First owned by Swedish racing star Ernst “Nenne” Paulson, who dazzled behind the wheel of competition Porsches before a tragic, career-ending accident, this distinctive 356 B combines an evocative competition connection with a deliberately unconventional approach to restoration. Originally finished in Signal Red over leatherette upholstery with fabric inserts, it has since acquired a character that owes as much to its sympathetic recommissioning as to the passage of time.

Rather than return the 356 to an immaculate, as-new appearance, Swedish magazine Gasoline undertook a project that placed its weathered surfaces at the forefront. Working in collaboration with a Stockholm automotive restoration school and a hot-rod speed shop, the magazine took a balanced approach: preserving the patina that made the Porsche so compelling while addressing the deterioration beneath it. The resulting work was extensive. The chassis was rebuilt, badly rusted floors and body panels were replaced, and a new fuel tank was fabricated, complete with a racing-style filler. Straps, logos, pinstriping, and a racing number introduce the visual language of a well-used competition machine, complementing its patinated presentation and the sporting association of its first owner.

Currently fitted with a later Porsche 356 C 1600 engine, this distinctive Porsche combines the intriguing provenance of its first owner, Nenne Paulson, with substantial restorative work and an engaging, competition-inspired appearance. The decision to embrace the car’s age, retaining its weathered finish rather than seeking to disguise it, lends it a charm seldom found in more conventionally restored examples.

So much of Porsche’s modern success is a reflection of the marque’s early racing heritage. This special build nods to that past while giving a unique 356 coupe a new lease on life.