1959 Porsche 356A Cabriolet Appears on Bring a Trailer Auction

A 1959 Porsche 356A Cabriolet delivered via Hoffman of New York is listed on Bring a Trailer. The restored classic features a later 356C engine and concours history.

In the late 1950s Porsche was steadily strengthening its position in the American market, and it is from this period that a 1959 Porsche 356A Cabriolet now offered on Bring a Trailer originates. The car, chassis number 151275, was delivered to the United States in October 1958 through Hoffman of New York, the importer that played a significant role in establishing Porsche in the American market during the brand’s early years.

This example belongs to the final phase of the 356A series. Production records indicate that 944 Cabriolets were built for the 1959 model year. Open versions of the 356A were produced in considerably smaller numbers than coupes, which has long given them a special standing among early Porsche models.

The story of this particular car is closely tied to a comprehensive refurbishment carried out after the seller’s late brother acquired it in 1990. The restoration continued until 1997 and involved extensive body work. The car was stripped to bare metal and mounted on a rotisserie while corrosion repairs and structural work were performed. Replacement sections included floor pans, frame struts, the battery box, rocker panels, and the lower portions of the doors.

The car originally left the factory finished in Ruby Red, but during the refurbishment it was repainted in Fjord Green, a historically correct color offered by Porsche for the 356A beginning in the mid-1950s. The exterior is complemented by chrome trim, body-color bumpers with overriders, Hella H4 headlights, and a Reutter badge behind the right-front wheel arch.

The interior was also refreshed in the 1990s. The seats and dashboard pad were reupholstered in tan leather from Autos International, while beige square-weave carpets were fitted throughout the cabin. The dashboard retains the classic layout typical of early Porsche sports cars, with a central tachometer reading to 6,000 rpm, a 120-mph speedometer, and a combined gauge for oil temperature and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows approximately 98,000 miles.

The mechanical configuration differs from the car’s original factory specification. A 1.6-liter air-cooled flat-four from a 1963 Porsche 356C sits under the rear lid, paired with a four-speed 741/2C manual transaxle sourced from a 1964 356C. Both components were reportedly rebuilt during the refurbishment period.

The car rides on 15-inch Lemmerz steel wheels dated to 1958 and mounted with Michelin XZX tires. Bilstein shocks are fitted, while braking is handled by the model’s characteristic four-wheel drum system.

Following the restoration, the Cabriolet appeared at several enthusiast events. In 1998 it received first-place awards at both the Forest Grove Rotary Concours and the 356 Holiday West Coast Monterey Concours.

In recent years the car had been stored for roughly five years before being recommissioned in November 2025. The work included rebuilding the Zenith carburetors, servicing the braking system, adjusting the valves, and replacing the front wheel bearings along with the fuel petcock assembly.

The Porsche is now offered on behalf of the late owner’s estate and is accompanied by a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, service records, factory literature, and two sets of keys. At the time of writing the auction shows a current bid of $10,000 with roughly a week remaining before the listing closes.

Interest in cars like this typically depends on a blend of factors including body style rarity, ownership history, condition, and documentation. In this case the Cabriolet combines several traits associated with early Porsche cars: delivery through a key American importer, a documented long-term restoration, and appearances at enthusiast concours events.

At the same time, the car is not a strictly original example, as both the engine and transaxle come from later 356C models. For some collectors that may represent a compromise, while for others it offers a more usable interpretation of an early Porsche sports car that still preserves the atmosphere and character of the 356 era.

For early Porsche automobiles this type of story is not unusual. A car built more than six decades ago has passed through enthusiasts’ hands, undergone restoration, appeared at gatherings, and now returns to the market as another chapter in the long-running history of the Porsche 356.