1957 Porsche 356 Speedster

The 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster was similar to many automobiles that were created-and sold by Porsche; instead of creating new models each year, Porsche had more of a tendency to-take an existing model and implement successive upgrades in different model years to build on a-successful platform.  The 356 Speedster had already made its foray into the American market and-the additional improvements helped the 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster to become the highest selling-example of the 356 line-up, selling almost 1200 units.

Building on the success of a lighter and better handling car, the 356 Speedster was-able to compete with its American competitors by being a little bit different.  The 1500 CC-engine was smaller in comparison, but the added weight that the larger engines had also contributed-to their lack of handling and the 356 Speedster was considered by many to be easier and more fun to-drive.  Additional improvements to the seats and other interior materials were implemented to-increase the comfort of the small Speedster.

The Porsche 356 Speedster was available in both a coupe model and a convertible and-it was designed for success in the American market.  The original body design by Erwin Komenda-was improved with suggestions from Max Hoffman who was the only distributor of Porsche automobiles-in America at the time.  It was on his suggestion that a smaller and lighter car should be-produced, and instead of starting from scratch they simply improved and already a successful-existing model.  By 1957, the Porsche 356A had been introduced and was known as the T2 by-automobile aficionados (standing for type 2).

It is difficult to say just how many 356 Speedsters are still around, but it is-well known in the automotive world for being very well preserved.  It seems that many people-were aware that this would be an iconic car even when it was introduced, and many have taken great-steps to preserve and restore them.  It is estimated that more than half of the original 356-Speedsters that were built are still around today, and for most cars sold at auction this would-reduce their values substantially.  In the case of the 356 Speedster, they continue to command-a significant value at auctions and many are sold for hundreds of thousands of-dollars.

Part of what made the 1957 Porsche 356 Speedsters so special were the design cues-that would later be used on the Porsche 901, which would later be called a 911.  This ended up-being one of the most iconic sports cars of all time, and it definitely owes some of its success to-the warm reception that the 356 Speedster got from both automobile critics and consumers-alike.

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