This 1959 Porsche 356A Convertible D is one of approximately 1,331 examples manufactured during a single year of production and underwent a multi-year restoration beginning in the mid-2000s and spanning through 2013. Work was carried out by a number of shops, including Willhoit Auto Restoration of Long Beach, California and West Coast Classic Restoration of Fullerton, and involved a repaint in the factory shade of Silver Metallic, a reupholstered black leatherette interior, a rebuild of the engine, and overhauls of the suspension, brakes, and electrical system. The car is powered by a 1.6-liter flat-four paired with a four-speed manual transaxle, and equipment includes a black soft top, 15″ ventilated steel wheels, driving lights, a dual-circuit master cylinder, a 12-volt electrical system, and a sway bar. This 356A Convertible D was purchased by the current owner in 2020 and is now offered on their behalf by the seller with a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, restoration photos, the owner’s manual, service records, and a clean California title.
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 came finished from the factory in Silver Metallic (5806) and was repainted following the completion of metal work and replacement floor pans by West Coast Classic Restoration. Reassembly was performed by Willhoit Auto Restoration, and a replacement black soft top was installed.
The 15″ ventilated steel wheels wear Porsche-crested hubcaps and are mounted with 165SR15 Michelin XZX tires. The drum brakes were overhauled and fitted with a dual-circuit master cylinder during the refurbishment. A 17.5mm sway bar was also added.
The interior was reupholstered in black leatherette with charcoal squareweave carpets during the refurbishment. A replacement dash and lap belts were also installed.
The two-spoke steering wheel is trimmed in leather and frames VDO instrumentation consisting of a central 6k-rpm tachometer, a 120-mph speedometer, and a combination gauge monitoring oil temperature and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows 67k miles, less than 1k of which were added under current ownership.
The 1.6-liter flat-four was rebuilt by Willhoit in 2013 and features dual Zenith carburetors. The electrical system has been converted to 12-volts and an electric fuel pump has been installed.
Engine stamping *74406* is shown above, and a corresponding number is listed on the Porsche CoA.
Power is routed to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transaxle, which was rebuilt by Benton Performance of Anaheim in 2019.
The Porsche Certificate of Authenticity shows the factory colors and serial numbers.
Additional photos taken during the restoration are provided in the gallery.
The photos were taken in May 2024.
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