1955 Porsche 356 Speedster: The Original Style King
With only 1,233 sold in the U.S., the once low-cost Porsche 356 Speedster now regularly fetches upwards of $250,000.
So, you like classic Porsches? Well, just exactly how classic are you willing to go? The 356 Porsche is the first production automobile ever made by the company. It was created by Ferry Porsche, the son of Ferdinand Porsche, who founded the company. Its purpose was to be both nimble and quick, as Porsche was building its brand around the idea of racing. The 356 would net success in racing for Porsche, winning its class at Le Mans in 1951. During its 1948 to 1955 original production run, Porsche produced the car in limited quantity. Less than 8,000 total original 356s were ever made by the company.
The Speedster was even lighter and more exciting version of the 356 to drive than the cabriolet or coupe. The next to non-existent windshield fit the California aesthetic of the time perfectly. In the 1954-1955 year, only 1,233 Speedsters were sold in the U.S. Today, these cars are highly sought after by collectors and fans of the brand for obvious reasons. There is something absolutely timeless about the styling of this vehicle and its heritage is unmistakable. This 1955 Speedster seen in a video by Bullet Motorsports on YouTube is without a doubt a beautiful example.
This Speedster featured in the video is currently up for sale. The ad for the car can be found on Bullet Motorsports’ website or a link here. As we go for a walk around this stunning vehicle, we can see that it is definitely up to snuff. According to the unnamed host, the car is rust-free and has been maintained to the highest standard. This means both mechanically and aesthetically. The car has an original 69,222 miles and features the original 1600cc motor.
The dual carbs scoot around this Speedster with around 50-60 HP. That was a lot of power for a car back in the day. With a car this light, it most likely is just enough. However, don’t expect to do 85 miles an hour cruising on the freeway. The car is also advertised as rust-free, even though it has existed for 65 years now. We think that is an accomplishment in itself.
Although the paint is supposedly 8/10, we think it can be overlooked for how well everything else associated with the car is. This car features nearly 100% original parts. Most of these parts are so rare, you couldn’t find aftermarket equivalents if you wanted to. The car even comes with the original spare wheel and tire along with the wheel jack for replacing the wheel.
So if a 4-speed Porsche for the 1950s is in your to-own book, this might be worth the time to look at one. Back in 1955, this car was offered at the affordable MSRP of $2,995. That is $28,825 when adjusted for inflation. This particular car is now being offered at a lofty $400,000 and prices should continue to climb as these cars get older. Could you really find a classier car than this one at any price point? Not when the roofline is this low and looks this good, we think.
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