Hess Classic - Finest cars since 1946
Lamborghini Miura
Chassis Number: 4155
Engine: Original matching numbers V-12 engine and driveline
Ferrari 250 GT / Lusso
Chassis and engine number: 4735 GT
Color : Pino verde over beige
1961 E-type Jaguar SI 3.8L convertible flat floors
Chassis number : 875232
Engine R 1357-9
Land Rover Series II A 4x4
Chassis number: 32300558D
Engine: 2,286cc, 62 bhp diesel engine option
Porsche 356 Pre-A 1600 Speedster
Chassis Number: 80058
Color: Dark grey over a tobacco interior
Porsche 356 Pre-A 1600 Speedster
THE PORSCHE EMBLEMATIC MODEL
Even if Ferdinand Porsche created his car brand in the 30’s, we had to wait 19 years to finally discover his first car and it was worth the wait. In the 50’s, Porsche introduced the 356 model, and soon became one of the best sport car of all time. The model was built from 1948 to 1965.
Initially produced as a coupé and a cabriolet, it was in 1954 that the Speedster appeared. Max Hoffmann, US Porsche importer, suggested to Porsche that a lighter, faster and less expensive car (compared to the UK competitors) would do very well in the US. The Speedster featured a more aggressive windshield, racing style bucket seats and a light folding convertible top. The car was stripped down to a more sportive body style. This version became an instant classic, very successful in the American market, especially in California. Even Hoffman could not have foreseen the huge demand.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS SHEET
- Year of manufacture: 1954
- Chassis Number: 80058
- Color: Dark grey over a tobacco interior
- Engine: 33712
- The 58th Speedster constructed.
- Upgraded with a 1600 cubic cm engine (instead of a 1500) for improved performance.
- Delivered new to Max Hoffman’s dealership in New York the 4th of November 1954.
This model is one of the first built, to be specific, the 58th according to its chassis number. The car was delivered new to Max Hoffman’s dealership in New-York on the 4th of November 1954. Originally, the car was painted in signal red with a black leather interior. The car stayed in the US until 2011. After that, the car was repatriated to Europe to its new owner.
Now, the car is painted in a stylish dark grey with a tobacco color interior. The car was renovated in the 90’s with the installation of new front and rear bumpers and a sport camshaft. The original 1500 cm3 engine has been replaced to a better one: a 1600 cm3 type 616/1 T5 motor from a 1961 356 B, which allow the car to improved driving performances.
This car is, with no doubt, the Porsche emblematic model, and this is why it is one of the most popular car amongst collectors.
anecdotes
James Dean passion’s was cars and automobile race. He went at a lot of competitions. His every day car was the white Porsche Speedster of 1955.
