Rare 1955 356 Pre-A Speedster uncovered on a US farm becomes a preservation-class gem.
A rust-covered Porsche that spent decades hidden away on a farm has sold for an astonishing £393,750 at auction.
The 1955 356 Pre-A 1500 Speedster – one of the rarest and most collectable models in Porsche history – was discovered in a barn in Ohio, where it had remained with the same family for 70 years.
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Famed for its association with icons like James Dean and Steve McQueen, the 356 Speedster is a highly sought-after model, with Pre-A examples among the most desirable of all.
Following its discovery, the car was carefully recovered and preserved by California-based Porsche specialists European Collectables.
Their focus was on recommissioning the car while retaining as much originality as possible.
Mechanically, the Speedster was found to be in remarkable condition, still carrying its original matching-numbers engine and gearbox.
The engine only required new piston rings, while auxiliary components were refurbished and the gearbox rebuilt.
Safety-critical elements like brakes, bushes and bearings were renewed, but the car retained its original panels, VIN tags, dashboard, gauges and much of its trim.
Traces of an early silver respray remain on the bodywork, but the barn find largely wears its patina proudly, with carefully aged replacements used for carpets and seats.
With around 60,000 miles on the clock before it was retired in 1962, the Porsche has since been invited to prestigious concours events worldwide in its rare preservation-class condition.
Sold by Iconic Auctioneers at Silverstone on 23 August, the £393,750 hammer price underlines just how valuable authenticity remains in the classic car market.
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