1959 Porsche 356 Convertible D
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Specifications:
Engine: 1600 cc Transmission: 4 speed manual Extras: Older Restored car from JHB. |
The 356 was created by Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche (son of Ferdinand Porsche, founder of the German company), who founded the Austrian company with his sister, Louise. Like its cousin, the Volkswagen Beetle (which Ferdinand Porsche Sr. had designed), the 356 is a four-cylinder, air-cooled, rear-engine, rear-wheel drive car with unitized pan and body construction.
Little noticed at its inception, mostly by a small number of auto racing enthusiasts, the first 356s sold primarily in Austria and Germany. It took Porsche two years, starting with the first prototype in 1948, to manufacture the first 50 automobiles. By the early 1950s the 356 had gained some renown among enthusiasts on both sides of the Atlantic for its aerodynamics, handling, and excellent build quality. The class win at Le Mans in 1951 was a factor. It was common for owners to race the car as well as drive them on the streets. They introduced the four-cam racing "Carrera" engine, a totally new design and unique to Porsche sports cars, in late 1954. Increasing success with its racing and road cars brought Porsche orders for over 10,000 units in 1964, and by the time 356 production ended in 1965 approximately 76,000 had been produced.
In 1958 Porsche released the Convertible 'D', a more luxurious version of the Speedster. The key differences between the Speedster and the Convertible D model were that the Convertible D had a redesigned and higher windshield frame, an improved top, larger rear window, glass side windows, more comfortable coupe-style seats, pockets in the door panels, and no side script, as well as other more minor changes. Both models had windshield frames and side posts made of chrome plated brass. Overall the 'D' was 3.5 inches taller.
The folding steel top frame of the Convertible D evolved from the Speedster top to accept the higher windshield frame and roll-up windows. It had tubular steel construction with a steel front bow unlike the wooden bow of the cabriolet." The D top frame had an additional bow than that of the Speedster's and two latches at the front similar to the Speedster's; the cabriolet had three latches. The D's top also had rain gutters added above the side roll-up windows. The 'D top also had a significantly enlarged rear window, even larger than the high-bow Speedster's rear window.
The rear cowl of the Speedster was considerably different than that of the cabriolet, being longer and having no recess for the tack strip. Glass side windows with wind-up mechanisms, instead of side curtains, were added to the Convertible D. The doors themselves were essentially the same.
Door pockets were added to the D on both interior door panels. A lockable flap with a key was optional on driver's side. As production continued, the driver's side lockable flap became more standard. The passenger's side had either the plain pocket or the optional pocket with the locking flap. The key opened either flap and was usable on any Convertible D.
The D also received Coupe-style non-reclining seats (recliners optional on one or both) instead of the minimally padded Speedster seats. Also headrests were an available option on the driver's seat and the headrest on the passenger's seat could be added as well.
Speedsters were equipped with a vinyl half-tonneau; vinyl full tonneaus could be ordered. Convertible Ds came standard with a vinyl boot cover for the folding top (unlike a half-tonneau, it did not cover the rear area behind the seats). A vinyl tonneau cover could be ordered as an option for the D.
The "Speedster" script was no longer used on the Convertible D — the first prototype D had the script "Speedster D" on the front left fender but the production models did not. Convertible Ds were given the Drauz coachbuilder's badge on the lower right fender. Aluminum upper side moldings, pretty much standard on the Speedster, were continued into the Convertible D model run, however this could be deleted as an option.
D's were equipped with either the 1600 Normal "Damen" (Type 616/1) or the 1600 Super (Type 616/2) engines, however a few did receive Four Cam engines
Windshield washers became standard equipment on the D and the wiper arms were changed, the rear view mirror was slightly larger and mounted differently to the mirror support rod. The dash had provisions for installing an ashtray and even a radio slung below the dash.
All in all, the Convertible D was a somewhat more practical car than the Speedster: a larger windshield, real side windows, and more comfortable seats, while retaining the beautiful body lines and downward sloping beltline that now attracts so many 356 enthusiasts. Of course some of the minimalist, racier features of the Speedster were lost, and many Porsche purists complained long and loud in 1958!
The car we have for sale has been in the same ownership for over 35 years and is owned by one of SA's Porsche Royal families, the Abbot's. The car is in good overall condition and has been used widely over the years. One of only 1331 built, this is a true collectors car but one that can be used aswell.
Please call for more info
POA
Little noticed at its inception, mostly by a small number of auto racing enthusiasts, the first 356s sold primarily in Austria and Germany. It took Porsche two years, starting with the first prototype in 1948, to manufacture the first 50 automobiles. By the early 1950s the 356 had gained some renown among enthusiasts on both sides of the Atlantic for its aerodynamics, handling, and excellent build quality. The class win at Le Mans in 1951 was a factor. It was common for owners to race the car as well as drive them on the streets. They introduced the four-cam racing "Carrera" engine, a totally new design and unique to Porsche sports cars, in late 1954. Increasing success with its racing and road cars brought Porsche orders for over 10,000 units in 1964, and by the time 356 production ended in 1965 approximately 76,000 had been produced.
In 1958 Porsche released the Convertible 'D', a more luxurious version of the Speedster. The key differences between the Speedster and the Convertible D model were that the Convertible D had a redesigned and higher windshield frame, an improved top, larger rear window, glass side windows, more comfortable coupe-style seats, pockets in the door panels, and no side script, as well as other more minor changes. Both models had windshield frames and side posts made of chrome plated brass. Overall the 'D' was 3.5 inches taller.
The folding steel top frame of the Convertible D evolved from the Speedster top to accept the higher windshield frame and roll-up windows. It had tubular steel construction with a steel front bow unlike the wooden bow of the cabriolet." The D top frame had an additional bow than that of the Speedster's and two latches at the front similar to the Speedster's; the cabriolet had three latches. The D's top also had rain gutters added above the side roll-up windows. The 'D top also had a significantly enlarged rear window, even larger than the high-bow Speedster's rear window.
The rear cowl of the Speedster was considerably different than that of the cabriolet, being longer and having no recess for the tack strip. Glass side windows with wind-up mechanisms, instead of side curtains, were added to the Convertible D. The doors themselves were essentially the same.
Door pockets were added to the D on both interior door panels. A lockable flap with a key was optional on driver's side. As production continued, the driver's side lockable flap became more standard. The passenger's side had either the plain pocket or the optional pocket with the locking flap. The key opened either flap and was usable on any Convertible D.
The D also received Coupe-style non-reclining seats (recliners optional on one or both) instead of the minimally padded Speedster seats. Also headrests were an available option on the driver's seat and the headrest on the passenger's seat could be added as well.
Speedsters were equipped with a vinyl half-tonneau; vinyl full tonneaus could be ordered. Convertible Ds came standard with a vinyl boot cover for the folding top (unlike a half-tonneau, it did not cover the rear area behind the seats). A vinyl tonneau cover could be ordered as an option for the D.
The "Speedster" script was no longer used on the Convertible D — the first prototype D had the script "Speedster D" on the front left fender but the production models did not. Convertible Ds were given the Drauz coachbuilder's badge on the lower right fender. Aluminum upper side moldings, pretty much standard on the Speedster, were continued into the Convertible D model run, however this could be deleted as an option.
D's were equipped with either the 1600 Normal "Damen" (Type 616/1) or the 1600 Super (Type 616/2) engines, however a few did receive Four Cam engines
Windshield washers became standard equipment on the D and the wiper arms were changed, the rear view mirror was slightly larger and mounted differently to the mirror support rod. The dash had provisions for installing an ashtray and even a radio slung below the dash.
All in all, the Convertible D was a somewhat more practical car than the Speedster: a larger windshield, real side windows, and more comfortable seats, while retaining the beautiful body lines and downward sloping beltline that now attracts so many 356 enthusiasts. Of course some of the minimalist, racier features of the Speedster were lost, and many Porsche purists complained long and loud in 1958!
The car we have for sale has been in the same ownership for over 35 years and is owned by one of SA's Porsche Royal families, the Abbot's. The car is in good overall condition and has been used widely over the years. One of only 1331 built, this is a true collectors car but one that can be used aswell.
Please call for more info
POA