1960 Porsche 356B 1600S Cabriolet Offered on BaT

1960 Porsche 356B 1600S Cabriolet with Kardex and factory Royal Blue is listed on Bring a Trailer. Explore details, condition, and current bid activity.

A $55,000 bid for a 1960 Porsche 356B 1600S Cabriolet highlights sustained demand for early open-top versions of Porsche’s first production model, especially when factory specifications and documentation are clearly established.

The car represents a T5-generation 356B, the first iteration of the updated series introduced for the 1960 model year. Its production date — January 21, 1960 — is confirmed by a copy of the original Kardex, which also lists factory colors and serial numbers. The engine number shown on the car corresponds to the one recorded in that document, an important factor for vehicles where verified provenance directly affects market perception.

The car retains its factory shade of Royal Blue (6012), reapplied during a repaint in 2019. This color was part of the palette introduced with the 356B and is considered period-correct for the model. The body itself was built by Reutter, a key Porsche partner responsible for producing a large share of 356 bodies during that era.

Technically, the car is a 1600S (Super) version, powered by a 1.6-liter flat-four producing around 75 horsepower. Both the engine and the four-speed manual transaxle were rebuilt in 2019. In 2025, front disc brakes were added — a modification not original to the 1960 specification but one that improves usability in modern driving conditions.

The interior was retrimmed in tan in 2022 and no longer reflects its original configuration. The odometer shows 56,000 miles, though it is marked as TMU, meaning the actual mileage cannot be verified. The listing also notes an aftermarket exhaust system and evidence of prior repairs to the floors.

One of the notable features is the dual-roof setup: alongside the black soft top, the car includes a removable hardtop. This configuration has historical precedent within the 356 range and adds flexibility in how the car can be used.

Compared with other Porsche 356B Cabriolets appearing at auction — some of which reach higher prices depending on originality and condition — this example sits in a middle ground. It combines documented factory history, supported by Kardex and original color, with practical updates and a “driver’s car” positioning rather than a concours-focused restoration.

This mix — early T5 specification, 1600S engine, factory color, verified numbers, and selective mechanical upgrades — helps explain the current bidding activity and suggests that interest may continue to develop as the auction approaches its close.