If you’ll pardon the strange introduction, this is not the car I was originally going to feature. I was going to feature one of my favorite color combinations on any Porsche (though we typically only see it on the 356): Slate Grey over a Red interior. That listing was removed so it was time to find something else. But it made me search for another Roadster and while this one isn’t quite as awesome of a combination, damn does it look good. Here we have a restored Ivory 1961 Porsche 356B 1600 Roadster again with a Red interior. These colors possess a pretty stark contrast with one another, but work quite well. And there are so many little hand wrought details on these cars that we can pore over for hours. When such details find themselves on the lines of the 356 Roadster then the appeal jumps up all the more. The Roadster was Porsche’s replacement for the Convertible D, which in turn had replaced the Speedster as the pared down version of the 356 Cabriolet. The Speedster it seems was a little too spartan, especially with regard to the windshield, so the Convertible D and Roadster added a little back to the car. Though by modern standards any 356 still remains very spartan.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1961 Porsche 356B 1600 Roadster on Hemmings Motor News
Year: 1961
Model: 356B Roadster
Engine: 1.6 liter flat-4
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: 227 mi
Price: $179,995 Buy It Now
1961 Porsche 356B T5 Roadster
Chassis no. 89204
Engine no. 606137• Recently fully restored car and rebuilt 1600cc engine to original specification
• Four-speed matching manual transmission• Matching numbers example
• Low term current ownership
• Recent service
• Rare Belgian-bodied Roadster by D’IeterenAmong Porsche 356 aficionados, one of the most desirable models is the early 1960s “B” Roadster crafted by the Belgian coachbuilding firm of D’Ieteren Freres.
Not many examples of these beautiful little open-tops were produced, just 473 on the T5 chassis (some begun by Drauz, builder of the Convertible D) and 249 on the succeeding T6 with its revised body. Presented here is an exceptionally restored driver D’Ieteren T5 “single-grille” Roadster from 1961. Under the same ownership since the early 1990’s it was loved by the family until it underwent an extensive frame off rotisserie restoration started in 2002 to be finished in May of 2015. Having done only 227 miles since the restoration and is ready for much more enjoyment with a new custodian.
Factory optional extras include rare:
Ash trey
Cigar lighter
Reclining seats
This exceptional numbers-matching, D’Ieteren Roadster is offered with a Certificate of Authenticity, jack, tool kit, and spare. Please contact us with any questions of for a shipping quote.
I always marvel somewhat at the way the 356 market is so all over the place. Basic Coupes can be found a good bit below $100K while Speedsters and Roadster easily venture above $300K and there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot in between, though Cabriolets do tend to out value the Coupes. Much of that comes down to the very high demand for certain collectible models, but it’s still something that always shocks me. I suppose it’s not too different from the 911 market, but for whatever reason it feels different. This one, however, does manage to find that middle ground that is so fleeting. That doesn’t make it inexpensive by any means, in fact it’s quite expensive even if not priced at the top of the market for a Roadster. This 356 very pretty, abounds with vintage style, and appears to come with some supporting documentation. Perhaps not enough to support the price, but at least something to make a nice starting point. On what is shaping up to be a refreshing fall day a drive in a 356 Roadster would be just the thing!
-Rob
