1958 Porsche 356A Speedster

The 356 Speedster was originally introduced by Porsche in 1954 after Max Hoffman, their celebrated US importer, encouraged them to produce a cheaper model to compete with the more prevalent British sports cars.  The Speedster’s design was much simplified which not only reduced cost but also made it lighter and more dynamic to drive.

Just over 4,800 Speedsters were made in a production run that lasted 5 years.  The 1958 model year Type 2 Speedsters (of which around 1,100 were produced) are highly sought after.  They benefitted from a number of improvements to the gearbox, clutch and steering which made them easier and more pleasant to drive.

This car was one of the last 356A Speedsters produced & delivered new to Fulda, Germany on 18 April 1958 to Mr H. P. Cochran, an American lieutenant stationed in Germany from his home state of Maryland. Mr Cochran soon returned home to American and sold the car to its second owner, Mr Edward L. Rogers, whose family owned and enjoyed using the car for over 50 years.

The next owner, in Europe, remarkably managed to locate the original engine in Los Angeles, reuniting the car and engine together some 50 years after they had been separated, and then sold the car to be fully restored over 2 years by Stace in Belgium. The current owner sent the car for some further detailing, implemented by the Sportwagen metal and paint shop at Southend-on-Sea.