Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 Speedster

The vehicle in detail

Chassis 80863 was purchased new from Anderson Motors, a Porsche & VW dealership in San Jose, California by Richard Mathews in 1955. He subsequently sold the car to William Grierson in 1972 who would go onto to own it for 40 years. The car was sold to him with the engine removed and stripped which is how it remained for the entirety of his 45 years of ownership.

Mr Grierson clearly intended to rebuild and use the car as he continued to pay the annual registration until 1977, the original receipts for which are still with the car to this day. In 2017, the current owner achieved his lifelong dream of owning a Porsche Speedster, specifically a Pre-A in original condition, when he found this car. Having failed to find what he wanted through the usual sources, he placed an advertisement on an enthusiasts’ forum and was rewarded a couple of months later with the details of this car.

The car was in exceptional condition, with all the original engine components and the car’s spares intact after the period in dry storage. It was imported to the UK whereupon 356 experts PRS Services rebuilt the engine and overhauled the brakes. It has had a sheltered life since, albeit with regular use on good days.

The car has obviously been repainted once, most probably in the 60’s in its original colour of Speedster White, however, evidence of the original paint remains in the door shuts, hinge plates and engine compartment. The car maintains its full matching numbers – engine, gearbox, engine lid, luggage comp lid and doors – and its original upholstery to the seats, doors and dash. Furthermore, numerous original and rare items remain such as the 1955 one year only jack, full toolkit, Pre A handbook and car care hand book, with Speedster pull out supplement / diagrams.

This is one of those rare cars that you feel fortunate to see or drive. It has the most attractive patina as a result of its history and presents today much as it must have in the early 1970s.

It is often said that original condition is more desirable than restored and, in this case, we wholeheartedly agree. The historical authenticity and significance of this car is one thing but we cannot think of another car that we have seen recently with so much cool charm, ready to be used and enjoyed.