1956 Porsche 356 Speedster SCCA Vintage Race/Street Car
Excellent Racing History With Logbooks and Photos Back to 1972, Extensive Documentation, 2500 Hour Rotisserie Restoration, Two Motors (One By Skirmants), Disk Brakes, 185HP
This 1956 Porsche 356 Speedster has been an SCCA racecar for quite some time, with logbooks dating back to 1972. The car was rotisserie restored from 1991-1993 (with receipts and photos) and has been maintained for vintage racing as well as street use. It is currently fitted with a Porsche 914 motor built up less than two years ago, which has virtually no time on it. It is reported to be making approximately 185HP. During the restoration the car was fitted with magnesium minilite wheels, disc brakes from a 356C with a dual master cylinder assembly, and nearly every other component on the car was replaced or rebuilt. The car also comes with an additional 1960 1600 Super motor rebuilt by legendary 356 motor builder Vic Skirmants (with receipt) that was running very well when put away several years ago.
Knowledge of the car's life and history is fairly complete. Manufactured on 12/21/56, it was imported and sold by Hoffman Porsche, New York. The car spent the first dozen or so years of its life wearing the original livery of aquamarine blue with beige leatherette. Towards the end of 1971 the car was converted to an E Production race car and owned by Ed Hartzell of Pittsburgh, Pa. Mr. Hartzell raced SCCA sanctioned Cumberland, Northeast Ohio Regional, Nelson Ledges, Watkins Glen Nationals, Bryan Nationals, Pocono Nationals and others in ‘72. In ‘73 ownership transferred to Mr. Larry Gross of Cedar Falls, Iowa. The car went on to compete Blackhawk Nationals in ’74, M.A.R and I.R.P in ’75. Mr. Gross transferred ownership to Mr. Peter Heckman in Illinois and in turn ownership transferred to Graydon(Grady) Ellis Jr. in ’76 and Mr. Ellis actively campaigned speedster in both SCCA and W.H.R.R.I. thru 1987. The car was driven by both Mr. Ellis and also by famed Porsche race motor builder Vic Skirmants. Early ’91 Mr. Ellis transferred ownership to well-noted 356 restorer and author of "Vintage Porsche 356 Restoration in Detail", Ron Roland. It was Roland who completed the full 2500 hour rotisserie restoration performed from 1991-3.
This is a unique Speedster. It has extraordinary street potential- 185hp in a car weighing 1700lbs. As such, it delivers a thrilling driving experience that cannot be found in a traditional Speedster. However, this car is not strictly an outlaw. It has excellent investment value given its excellent provenance and extensive documentation as an SCCA racecar. Moreover, should one want to return its appearance to stock, relatively little work would be required. The addition of a period 356 motor built by renowned 356 engine guru Vic Skirmants further enhances the value. Being a 1956, the car is eligible for nearly every event, from the Mille Miglia Storica and Monte Carlo Historics to the Colorado Grand, the Carrera Panamericana and the Copperstate 1000.
The car comes with the spare 1600 S motor, top (fits over roll cage) and sidecurtains, certificate of authenticity and all receipts, logbooks and paperwork.
Please use the "contact us" box at the bottom of the page for more info on this car.
Knowledge of the car's life and history is fairly complete. Manufactured on 12/21/56, it was imported and sold by Hoffman Porsche, New York. The car spent the first dozen or so years of its life wearing the original livery of aquamarine blue with beige leatherette. Towards the end of 1971 the car was converted to an E Production race car and owned by Ed Hartzell of Pittsburgh, Pa. Mr. Hartzell raced SCCA sanctioned Cumberland, Northeast Ohio Regional, Nelson Ledges, Watkins Glen Nationals, Bryan Nationals, Pocono Nationals and others in ‘72. In ‘73 ownership transferred to Mr. Larry Gross of Cedar Falls, Iowa. The car went on to compete Blackhawk Nationals in ’74, M.A.R and I.R.P in ’75. Mr. Gross transferred ownership to Mr. Peter Heckman in Illinois and in turn ownership transferred to Graydon(Grady) Ellis Jr. in ’76 and Mr. Ellis actively campaigned speedster in both SCCA and W.H.R.R.I. thru 1987. The car was driven by both Mr. Ellis and also by famed Porsche race motor builder Vic Skirmants. Early ’91 Mr. Ellis transferred ownership to well-noted 356 restorer and author of "Vintage Porsche 356 Restoration in Detail", Ron Roland. It was Roland who completed the full 2500 hour rotisserie restoration performed from 1991-3.
This is a unique Speedster. It has extraordinary street potential- 185hp in a car weighing 1700lbs. As such, it delivers a thrilling driving experience that cannot be found in a traditional Speedster. However, this car is not strictly an outlaw. It has excellent investment value given its excellent provenance and extensive documentation as an SCCA racecar. Moreover, should one want to return its appearance to stock, relatively little work would be required. The addition of a period 356 motor built by renowned 356 engine guru Vic Skirmants further enhances the value. Being a 1956, the car is eligible for nearly every event, from the Mille Miglia Storica and Monte Carlo Historics to the Colorado Grand, the Carrera Panamericana and the Copperstate 1000.
The car comes with the spare 1600 S motor, top (fits over roll cage) and sidecurtains, certificate of authenticity and all receipts, logbooks and paperwork.
Please use the "contact us" box at the bottom of the page for more info on this car.
