This 1959 Porsche 356A is one of 1,331 Convertible D models produced for a single model year and is finished in Ivory over red leatherette upholstery. The car was originally imported to New York and was sold new in September 1959 from Hoffman Motor Car Company. The second owner purchased it in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in April 1961, and would use it for country touring and Allegheny Region PCA events before placing it in storage in 2000. The car was relocated to California under previous ownership and was acquired by the current owner on BaT in August 2020. Subsequent work involved overhauling the 1.6L flat-four, four-speed manual transaxle, and suspension. Equipment includes a black convertible top, a red parade boot, and a Panasonic tri-band radio. This Convertible D was previously listed on BaT in February 2024 and is now offered on dealer consignment with service photos, a Porsche service book, a Driver’s manual, and a clean California title in the seller’s name.
Convertible D models were produced between 1958 and 1959, with coachwork contracted to Karosseriewerke Drauz in Heilbronn, Germany, hence the “D” model designation. All 1,331 were sold as 1959 models, and notable differentiations included roll-up side windows and a windshield that was 3″ taller than the Speedster’s. This example is finished in Ivory (5704) with a black convertible top, and the car is said to have received paintwork under previous ownership. Chips and discoloration can be seen around the body, and pitting is noted on the chrome bumperettes and moldings along with metallic silver tape covering the chrome windshield pillars. Rust is visible in the door bottoms.
Lemmerz 15″ steel wheels are finished in silver and wear chrome baby moon hubcaps and 165-15″ Pirelli Cinturato radial tires. Braking is handled by four-wheel drums, and the system was overhauled in 2020 with a replacement master cylinder, brake lines, and wheel cylinders. The suspension was overhauled and fitted with Koni shocks under current ownership. A red parade boot accompanies the car, and the black convertible top is pictured in both its raised and lowered positions in the gallery.
The interior is trimmed in red leatherette with matching door panels, oatmeal square-weave carpets, black rubber floor mats, and an ivory and red dash. Convertible D models were produced with coupe-style padded seats and storage pockets in the door panels, and additional equipment includes red lap belts and a tri-band radio fitted under the dash.
Green-letter VDO instrumentation consists of a 6k-rpm tachometer, a 120-mph speedometer, and gauges for oil temperature and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows 87k miles, and the seller states that approximately 400 miles were added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown.
The 1.6-liter flat-four was overhauled under current ownership and was factory rated at 59 horsepower and 81 lb-ft of torque. It is equipped with a pair of Zenith 32 NDIX downdraft carburetors as well as a dual-outlet exhaust system.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transaxle that was reportedly overhauled under current ownership. Additional underside photos are provided in the gallery.
