Auctions are akin to mini car shows with some impressively rare automotive specimens on display. Amelia Island Concours Week, being a major spring car show and sales event, often brings out some of the best cars and all 3 auction houses offered previews to examine lots before placing bids.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to inspect automotive art up close, whether an enthusiast or a potential buyer. Regardless, admiring a car in photos and observing the same vehicle in person can surprise you. Some of the roughest cars photograph well, but disappoint to the naked eye and vice-versa.

Today’s good find Friday is one of the latter, stunning examples. This 1957 Porsche 356 Carrera Speedster is one of less than 90 cars built to “GS/GT” specification. Designed for racing, the factory upgraded the already stripped-down standard Speedster with larger brake drums, lightweight wheels, extended-range fuel tank and an even more minimal interior. 

The car has an interesting history, having been found in Philadelphia in the 80s missing its original engine and in poor condition. Restored over a period of 30 years by a number of specialists, including the late 4-cam expert Billy Doyle, the car was finally finished in 2012. 

Unfortunately a fire damaged the car, and it was fully restored once again by the famed John Willhoit. The work carried out is truly exceptional. The body gaps are flawless, its paintwork is perfect and you can be assured that this Speedster in excellent operating condition. 

The Ernst Furhmann-designed engine is one of the most complex powerplants ever fitted to a Porsche and it dominated small displacement sports car racing in the 50s. When standard engines in 356s of the period were putting out only 70 horsepower, the 4-cylinder 4-cam air-cooled boxer engine in the Carrera delivered 110. That may not sound like much today, but in a car that weighs well under a ton, it scoots.

This beautiful car was on view during Gooding & Company’s auction preview, and as the viewing tents emptied when bidding started, Wolf and Mare had a chance to inspect the car without distraction.

It’s a mystery to me as to why this car remains unsold. Gooding’s sell-through-rate was solid for similar special cars during the weekend, but this was one of the few cars that did not meet its reserve. 1957 Carrera Speedsters in excellent condition are valued at around $1.5M and as a blue-chip Porsche, prices are stable.

We can think of a few things that may have held it back. The engine is not original to the car, but many 4-cam cars had their engines removed in period when they required major overhauls, as the work is very specialized. It’s presented in an original, but somewhat staid, white over black combination. This car lacks the additions made to later Carrera GT/GS cars: alloy movable panels to further lighten the car, plus distinctive louvered decklids that improved cooling.

Bid to $1,000,000 and not meeting the seller’s reserve, this beautifully restored Porsche 356 Speedster is now in Gooding & Company’s “still for sale” corral. Now asking a very reasonable $1.4M, this car deserves a new owner who can look past the car’s “flaws” and appreciate its history as one of Porsche’s most iconic models from its formative years as a racing and sports car giant.

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisal and auction services for sellers and buyers of collector European cars. Give us a call or drop us a line!