Bearing chassis no. 80881, this Porsche 356 1500 Speedster is a rare “Pre-A” model, of which just 1,234 were built during 1954–55. As recorded in the original warranty policy, this Speedster’s first owner was Richard Seike of San Francisco. After collecting his new Porsche in Paris via French distributor Sonauto, Mr. Seike, an active member of the San Francisco Sports Car Club, participated in many local concours, auto shows, and rallies throughout the late 1950s. Most notably, the Speedster was exhibited at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® in 1957, where it placed Third in Class B for Two-Seater Sports Cars, $2,500–$4,500.
The Speedster remained in the Seike family’s ownership until 1999, when it was sold to the current owner – a connoisseur with an appreciation for unrestored sports cars. Now in the second owner’s care for more than two decades, the Porsche has always been kept in the San Francisco Bay Area and benefited from proper maintenance, including an engine rebuild carried out in 2010 by Pacific Performance of San Mateo, California. Its only showing under current ownership took place back in 2004, when it was invited to participate in the Porsche Speedster 50th Anniversary event held at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California.
Today, the Speedster remains in marvelously original and intact condition, its Reutter bodywork repainted once in the correct Signal Red, but still retaining its beautifully patinated red-piped black vinyl upholstery and square weave carpeting – as well as its soft top and side curtains. The original data tags are still affixed and both hood and deck lid are properly stamped with the last digits of the chassis number. The engine is the matching-numbers Type 546/2 1500 unit, and even the original 1955-dated wheels accompany the car, still wearing period Continental tires.
The Speedster brims with charming period details throughout: a fiberglass hardtop with sliding Plexiglas side windows, an original Oxford Motors key fob, vintage Motorola radio, headlight grilles, and a custom badge bar attesting to its European tour. The dashboard and fuel tank are covered with event badges dating from the mid-to-late 1950s and the Porsche still wears its 1963-issued California black-and-yellow license plates. Contained in the red paper Porsche envelope is the original stamped service book, Reutter body maintenance booklet, Sonauto service pamphlet, and DETA battery guarantee – all dating from Mr. Seike’s purchase in 1955. A proper tool kit accompanies the Porsche, as do rarely seen features like the Speedster-specific canvas spare tire strap and plug-in cigarette lighter. One of the most appealing Porsche 356s we at Gooding & Company have ever seen, this unrestored “Pre-A” Speedster is a fantastic time capsule from the romantic sports car scene that blossomed in California throughout the 1950s.
*Please note that this vehicle is titled 1956 and by its engine number. Please also note that this vehicle has been accepted to the Mille Miglia’s Warm Up USA Event in November 2023, subject to registration and payment of entry fee.
Oak Knoll Concours, 1956 (Second in Class)
Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance, 1956 (First in Class)
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, 1957 (Third in Class)
San Francisco International Auto Show, 1957
Sports Cars Unlimited Concours, 1958
Stockton Road Races Concours d’Elegance, 1958
Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance, 1958
Palo Alto Concours d’Elegance, 1958
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