About this Porsche 356

The 356 was the creation of Ferdinand Porsche, who believed that mating a generously powered engine to a diminutively deft body would produce the ultimate “fun” driving car and the first 50 lightweight rear-wheel-drive, rear-engine sports cars were built by Austrian company Porsche Konstruktionen GesmbH in Gmünd, Austria between 1948 and1949. In 1950 production was moved to Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, next to the Reutter coachworks and the new German company Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche GmbH was set up.

The original aluminium body was replaced by a Reutter-built steel-shell in 1950 and he following year the 356 won its first Le Mans which launched the car into the motor racing hall of fame. The 'pre-A' - 1950-1955 and the 'A' series car 1955-1959 was replaced with the 'B' series in 1959 and production moved to the ‘C’ series in 1963.

The 356 was Porsche's first production car and it continued to be produced until April 1965, well after the replacement model - the Porsche 911 made its debut in September 1965. These were expensive cars from the beginning and they remain so today, with prices more than doubling in value during the past decade. Of the 78,000 Porsche 356's produced, approximately half still survive.

For the model year 1962 the 356B received its final major upgrade, to T6 specification. First seen at the Frankfurt Show in September 1961, the T6 coupé featured larger front and rear windows; an engine cover with two grilles; a larger bonnet; a fuel filler in the right-hand front wing (LHD cars only); and various minor mechanical upgrades.

According to the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, this lovely LHD Porsche 356B 1600 S Coupé - Chassis No: 210340 - Engine No: 702440 (616/12) and Gearbox No: 55551 (741/2A) is a 'Fully Matching Numbers' car and was built in Germany by Reutter on 30th May 1962 and exported to Florida in the USA.
It was first registered to its one and only owner in the USA - a Mr Jerry Wilkey of Miami, Florida on 24th October 1962 and he kept the car for 58 years until it was sold and exported to the UK in February 2020 (See Documents attached), and was first registered here in the UK on 1st June 2020 with the age related number plate: 557 XVK.

This is a very rare 'electric sunroof' model finished in its original specification and colour scheme of Ivory White (6204) with a Red Leatherette interior, Red carpets, its original 1600cc 75hp Engine, 4 Speed Manual Transmission and has an updated (Chrome London) Blaupunkt Frankfurt AM/FM Radio fitted in place of its original unit.

It is a very original and pretty much unrestored car in totally rust-free condition with an excellent bodyshell, lovely paintwork and chrome, its original leatherette interior and superb mechanics. We do not know very much about works undertaken in the USA, but it has naturally had some light restoration at some stage and since arriving in the UK it has has been fully serviced with many new parts including a brake overhaul, new 6 Volt electrics including refurbished instrumentation, a new Dynamo and uprated halogen bulbs. Both Carburettors have been overhauled and it has had a new set of Chrome Wheels fitted with the correct Michelin XZX
tyres. The speedometer is reading 47,576 Miles, but unfortunately we cannot confirm its original mileage from new.

It has just had a new MOT (although exempt) and upon sale the car will be given a pre-sales check-over and it will come with our own 6 Month Mechanical Warranty.

Car on display @ our showrooms in Mortlake, South West London.

NB: Classic Chrome Ltd make every effort to ensure that the information in this advertisement is accurate and all statements as to provenance and condition are given as opinions only. When describing any car that is more than 20 years old, we sometimes have to rely on the car’s history file and any information provided by the previous owner(s). This information in passed on in good faith and is therefore not purported to be a statement of fact. Any prospective purchaser must satisfy themselves as to the condition and fitness for use of the vehicle. This does not affect your statutory rights.