1959 356A Carrera GS/GT Coupe

The Porsche 356 Carrera, introduced in the 1950s, became legendary largely due to the advanced engineering of its “Carrera” engines. This engine was a continuation of Porsche’s groundbreaking Type 547 engine, originally designed by Dr. Ernst Fuhrman for the 550 Spyder that triumphed at the Carrera Panamericana race in 1953 and 1954. The Type 962/1 version of this engine was developed specifically for road-going customers but retained much of the innovation that made its predecessors competitive. With only 14 or 15 units ever built, the 692/1 stands out for its rarity, advanced cam design, and role in Porsche’s race history.

This 1959 356A Carrera 1500 GS/GT Coupe is fitted with its original Type 692/1 engine and retains authentic features such as its Silver Metallic paint, external fender mirror, and matching-numbers coachwork. Delivered to its original owner in Princeton, NJ, in 1958, it was acquired by Rudi Klein in 1976 and put away with the rest of his treasures until being unearthed for this weekends auction.

To find a matching-numbers Carrera like this is like finding a needle in a haystack, and as you can imagine, those needles bring the money. It sold all-in at $885,000, making it a new five-year record for a 356A Carrera Coupe. I do hope I have a chance to see this one on a Concours field in the near future. Congrats to the new owner.

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