Porsche’s popular 356 Roadster was introduced for the 1960 model year as a replacement of the one-year-only Convertible D, the Speedster’s more civilized successor. The new T-5 Roadster brought several marked changes in appearance: The front fenders and headlamps were raised, as were both the front and rear bumpers, to better deal with urban parking. New vertical bumper guards also helped in that respect. New brake-cooling intakes were added to the nose below the front bumper. There were new cast-aluminum Alfin brake drums with iron liners, and the brakes had improved sealing to repel water.

The new Roadster shared many of the comfort attributes of the Convertible D, including roll-up windows, comfortable seats, and a well-constructed convertible top with a tan-painted frame and wraparound plastic rear window. For those with competition in mind, the windshield could be removed, and roadsters, like the Speedster and Convertible D, soon became popular in amateur sports car racing around the world.

This very attractive 356 B 1600 Super Roadster by Drauz left the factory on December 15, 1959, wearing Silbermetallik paint (6006) and trimmed and upholstered in Dark Blue Leatherette. According to its Certificate of Authenticity, it carried only a few factory options, such as reclining driver and passenger seats and Phoenix tires. Its chassis number places it just about halfway through the run of 560 T5 Roadsters built for the 1960 model year, and its original Type 616/2 engine, which could develop 75 brake horsepower at 5,000-rpm, was the ninth from last manufactured in the 1959 calendar year.

Roadsters of all years have become highly collectible, and high-quality examples such as this come to market infrequently. It is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.