1959 Porsche 356A Convertible D
Presentation
This 1959 Porsche 356A Convertible D is one of approximately 1,331 examples manufactured during a single year of production and underwent a refurbishment between 1998 and 2001. The car is powered by a replacement 1.6-liter flat-four paired with a four-speed manual transaxle and has been refinished in Ivory over red leather. Features include a black soft top, 15″ ventilated steel wheels, an AM/FM radio with an auxiliary input, and a Nardi steering wheel. It was acquired by the current owner in 2023 and reportedly received a first in class award at the 2023 Niello Concours at Serrano. This 356A Convertible D is now offered on dealer consignment with a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, a tool kit, a tonneau cover, a car cover, the owner’s manual, service records, and a clean California title.
Convertible D models were produced between 1958 and 1959 with coachwork contracted to Karosseriewerke Drauz in Heilbronn, Germany, hence the “D” model designation. All 1,331 were sold as 1959 models, and notable differentiations included roll-up side windows and a windshield that was 3″ taller than the Speedster’s. This example came finished from the factory in Ruby Red and was repainted in Ivory during the aforementioned refurbishment in the late 1990s, which involved media blasting and metal repairs. The black soft top is shown above.
The 15″ ventilated chrome steel wheels wear chrome hubcaps and were mounted with Kumho tires in 2017. The car was factory equipped with drum brakes at each corner, and the brake fluid was flushed in 2023.
The fixed-back bucket seats were reupholstered in red leather during the refurbishment, and replacement squareweave carpets were installed. Three-point seatbelts have been added, and the Blaupunkt AM/FM radio has been modified with an auxiliary input.
The wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel frames VDO instrumentation consisting of a central 6k-rpm tachometer, a 120-mph speedometer, and a combination gauge monitoring oil temperature and fuel level. The five-digit odometer was reset to zero at the time of the refurbishment and now shows 6k miles. Total mileage is unknown.
The replacement 1.6-liter 616/15 flat-four was sourced from a 1964 356C and rebuilt in 2000. The battery was replaced and an oil change performed in 2023.
Seller Video
Bids & Comments
PeteyJ 767
Bid
Oct 1, 2026 · 16:55
Bid in the amount of $10,000
FantasyJunction (The Seller)
Oct 1, 2026 · 14:48
@VicSkirmants extra points for the win! Right you are. 77605 is the correct transmission number. We should have caught that as well. Thanks for sharing that.
Oct 1, 2026 · 06:53
A friend just called to tell me the trans number is up-side down! It's 77605; I should have caught that.
FredMI
Bid
Oct 1, 2026 · 04:47
Bid in the amount of $9,000
Sep 30, 2026 · 18:34
@Seller As I said; #90944 makes no sense. Numbers did not go above 87xxx. April 1964 numbers would be 77xxx to 78xxx.
FantasyJunction (The Seller)
Sep 28, 2026 · 15:13
Thank you for the comments and opening bids on this beautiful Convertible D. For those interested in the numbers here is the breakdown of the CoA factory built numbers and the ones currently in the car:
Engine Number – 710747 (installed)
Original Engine – 73193 (Per CoA)
Gearbox Number – 90944 (installed)
Gearbox Number – 23410 (Per CoA)
@Okjab it's always a possibility that the original engine can be found, but the current owner does not have information about where it might be. @VicSkirmants the gearbox stamping (44 741/2 C) corresponds to a 4-speed manual transaxle based on our research. A comprehensive restoration was performed on this car to a very high level and it shows when viewing it in person. Lots of time perfecting finishes and maintaining factory details but not overdoing it as is sometimes the case when finishes are too glossy or polished. This Porsche is located at our Emeryville, CA showroom where it can be viewed in person or scheduled for a PPI using the "contact seller" button to reach us directly. The button is located at the top of this auction. Much more to share about the history and restoration on this 356. We will do our best to respond to all questions. Good luck to all bidders.
Engine Number – 710747 (installed)
Original Engine – 73193 (Per CoA)
Gearbox Number – 90944 (installed)
Gearbox Number – 23410 (Per CoA)
@Okjab it's always a possibility that the original engine can be found, but the current owner does not have information about where it might be. @VicSkirmants the gearbox stamping (44 741/2 C) corresponds to a 4-speed manual transaxle based on our research. A comprehensive restoration was performed on this car to a very high level and it shows when viewing it in person. Lots of time perfecting finishes and maintaining factory details but not overdoing it as is sometimes the case when finishes are too glossy or polished. This Porsche is located at our Emeryville, CA showroom where it can be viewed in person or scheduled for a PPI using the "contact seller" button to reach us directly. The button is located at the top of this auction. Much more to share about the history and restoration on this 356. We will do our best to respond to all questions. Good luck to all bidders.
Sep 28, 2026 · 08:56
Is there any chance the original engine can be located? Back in the 70's I bought a Convertible D w/o and engine for $150.00 and I had an Orange Speedster I think I bought for $2,500 that ran. Oh how things have changed. I like this D wished it was red.
Okjab
Bid
Sep 28, 2026 · 08:26
Bid in the amount of $8,000
Sep 27, 2026 · 07:36
Can't figure out that current trans number. It's an April 1964, but the serial number makes no sense.
PeteyJ
Bid
Sep 26, 2026 · 00:53
Bid in the amount of $7,500
russlasvegas
Bid
Sep 25, 2026 · 19:07
Bid in the amount of $6,000
PeteyJ
Bid
Sep 25, 2026 · 18:43
Bid in the amount of $5,000
Sep 25, 2026 · 17:31
Rarely see a 356 go red to ivory. Usually the opposite.
Sep 25, 2026 · 14:48
Beautiful
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