Recently Sold Recently Sold

1962 Porsche 356 B Coupe

Recently Sold

Recently Sold

chassis number: 211635
engine number: 703761
exterior colour: Ivory
interior colour: black
mileage: 94,521

extremely usable restored example of the 356 coupe
fully restored by respected British trimmer, O’Rourke
matching numbers engine and gearbox
interior trimmed beautifully and simply
ready to use and enjoy

details

This 1600S, chassis 2112635, was originally sold to the USA and was specified in Ivory with a black interior. Being a 1600S, the car benefits from a more powerful 75bhp engine (15bhp more than standard), achieved with the use of a higher compression ratio, modified carburettors and sportier camshafts.

After spending over half a century in the USA, the car was imported to the UK by Ian Donaldson of Oakfields in December 2013. The car was subsequently bought and restored as a personal passion project by one of Britain’s most respected car restorers, Robert “Rorky” O’Rourke of O’Rourke Coachtrimmers.

The car was stripped to a bare shell by Carrozerria in Maidenhead before being painted by one of O’Rourke’s regular suppliers, JC Auto Finishers Ltd. The original matching numbers engine and gearbox were rebuilt with the input of Roger Bray with Rorky of course retrimming the interior.

The car was sold via Sports Purpose in 2022 to its current owner, a discerning and exacting 356 enthusiast, who has invested further in the car. He has enjoyed improving various mechanical and cosmetic aspects, including the brake system, exhaust, speakers and stereo and replacing the wheels. The car was last serviced by JAZ Porsche in April 2023.

chassis number: 211635
engine number: 703761
exterior colour: Ivory
interior colour: black
mileage: 94,521

extremely usable restored example of the 356 coupe
fully restored by respected British trimmer, O’Rourke
matching numbers engine and gearbox
interior trimmed beautifully and simply
ready to use and enjoy

In a world of such high classic car values, so much capability and charm in one car is unusual at this price point.

Our thoughts

When you think about it, there are only a handful of classic cars that both Mr and Mrs Collector equally approve of and the Porsche 356 is firmly one of these. We have always been fans of 356s and the improvement in driveability that the B has over earlier models is noticeable.

While we are fortunate to have such a great variety of 356s for sale with us at the moment, in many ways this B embodies what is so great about them all: pretty but not showy to look at from every angle and easy to drive, with light but surprisingly accurate steering and relatively modern road manners overall.

O’Rourke, for good reason, are regarded as one the very best coachtrimmers in the business and, while they are more typically known for working on rare and valuable Ferrari cars, the quality of the trim in this 356 is outstanding, an element of car restorations that is so often left as a decreasing line item in a restoration on a tight budget. As it is where you spend much of your time with the car, it makes more sense to us to spend more in this area.

The recent improvements made by the current owner are tangible and the car’s next owner will no doubt benefit from the significant amount of thought that has gone into enhancing and preserving the originality and drivability of this fun and good value little car.

In a world of such high classic car values, so much capability and charm in one car is unusual at this price point. We have always enjoyed having Rorky’s dream car around and look forward to finding the next enthusiast to enjoy it, as intended.