Introduced in 1962, the 2000 GS – or Carrera 2 – was created to meet customer demand for a four-cam Porsche with greater midrange power and torque. The early four-cam engines, with their roller-bearing crankshafts, produced power high in the rpm range, a characteristic acceptable for the lightweight Spyder models; however, for a 356-based sports car, greater displacement was needed to remain competitive.
At the heart of the 2000 GS was the new two-liter type 587 engine, which, in its various iterations, represented the ultimate development of the Ernst Fuhrmann-designed four-cam. Benefiting from a reinforced crankcase, shellstyle engine bearings, redesigned heads, larger bore, and increased cooling capacity, the type 587 engine produced 130 hp in GS specification and over 150 hp in GT tune.
In all, approximately 300 examples of the Carrera 2 were built during B-series production, with an additional 100 or so built as C-series cars. Although most Carrera 2s were built in coupe form, Porsche also offered the 2000 GS as a glamorous cabriolet. Just 107 Carrera 2 Cabriolets were built – 77 in B specification, featuring Porsche’s annular disc brakes, and a final 30 in C specification, fitted with the improved ATE disc brake system.
As documented in Rolf Sprenger and Steve Heinrichs’ definitive book Carrera, this 2000 GS Cabriolet, chassis 159571, is among this extremely rare breed of late-production C-series cars. According to a copy of the factory Kardex, this car was originally finished in the elegant color combination of Elfenbein (Ivory) over green leather, the same as it wears today.
Completed on October 10, 1963, the Carrera 2 was shipped to Max Hoffman Imports in New York for delivery to its first owners at Zephyr Tool Company in Covington, New York. According to the Kardex, its second owner was Bruce Deihl of Hillsdale, New York, and the Porsche is listed as receiving attention by factory dealers eight times, with the last being on October 20, 1965.
Significantly, this Carrera 2 retains its matching-numbers engine per accompanying Porsche build records, a rarity with 356 Carrera models. Previously owned by an Italian collector, it was acquired by the consignor via Cremonini Carrozzeria of Modena in 2019. Beautifully presented in its rare, original color scheme, it is accompanied by a tool kit and copies of both its factory Kardex and Porsche Certificate of Authenticity.
Gooding & Company is honored to present this magnificent Carrera 2 Cabriolet and recommends it to any collector looking to acquire a significant example of the legendary four-cam Porsche.
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