This Porsche 356, chassis 152136, was one of just four hundred forty-seven cabriolets built for the 1959 model year. It was equipped with a 60-horsepower “Normal” engine when it left the factory on June 9, 1959, and it retains the same engine to this day. The consignor notes that the Cabriolet had been sold in the early 1960s by a struggling dental student who apparently needed the money for his continued education. The car was then acquired by a Porsche Club enthusiast, Charlie Werp, of Omaha, Nebraska. He then placed the car into storage in his basement, where it would spend the next 40 years.

The 356, still in good overall condition, was then sold to a friend of Mr. Werp in Texas. That individual only kept the car for a short period before offering it to Lance Pittack, owner of Woodhouse Porsche in Omaha and a collector in his own right. Pittack drove the car for several years before commissioning a comprehensive bare-metal restoration and mechanical rebuild. To bring this piece of Porsche history back to better-than-new condition, it was completely disassembled by specialists at his own shop.

Over a two-year period, beginning in 2010, Woodhouse painstakingly restored this car mechanically and cosmetically, with the body shell placed on a rotisserie to ensure that everything was correct from top to bottom. Along with a complete engine, gearbox, and braking system overhaul, a set of new Boge shock absorbers was installed, as were new Vredestein tires, a new wiring harness, a new windshield, body seals, and countless new OEM parts, fasteners, and hardware. Over 1,550 hours of labor were recorded on shop invoices that are included with the car.

This beautiful Cabriolet is finished in its original color of Ruby Red and a fresh black leather interior with Oatmeal Tan square-weave German carpeting and floor mats. It includes its original removable factory hardtop finished in contrasting black. The hardtop was manufactured by Karmann and offered by Porsche beginning in 1958. When installed, it bears a close resemblance to the later Karmann “Notchback” Coupes. A 1959 factory accessory catalogue advertised the hardtop at a factory retail price of $170. Many cabriolets delivered with hardtops, especially those in Europe, did not have folding fabric soft-tops. This car has U.S.-specification bumpers and bumper guards, a Blaupunkt AM/FM radio and speaker, and a correct spare, jack, and partial tool roll. Included is a factory brochure with cabriolet hardtop installation instructions.

This beautiful and rare Cabriolet would make a fine addition to any enthusiast’s collection.