1956 Porsche 356 A

A 356 Carrera four-cam of historical significance.

One of the six right hand drive 356 A Carrera GS which arrived in the UK via official importers, AFN in 1956.

The global relevance of this fully restored and numbers matching example makes it one of the most significant Carreras available today.

This is history, artistry and passion in one remarkable 356.

The subject of a no expense spared, 3-year top-to-toe restoration and rebuild beginning in late 2012, thousands of hours have gone into making it right – and it is right, very right indeed.

Like many Porsche of the era, this Carrera has factory stampings everywhere: bonnet, doors, bumper irons — all marked with the last digits of the chassis number. You won’t be swapping panels between cars here. These parts were hand-fitted, bespoke to this car alone.

The restoration honours that legacy – the meticulous metalwork, flawless paint, and precise interior. It’s clear that those involved knew what they were doing – and cared deeply about doing it right.

A class winner at the 2018 Salon Privé Concours Masters “Celebration of 70 years of Porsche” event held at Blenheim Palace, and scooping the overall Owner’s Choice Runner’s Up Prize – true testament to the quality and authenticity of the restoration.

From the driver’s seat, you are reminded that this is no ordinary 356. Everything is laid out in a slightly unorthodox fashion – a 160 mph speedometer, an 8,000 rpm tacho with redline starting at 6,000, dual coil switches and a manual fuel pump toggle.

The secret to this 356’s rarity and specialty lies under the pristine white Reutter coachwork. Pop the engine lid to reveal the 1.5-liter four-cam engine masterpiece: (unusually) sporting Weber 40 carburettors, twin distributors, two plugs per cylinder, and a complex bevel gear system that runs the cams. It’s notoriously difficult to build and maintain – but that’s exactly what makes it special.

Supplied by Porsche main dealer AFN in April 1956, the first owner, Le Mans driver Edgar Wadsworth, enjoyed the Carrera for 4 years, regularly driving it back to Stuttgart for specialist servicing in between hill climbs and events on track.

Racing and rally driver Cyril Corbishley was owner number two, parting with the Carrera after 2 years in 1962. Further owners followed in 1963, 1978, 1986 (including a spell in Spain with great automotive personality, Enrique Coma-Cros), 2002 and 2013 when it joined its current owner, just prior to the beginning of the extensive refresh.

The significance of cars like this will only increase. Genuine, right-hand drive Carrera GS examples, with history, originality, and restoration of this calibre, rarely surface, and almost never change hands publicly.

Further technical and historical details including chassis, engine and transmission details, photographs and video, specialist reports, and restoration invoices and images are available upon request to serious buyers.

UK registered, available to view in our showroom. Independent inspections welcome.

Nationwide delivery and Worldwide export available.