1962 Porsche 356B Cabriolet

Widely acknowledged as Porsche's first venture into motor manufacturing, the 356 was a lightweight and nimble rear engined, rear-wheel-drive, two-door sporting car available in hardtop coupé and open configurations. Over a 15-year production period, the 356 evolved from a little, aluminium-bodied coupé with an 1,100cc air-cooled flat-four engine into a sophisticated sports car with a 2,000cc four-cam Carrera engine producing 130 bhp.In September of 1959 Porsche revealed their fully updated 356, known as the 356B, with a completely revised body that was more suitable for the American market. The 'B' used the new T5 body style with a curved front bonnet lid, rounded wings compared to that of the 356A and new front and rear sheet metal. The bumpers were raised nearly four inches, over-riders added, and the headlights were also repositioned higher to comply with US-Federal regulations. The brakes were upgraded, larger door handles fitted, and inside Porsche fitted a new deep dish steering wheel and deeper front seats.In August of 1961 Porsche revealed the updated T6 body with larger windows for the Coupé and twin engine grills on the rear deck. The T6 had a much revised front bonnet with a different petrol tank that was accessed under a filler cap on the wing instead of the middle of the boot. In 1963, the 356C marked the third and final update to the 356 model.This left-hand drive, 1962 Porsche 356 Cabriolet is finished in one of the sleekest colour combinations of Metallic Silver with a dark blue leather interior and blue hood. Delivered new to the United States, the car eventually made its way back to Europe. The body was subject to a restoration in 2006 and the paintwork today presents well, having been recently treated to a bare metal respray. The hood is in excellent condition and the interior a true delight, complete with the original Blaupunkt radio and clock. The engine is the correct type 616/1 but is not original to the car. There are a number of bills in the history file from Porsche Monaco and documentation confirms that the car had previously been UK registered.This 356 Cabriolet was serviced, tuned, the spark plugs changed, and supplied with 1 year's MoT in 2014. However, it has subsequently been maintained by Porsche specialists 'Flat 06' in Monaco and there is an invoice in the history file for €2,000 dated January 2017.As well as being sporty and lots of fun, this late built 'T6' Cabriolet is a perfect representation of the late fifties/early sixties period that is absolutely in fashion at the moment, and this little silver convertible would be welcome at any classic car event /rally/garden party or anywhere really and looks a very reasonable ownership proposition.