Complete Description
- Extremely rare and quick model, 15 cars built in 1955
- Extensive SCCA racing history in the USA
- Continuous history, substantial file
- Restored in accordance with its period specification
- Entered in the 2020 and 2025 Mille Miglia, and entered in the Mille Miglia register
This Porsche 356 is an especially rare version. The ‘basic’ Speedster was already highly exclusive: introduced in 1954 to meet the demands of American customers, it was stripped out and was lower, lighter and sportier than the standard 356, with the result that it quickly made a name for itself on track, especially in California with its sunny climate. To go further, Porsche decided to equip this model with the competition-based version of the air-cooled flat-four: developed by Ernst Fuhrmann, this had four overhead camshafts and twin carburettors. This Type 547/1 engine reputedly developed 110bhp, enabling the lightweight machine to exceed 190kph. Named the Carrera as a tribute to Porsche’s success in the Carrera Panamericana, it naturally worked a treat on track, where its agile handling was virtually unrivalled. Needless to say, this rare and quick model is one of the most sought-after Porsche 356s.
The Pre-A Carrera 1500 GS Speedster presented here is one of the first of its kind and among the 15 examples believed to have been built in 1955. According to its Kardex production card (available in the history file), it was transferred, completed, from the coachbuilder Reutter to Porsche in November 1955. Finished in white with a black leather interior, it was ready to be shipped on 4 January 1956 and was sent to the United States to the famous importer Max Hoffman, in New York. Hoffman probably used it for display purposes for a time before selling it to Sweeney British Cars, who in turn sold it to its first owner, Baron von Hermann, a German aristocrat living in California. Von Hermann was apparently a Volkswagen distributor, a fact which enabled him to take delivery of this model before it was available to the general public.
He then used the Carrera in competition and, curiously, entered races using an Anglicised version of his name, ‘Daniel W. Herman’. He competed in several races run by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), taking second place at Novice Cotati in May 1957, after achieving excellent results at Buchanan Field and Salt Lake. In 1957, the famous racing driver Skip Hudson took this car to victory at Arcata Main, and then at Palm Springs and Laguna Seca, while Herman continued to race with his Porsche until he sold it in 1960.
After this, it had several Californian owners, one of whom, Louis Lavato, probably bought it in 1970 and entered into correspondence with Porsche AG (present in the history file). The car was later laid up for a few years before it was bought by Wayne Baker, a recognized Porsche historian, who kept it until the start of the 2000s. It was no doubt Baker who found the replacement Type 547/1 engine, which is correct for the period and is still fitted to the car today. It then moved on to two other owners in the States (the first of whom carried out an unobtrusive restoration, as can be seen from the invoices on file), before being acquired by its current owner in 2012. It then returned to Europe, where it was meticulously restored between 2019 and 2021. The history file includes invoices from Boxer Motor & Klassiche Automobile GmbH, in Dotternhausen, and the Autowerkstatt Ludescher, at Mackenbeuren, in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. The owner spent a total of 55,000 € and once the car had been completely restored, he was able to take part in the 2020 Mille Miglia.
In excellent condition today and to the correct specification for the model, this 356 Pre-A 1500 GS Carrera Speedster comes with a copy of its Kardex data card, a certificate delivered in 1992 by Porsche Cars North America, a technical datasheet prepared by the Karosserie Reutter, period correspondence with Porsche AG, a substantial file of invoices and a FIVA ID card issued in December 2023.
Eligible for the most prestigious events, races, rallies and concours in the world of classic cars, this car with its continuous history and unquestionable authenticity will make a fine addition to any enthusiast’s collection.
Photos © Maximilian Vogl
