Origins

The Porsche story is a fascinating one and its roots go back to the 1930’s when Professor Ferdinand Porsche was instrumental in the design of the first Volkswagen - and Auto Union race cars. From 1939, Porsche was forced to focus on supporting the German war effort,  however, he had always wanted to build his own cars – a dream that lived on. 

Forced to leave Stuttgart in 1944, Porsche set up a cottage-sized operation in Gmünd, Austria. Members of the Porsche family and many of their engineers were captured and jailed.  Ferdinand Porsche’s son, Ferdinand junior, or ‘Ferry’ as he was known, was released six months later and returned to Gmünd to rebuild the family company.

By mid-1948 the first Porsche 356 was built. Some 50 hand-built aluminium-bodied cars were crafted at Gmünd before relocation back to Stuttgart, Germany. 

Model 356

The first of the breed, model 356 evolved into one of the most successful sports cars ever built. Competition success all over the world followed - perhaps a class win at Le Mans in 1951 a high-point.

The 356 lineage runs from the early cars - known today as ‘Pre A’ models, built until 1955, superseded by the 356A (built from 1955 – 1959), the 356B (built from 1959 – 1963) and the 356C (built from 1963 – 1965). The 356 was built as a coupe, cabriolet, speedster, roadster and convertible.

The cabriolet design was driven largely by an American market seeking subtle refinements over the earlier speedsters – providing open and closed motoring with a little added sophistication.  

1,616 T5 Cabriolets were built with three engine options: 60HP [standard], Super, 75HP [an upgrade] and the Super-90 [top of the line at 90HP].

Featured Car

A fabulous 1961 Porsche 356B Cabriolet in Condor Yellow, this outstanding example makes an immediate impression.

Purchased as a complete, non-running set of dismantled parts, in September 1998 in California, by South Australian, Kevin Pedder, little is known of the car’s pre-1998 history. 

Blessed with a no-cost spared, ground up, bare-metal restoration over 25 years, the reward is a spectacular example of the rare and highly sought-after Porsche 356B T-5 Super 90 Cabriolet, showing less than 200 kilometres post-restoration.

LHD to RHD

The meticulous restoration included professional, engineering-compliant conversion to RH drive ensuring that all components – steering box, chassis mounting, coupling and steering arm, geometry and steering column are all true to – or exceed – original specifications in what is a true mirror of the original LHD installation.

This applies to firewall, brake master cylinder and pedal box location and operation, windscreen wipers, all wiring and dashboard layout. In short, the conversion was ratified in October 2022 by United Auto Engineering to meet all requirements outlined in standards VSB 4 and Code LS 1. The engineering certification documents accompany the car – as do the original Bill of Sale ex USA, Vehicle Import Approval 7269/92 issued on May 5th 1999 and all relevant registration documentation.

Restoration

Over an almost timeless period, all components of the car were completely disassembled and scrutinized, stripped bare and resurrected with a total lead-wiped body treatment.

Factory accurate to period, Condor Yellow is an appropriate colour to celebrate this born-again beauty. 

Body longitudinals were strengthened. The original driveline was carefully rebuilt to factory-fresh standards. Every component throughout the restoration was replaced with new-old-stock components or originals, resurrected and refinished to the highest standards. 

In the rebirth of this run-down, close-to-consignment to the proverbial tip example, long-time 356 enthusiast and South Australian motorsport industry leader, Kevin Pedder, lavished upon it a number of personalised, carefully considered safety and functional enhancements: 

H4 halogen headlights 12 volt
LED tail and indicator lamps
High level in-grille LED stop light
All gauges converted 6 to 12 volt  - no transformers
12-volt wiper motor and electric washers
12-volt clock
Full set of five light-weight alloy wheels shod with Michelin 165 tyres
Adjustable 22mm front sway bar
Front control arm professionally boxed for better handling
Koni shock absorbers
Front disc brakes with dual master cylinder system
Rebuilt engine by 356 Werks (Rob Fores) Melbourne
Rear luggage rack
Gearbox rebuilt by Keith Poole
Cloth seat inserts for improved comfort and ventilation 
Safety additions : head rests and inertia-reel seatbelts

Specifications

1961 Porsche 356B T5 Super-90 Cabriolet carries Chassis No. 155261. Engine No. KDP800143.

The Super 90 1582cc naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine delivers maximum torque of  121nm with 66kw [88.5 HP] at 4300rpm. 

Copies of documents exist that confirm the engine was changed-over by the factory in November 1967 – with mileage showing of 65,426 kilometres. 

Transmission is Type 741/OA synchromesh four-speed; easy to operate, nicely spaced ratios.

The 356 B Cabriolet weighs 900kg and runs to a top speed of 160kph [100mph]. 

Length: 4010mm   Width: 1670mm   Height: 1330mm

Body by Reutter – Karosseriewerk Reutter collaboration with Porsche began through the joint production of prototypes, including the original Volkswagen in 1938. 

After the Second World War, Reutter was involved in the mass production of the 356 model which led inexorably to the takeover of Reutter by Porsche, in 1963.