:05
I don't know what the big mystery is about the disappearance of the original motor from the history it looks like the car was raced for about 10 years given that I'd be more surprised if the original motor was still with the car. It sounds like the owners have done a scrupulous job sourcing original replacement parts. One thing I find puzzling, this was state of the art for Porsche performance in '59 and yet they were still using drum brakes!
fourcamspezi
Bid
Sep 15, 2026 · 14:43
Bid in the amount of $250,000
Sep 15, 2026 · 13:58
The greatest driving video ever
Sep 15, 2026 · 13:31
Chassis 84945 made its first judged concours appearance following restoration at the 2021 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, where it was awarded Best in Class - Post-War Sports German. Here are some photographs showing the Speedster on the field and receiving its award.
Sep 15, 2026 · 13:10
Thank you to everyone for a great day 1 of the auction.
Also thank you for chiming in @VicSkirmants and you are 100% right about the welding vs rivets. My mistake. We appreciate you adding another piece to the history of chassis 84945. When the current owner acquired the car in 2015, it had a Type 644 transaxle installed, presumably the same unit you rebuilt.
Since the Type 644 was not correct for a 1959 Carrera GT, the owner and Jeff Adams worked diligently to source a correct Type 716 to mate to the 692/3 going back in the car.
The transaxle currently installed in the car is #27605, a Type 716/1 Carrera GT only variant with a proper 1959 date code that predates the car’s completion. Since the Type 716 was essentially a single-model-year gearbox, these units are very scarce given the fact that only ~65 Carrera GT coupes and Speedsters were produced for 1959.
Once it was in his hands, Jeff Adams rebuilt and assembled it with the BBAA gear stack and standard 7:31 ring-and-pinion specified in Porsche’s little specification book.
This is another example of the lengths that were taken to make this very important GT Speedster as accurate as possible.
The page from the Porsche Spec book is shown here along with the stampings on the transmission.
Also thank you for chiming in @VicSkirmants and you are 100% right about the welding vs rivets. My mistake. We appreciate you adding another piece to the history of chassis 84945. When the current owner acquired the car in 2015, it had a Type 644 transaxle installed, presumably the same unit you rebuilt.
Since the Type 644 was not correct for a 1959 Carrera GT, the owner and Jeff Adams worked diligently to source a correct Type 716 to mate to the 692/3 going back in the car.
The transaxle currently installed in the car is #27605, a Type 716/1 Carrera GT only variant with a proper 1959 date code that predates the car’s completion. Since the Type 716 was essentially a single-model-year gearbox, these units are very scarce given the fact that only ~65 Carrera GT coupes and Speedsters were produced for 1959.
Once it was in his hands, Jeff Adams rebuilt and assembled it with the BBAA gear stack and standard 7:31 ring-and-pinion specified in Porsche’s little specification book.
This is another example of the lengths that were taken to make this very important GT Speedster as accurate as possible.
The page from the Porsche Spec book is shown here along with the stampings on the transmission.
Sep 15, 2026 · 13:08
OMG ! WHOA ! nuf said .
Sep 15, 2026 · 11:48
@seller The aluminum rim and steel center were riveted together because you can't weld aluminum to steel; NOT for weight saving.
Sep 15, 2026 · 05:05
The absolutely only thing that would make this auction better is if they were "No Reserve".
Sep 15, 2026 · 01:46
@SHUSTER1313 - No, it does not require a 10 minute warm-up every time it is driven, but an engine of this value and significance does require responsible stewardship especially from me, who doesn't own it. ;-)
For the video, we deliberately brought the engine to full operating temperature before driving it in the 3,000-to-5,000-rpm range. Like any race engine, it should not be operated hard while cold. A car stored outside in freezing temperatures would naturally require more time to warm. How much longer? I honestly don’t know, as I have never encountered those conditions with one of these four-cams.
For the video, we deliberately brought the engine to full operating temperature before driving it in the 3,000-to-5,000-rpm range. Like any race engine, it should not be operated hard while cold. A car stored outside in freezing temperatures would naturally require more time to warm. How much longer? I honestly don’t know, as I have never encountered those conditions with one of these four-cams.
Sep 15, 2026 · 00:47
Good job with the video and very nice GT.
Sep 14, 2026 · 23:56
I’m cashing in my 401k to buy all three. Instantly have one of the best car collections in the world. Ha
Sep 14, 2026 · 23:56
Does this vehicle require the 10 minute warm-up ritual as shown in the video anytime you want to go for a drive? If that is the case, during the winter with freezing temperatures that time frame might be how long?
Sep 14, 2026 · 21:19
Good question @spyderman2. Yes, all five wheels are the correct alloy-steel wheels and photos of the front & back of each are included in this comment. For additional weight savings, the alloy rim and steel centers were riveted together rather than welded. If you zoom in on the back side, you can see the rivets. The date codes on the four wheels currently on the car are not very legible due to refinishing, but the spare shows a clearly visible 10/58 date code. @classicbeats @prs - Thank you, and you’re welcome. Getting to put 84945 through its paces was one of the more enjoyable things I’ve ever gotten to call work.
Sep 14, 2026 · 20:01
Great test drive video with 4 cam engine singing along through the field of dreams...had to laugh at the 35MPH sign...this is a museum piece you can drive daily (semi-annually?)
Sep 14, 2026 · 19:49
Does it have the original and dated alloy-steel wheels ?
Sep 14, 2026 · 19:21
This will be exciting! What a beautiful car with some nice touches. Looking forward to seeing the results.
Sep 14, 2026 · 19:20
Android356
Sep 14, 2026 · 19:20
@prs - Good timing. I just uploaded this video to Youtube. It's a brief introduction and walk around of the car, cold start procedure, and perhaps most importantly some driving footage.
Thank you for the early bids @dhessmobile123 @MaikoR @ducrcr @tdel911
Thank you for the early bids @dhessmobile123 @MaikoR @ducrcr @tdel911
dhessmobile123
Bid
Sep 14, 2026 · 19:05
Bid in the amount of $136,500
Sep 14, 2026 · 18:53
It would be nice to see a driving video. Thanks.
Sep 14, 2026 · 18:14
Skirmants is and has been for forty years THE BEST on Porsche gearboxes. Vic built all my racing boxes for years.
Sep 14, 2026 · 18:08
Here is video of our compression and leak down tests.
Sep 14, 2026 · 18:04
Thanks for the question @RGDelagi. Like many four-cam cars, there is no record of exactly when or why the original engine (#95017) was separated from 84945. A June 1971 Porsche Panorama classified ad for the car describes it as being fitted at that time with a 1600cc Spyder engine with a roller crank, indicating that the original engine had already been separated from the car by then. When the current owner purchased 84945 in 2015, it was fitted with engine #91030, a 1500cc Type 692/0 roller-bearing unit. He immediately realized that he already owned engine #95016, just one digit away from the original engine. More importantly, #95016 is the correct Type 692/3 plain-bearing four-cam, of which only 84 were ever produced, making it as close as possible to the original engine without actually being the numbers matching unit. Jeff Adams at Speedsport Tuning rebuilt #95016 and upgraded it to 692/3A specification using the Porsche Factory Carrera manuals. The accompanying graphic outlines the most significant 692/3-to-692/3A changes, and commonly published figures indicate a 20+ hp increase with the Sebring exhaust fitted. The engine rebuild was completed in early 2020, and the engine has accumulated approximately 250 miles since then. It runs very strongly, with compression readings of 190–195 psi and 1–2% leak-down. I’ll also be posting a video showing the compression and leak-down testing in the following comment. I hope that helps, and please don’t hesitate to ask if there are any additional questions.
Sep 14, 2026 · 17:16
Current transmission rebuilt by 356 Enterprises in April 2003.
Sep 14, 2026 · 16:47
Please help me understand more about the engine replacement. I understand it is only one number off the manufacturing sequence but, bottom line, it isn’t a numbers matching car. Can you explain when and why was it replaced?
MaikoR
Bid
Sep 14, 2026 · 16:40
Bid in the amount of $100,000
Sep 14, 2026 · 16:34
Wow!
ducrcr
Bid
Sep 14, 2026 · 16:27
Bid in the amount of $35,600
Sep 14, 2026 · 16:24
This is an absolute blue-chip Porsche royalty. Dual overhead cams, dual spark plugs per cylinder, and velocity stacks singing out of a Sebring exhaust... it’s less of a classic car and more of an engine-builder's masterpiece with a lightweight body draped over it.
tdel911
Bid
Sep 14, 2026 · 16:20
Bid in the amount of $356
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