Bent Window! 1954 Porsche 356 Pre “A”
I have to admit some confusion to the descriptor of a “Bent Window” Porsche. I get the pre “A” designation but the bent window reference had me scratching my head. But I have it now, so let’s look this 1954 Porsche 356 project over. It is located in Pleasanton, California and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $80,100, reserve not yet met.
Being a pre “A” designated Porsche means it was built between 1948 and 1955 before the 356-A version was introduced later that year and the total pre-A volume was about 7K units. The bent window, which is really a sort of V-shaped windscreen, was introduced in 1952 and it’s most evident when viewing the center point at the upper edge where the windshield and roof meet. Research indicates that the bent window’s last appearance was in 1955 but I cannot verify that factually; any input from our informed readers would be appreciated.
This 80K mile 356 is listed as having had one owner since 1958 and is still in possession of its original sheet metal, engine, and transaxle. Unfortunately, that sheet metal has picked up some Bondo along the way. It’s a straight and complete-looking body, with nice shunt lines, but it will need a lot of body prep to return it to a surface that is amenable to refinishing. The seller claims that there is no rust present beyond the visible surface corrosion. The bit of blue paint revealed is not original as this Porsche was born with a Pearl Gary hue.
The engine is the original, “non-stuck” 63 HP, 1500 CC, flat four-cylinder affair that has not been operated since the early ’70s. It is claimed to be complete and the seller suggests that it, “shows no sign of damage“. Mounted in the rear, the engine is attached to a four-speed manual transaxle.
The interior of this 356 is a bit like an archeological study in that it is old and very undisturbed and the seller, who is known as “Dusty Cars“, certainly seems aptly named. It is finished off in Kunstahl Blue which probably made for an attractive contrast with the original Pearl Gray exterior. As it sits, it’s quite rough and will need an entire redo but as with the exterior, it shows to be complete and missing nothing. Note the Telefunken radio and the steering wheel-mounted clock, how unusual!
Admittedly, this Porsche 356 does seem to be very complete and not missing any essentials or small stuff. There are numerous underside images included in the listing and this car does in fact seem to be structurally sound. So, we’re at $80K and the reserve still hasn’t been met, what do you think it will take to send this Porsche to a new home?
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Comments
Just an old Porsche…nothing to see here.Going to sell for 6 figures though.Just don’t know why….sorry
You answered your own question…”just an old Porsche…”
Funny…thanks
Its just a piece of history collectors are locos enought to pay unreal for that thing because some how history is expencive
Agreed. In the scheme of life, is this “bent window” Porsche really significant?
Maybe to some, but its just another car that someone will pay a lot for because he/she thinks it is significant…
Which makes it significant.
Or insignificant
Perception and hype. Certainly nothing real. Remember when ridiculously rich guys now and then spent a small percentage of their over the top cash windfalls on reasonably decent donations? You know, trying to buy their way into Heaven after a life filled with backstabbing, cruelty, and treachery? I miss those days.
Now they can start a foundation, get a massive tax deduction, spread their evil ideas, and get matching money from the taxpayers; who have zero say in any of it.
These cars remind me of Dutch tulip bulbs.
I bet the Porsche guys say the same about muscle cars.
Buy a freaking Volkswagen.
23 window VW vans routinely sell for far more than this. They are barely freeway legal.
Is this thing really faster than a comparable condition Karmaan Ghia?
It sure isn’t prettier.
Will probably see this again in 4 years in perfect concourse condition.
I had the same car in 1968. I sold my 100-4 AH for $100, so I could buy a running driving 1954 Porsche with decent paint and a nice interior. Then what? I was classified 1 A by Uncle Sam, and drafted.
I did drive a 4 speed convertible in Viet Nam, but it was a 1943 Dodge.3/4 ton. (The Vietnamese got the new stuff).
Thank you for your service and welcome home, Sir.
I love the 4 speed convertible comment! I drove a 4 door hatchback during my service…(HMMWV)
Looks like a candidate for a restoration, but the days of getting this for a reasonable amount are long gone.
I don’t understand the 356 very well, it’s incredibly under powered granted the lines of the had to be really dramatic for it’s time and yes it is a Porsche! There is no denying the value, that’s what they are selling for. To make this car perfect again may take another 150k? Then what’s it worth?
I have lots of questions because I just don’t know enough about the subject.
yikes! where are these heading?
These had “Continental “, on the front fenders, in gold script.
Back in the early 60s I owned a TR-3 and a friend had a 56 speedster, which he paid $600 for. I got to drive the speedster, no comparison, the Porsche had no squeaks or rattles and stuck to the road like glue. Maybe 40 less HP than the Triumph but a lot faster all around. Porsche deserves their reputation.
@Trey. I say that about muscle cars as they are of no interest to me. Each to his own I guess.
I have a 1956 A, registered as a 57, And that was the first year without the V shaped windscreen and with a different interior. In the 356 Coupe world, pre A’s are most valuable, followed by A’s and then the SC’s. This will be restored by someone and sell for a lot of $$$. My A is an Outlaw with disc brakes and an upgraded 912 motor. These are just lovely cars and, even is original form, are solid and great fun to drive. To each their own..
Malcolm, very early 55 was the last of the bane window, most 55’s and all ’56’s had the “usual” curved windshield. I agree with everything else that you said. Porsche 356s are rare, the earlier the more rare and that makes them valuable whether one likes them or not.
I had a ‘56 356A 1500GS Carrera. As a 20 year old I didn’t know what I had. 4 cam motor was hard to work on. Sold the 4 cam, and put in a 1600 Super. I think they only made about 100 of that Carrera model. Even had chrome Rudge wheels with knock-off center hubs.
@Jack Quantrill. We all do stupid things that we diidn’t know were stupid at the time. I used to collect old cameras along with old cars and bikes, and one of them was a Mk 1 Leica. I think I paid about $5 for it 40 years ago as it was just an old camera. A few years later I brought them over to UK and sold them all to a dealer for about $200 to help finance my holiday from South Africa. About 5 years ago I discovered that one had sold on auction (the identical model Mk 1 Leica) for $11 MILLION !! Evidently they only made 25 of them in 1923, or 23 in 1925 I can’t remember. Google “worlds most expensive camera” and this might still be top of the list. Oh well, you can’t win them all I suppose. (But just ONE would be a bonus!)
I suppose – at a push – I could probably buy this if the reserve was not that far away. But why on earth would I? I just don’t like them! I can never understand why so much fuss is made over these ghastly little cars . . . this one presents especially badly . . . and, at a distance, could probably pass muster as a T-Rex turd. I’ll avoid, thanks!
I like em because they are as close to a Swiss watch as a car can get! But I’ll settle for a Tissot (VW) over a Rolex (Porsche) due to the price!
A lot of people like to stand on the mountain top and deciare to the world that they don’t understand why people go nuts over this or that. Not sure why we need to know. Just go with the flow. It is what it is.
A lot of suspect bidders, unless they are fishing for the reserve?? Think its a hundred large?? Looks like its complete, and if it turns over why not try to fire it off?? Good luck and know what you are buying.
CHEERS
Gpc
One owner in 73 years. Sure, ok.
Jack…Did the same thing with my first Porsche, a ’57 Cabriolet. It had a roller bearing crankshaft that everybody said was going to come apart pretty quick. It wasn’t until later that I found out it was a very rare engine used only for one year model. Pulled it out and replaced it with a standard crank 1600. Sold it to a friend who had a VW bus, helped him put it in, and watched him drive it forever without any problems. As for the ’54 coupe, there just were not that many of these cars made and the survival rate wasn’t very good, making them rare and obviously expensive.
Very R A R E Porsche.