Chassis No. 88247
Engine. No. 603382
Transmission No. 38884
A digital copy of its factory-issued Kardex warranty card shows that the world-famous Competition Motors dealership based in Hollywood, California, USA, sold this Roadster new to Jasmine Lay of Burbank on 26 September 1960. It was ordered in the rarely seen shade of Ätnablau (Aetna Blue 6003) with a Black upholstered interior and Firestone Phoenix tires. Karosseriewerke Drauz of Heilbronn, Germany produced 1,538 Roadsters in 1960, as researched Dr. Brett Johnson in his book The 356 Porsche. Wesley and Cherrie Morgan of Santa Ana acquired the car on 14 July 1967, as the California title issued that day shows. Remaining in California until 2009, its current owner brought it back across the Atlantic to Germany.
Classic Boxers of Erkrath, Germany, restored the desirable Roadster in 2014 and 2015 during the current owner's tenure. They stripped the entire body to a bare shell and refinished it in Aetna Blue, as specified originally. After completing the bodywork, they reinstalled the Red leather interior that the Morgans had retrimmed during their ownership. This work totaled more than €21.000 over nearly 350 hours of labor.
Since its restoration in Aetna Blue, the Roadster has been enjoyed and has benefited from regular service work. A major service in 2019 saw the removal of the matching-numbers engine and transmission to reseal both units while also replacing the clutch. Additionally, numerous suspension and brake components were replaced as needed throughout the years. An appraisal by Helko Frank of AS Classic Cars of Düsseldorf, Germany was completed in April 2024, stating that the Roadster is “in good, defect-free condition.”
Balancing the austerity of the Speedster with the added refinement found in the Cabriolet, 356 Roadsters have remained a prized choice among collectors ever since. Offered for just three model years between 1960 and 1962, the Roadster was always produced in far fewer numbers than the Coupes and Cabriolets. They are truly a do-it-all classic, capable of weekend trips, concours appearances, or an annual rally across the continent, making this remarkable example all the more enticing.
Documents: German Fahrzeugbrief
- Fuel
- Body Types
- Transmission
- Exterior Colour
- Number of doors
- Interior Colour
- VIN Code88247
