Porsche 356 A 1600 Speedster

The vehicle in detail

1957 356 Speedster T1 A by Reutter

Cabriolets had been manufactured right from the start of 356 production, but the first open Porsche to make a significant impact was the Speedster, introduced in 1954 following the successful reception in the USA of a batch of 15 special roadsters. The Speedster was dropped in 1958 and replaced by the more civilised Convertible D, which differed principally by virtue of its larger windscreen and winding side windows. Porsche sub-contracted cabriolet body construction to a number of different coachbuilders including Drauz of Heilbronn, d’Ieteren of Brussels and, of course, Reutter. By the time the 356B arrived in September 1959, the car had gained a one-piece rounded windscreen and 15″-diameter wheels, and the newcomer’s introduction brought with it further styling revisions and an engine now standardised at 1,600cc.

In late 1955, with numerous small but significant changes, the 356A was introduced. Its internal factory designation, “Type 1”, gave rise to its nickname “T1” among enthusiasts. In early 1957 a second revision of the 356A was produced, known as Type 2 (or T2). Production of the Speedster peaked at 1,171 cars in 1957 and then started to decline.