1959 Porsche 1600 GT Speedster by Reutter

Eight years after Porsche introduced the groundbreaking 356, the company unveiled the upgraded 356 A—an evolution that brought improved engineering, refined drivability and expanded performance across the model range. A key update was the introduction of the type 616/1 flat-4 used in the 356 A 1600. With a displacement of 1582cc and a higher compression ratio, it produced 60 HP. Buyers seeking more performance could opt for the type 616/2 in the 1600 Super, featuring a revised camshaft and Solex carburetors for a stronger 75 HP. Porsche also broadened the 356 A’s appeal to serious competitors by offering a detuned version of its exotic four-cam racing engine—an engine famously proven in the 550 Spyder, known as “The Giant Killer” for its ability to outrun larger and more powerful rivals. For drivers with true racing intentions, the 356 A Carrera could be ordered in GS touring or lightweight GT configuration.

All 356 A models benefitted from revised driveline mounting points and suspension improvements, which better paired the chassis with the era’s advancing tire technology. In 1957 Porsche introduced the “T2” (Type 2) variant, bringing further refinements including Zenith carburetors in place of Solex and the shift from roller-bearing to more conventional crankshafts on certain engines.

Visually, the 356 A retained the graceful lines of its predecessor, adding a curved windshield and updated dashboard while continuing to be offered in coupe, cabriolet and speedster body styles. The Reutter-built speedster remained the standout for competition use, thanks to its low windshield, minimalist cockpit and lightweight construction. At the top of the performance ladder sat the 1600 GT Carrera speedster, a highly focused machine combining the four-cam engine with weight-saving aluminum panels.

In 1959, Porsche quietly produced a handful of unusual—and today highly coveted—Super Speedsters. Built in full GT specification but fitted with the simpler, more serviceable 616/2 engine from the 1600 Super rather than the complex four-cam, these cars were designed with privateer racers in mind. They retained all the competition-oriented GT features: lightweight aluminum doors, front hood and engine lid, a larger fuel tank, uprated front brakes and a stripped interior. Only a very small number were built; most agree that only seven were ever produced by the factory, making them among the rarest 356 variants ever built.

The example offered here is one of those exceedingly scarce cars. Completed on January 8, 1959, it is believed to be one of as few as seven produced—four of which were ordered by Oakland Porsche dealer Carl Block. Block is said to have specified the unusual combination of GT trim with the 616/2 pushrod engine to offer Sports Car Club of America racers a lighter, simpler and more approachable alternative to the costly four-cam Carrera.

This Speedster later joined the distinguished collection of Los Angeles Times publisher Otis Chandler and was displayed for years in his Chandler Vintage Museum of Transportation and Wildlife in Oxnard, California. Following the dispersal of the museum in 2006, the car is reported to have passed to East Coast Porsche collector Frank Gallogly, then to Tony Peck of Long Island, with additional owners noted by the Porsche 356 Registry.

Crucially, a copy of the Kardex confirms that the installed type 616/2 engine is matching numbers. As one of exceptionally few lightweight GT Super Speedsters factory-built with this powerplant, this 1959 Porsche 356 A 1600 Super GT Speedster represents a rare opportunity to acquire a uniquely specified and historically significant example—an ideal addition for the discerning Porsche collector seeking one of the most unusual and desirable 356 variants ever produced.