Conceived in 1955 at the urging of influential Porsche importer Max Hoffman, the 356 Speedster was developed specifically for the American market, where lightweight performance sports cars were finding an increasingly enthusiastic audience.

Stripped back, lower in profile and more focused in character than the standard 356, the Speedster quickly earned a reputation for its exceptional balance, agility and driver engagement. Initially powered by Porsche’s 1500cc flat-four engine, the model evolved significantly with the introduction of the more powerful 1600cc unit in late 1956, alongside improvements to the transmission and suspension. The result was one of the most iconic and enduring sports cars of the post-war era — equally at home on the road, the racetrack or concours lawn.
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Completed in January 1958, Chassis No. 84114 was delivered new to the United States through Hoffman Motors of New York, specified in striking Ruby Red with sealed-beam headlamps and a miles-per-hour tachometer. The Speedster was retailed on 30 April 1958 by Continental Auto Sales & Service Inc. of Los Angeles to Jerome R. Long of Louisiana for the sum of $2,956.47, with the original sales invoice remaining on file today.
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Mr Long retained the car for some twenty years before it passed, in June 1978, to respected Porsche 356 specialist Weldon Scrogham of G&W Sales and Service. Shortly thereafter, the Speedster was acquired by noted Porsche collector and racing driver Jamey Mazzotta of Bella Vista, California. In September 1986, Mazzotta sold the car directly to celebrated hot rod revivalist and vintage racer Don Orosco of Fresno, California.
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A year later, in October 1987, Orosco entered into an agreement with Crosthwaite & Gardiner founder Dick Crosthwaite, exchanging the Speedster for a Brabham BT14 Formula Libre racing car. Imported to the United Kingdom shortly thereafter, the Porsche has remained in the same ownership ever since — an extraordinary continuity of stewardship spanning nearly four decades.
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Internationally respected for their work on some of the world’s most significant historic competition machinery, Crosthwaite & Gardiner are renowned specialists in the restoration and recreation of pre-war Grand Prix cars, notably serving as official constructors for Audi Tradition’s celebrated “Silver Arrow” programme.
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Between 2008 and 2010, the Speedster benefited from a comprehensive restoration programme undertaken by Crosthwaite & Gardiner. The work included extensive refurbishment of the chassis, braking system, wheels, gearbox and associated mechanical components. The body and paintwork were entrusted to marque authority Roger Bray, while the engine was rebuilt in our own workshop here. Importantly, the original matching-numbers 1600cc Type 616/1 engine (No. 67814) was carefully removed and preserved, with a later engine case professionally constructed to 1720cc specification to provide enhanced torque and drivability while safeguarding the original unit.
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Following restoration, the car achieved notable concours success, appearing between 2012 and 2015 at prestigious events including PCGB Castle Hedingham, Salon Privé, Coys at Blenheim Palace and the Richard Mille Art & Élégance at Chantilly, France.
Today, the Speedster is offered complete with full hood, side screens and tonneau cover, and further benefits from a later ZF steering box, GT-specification front brake drums and a highly desirable set of rare Rudge wheels.
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An exceptionally well-documented and meticulously restored example, Chassis No. 84114 represents a rare opportunity to acquire a left-hand-drive Porsche 356 A Speedster with continuous long-term ownership, distinguished provenance and an accompanying history file documenting its life from new. Supplied with UK registration, it stands as an outstanding and highly usable example of one of Porsche’s most celebrated models.


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