When one of the most important cars Porsche ever made comes up for sale, collectors should pay close attention.
Long before the 911 existed, Porsche became famous for the 356 line, which was the company’s first production model.
Small and agile the 356 became a tremendous success for Porsche. Designed by Ferry Porsche, the 356 model carried a rear mounted, four-cylinder air-cooled engine. Introduced in July 1947 Porsche would go to sell approximately 76’000 356′s before it was replaced by what was to be the Iconic 911 in 1964.
Most collectors think of the legendary ‘Speedster’ model when they think of 356, made famous by James Dean* who owned one. While the speedster is sought after by collectors, there is another model of the 356 which is even rarer and more valuable than a speedster. It is a Porsche 356 Carrera 2 Coupe.
The 356 Carrera 2 was one of the last built Porsche 356s and incorporated the most powerful engine available: A 2 L engine (thus the 2 in the Carrera 2), four cylinder – 4cam ‘Fuhrmann’ engine powered by 2 solex dual -throat carburettors producing an estimated 130hp at 6’2oo rpm**. This engine was 50% more powerful than the standard 356′s that Porsche had produced and represented that best and most powerful 356 coupe that Porsche had ever built. Top speed is estimated at 2ookm/h. Only 436 Carrera 2 were ever made. Gooding & Company is selling a 1963 Porsche 356 Carrera 2 which is especially interesting. It has a factory original sunroof (which is very rare and very cool) and an enlarged special order 70L tank. Most importantly it has a correct ‘matching numbers’ Carrera engine.
Gooding estimates this 1964 Porsche 356 Carrera 2 car at $600′ooo. For more information on this car please click here.
(Photo credit Mike Maez for Gooding & Co. All images copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company)
* James Dean did eventually die (tragically) in a Porsche, but it was not a speedster as many people think. It was a 550 spyder.
**Source: Porsche 356 ‘Driving in its purest form’ by Dirk Michael Conradt, page 249.
