Porsche special models · 1954–1958

Porsche 356 Speedster: History, Production & Specs

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The 356 Speedster is the stripped-down open 356 that Porsche built from autumn 1954 to 1958 at the urging of US importer Max Hoffman. It sold for $2,995 in the US. Porsche says 1,234 Pre-A Speedsters were built in 1954–1955; the 1957 Carrera GT Speedster made 110 PS and passed 200 km/h.

The Speedster was built for the American market. Max Hoffman, Porsche's importer in New York, wanted a cheaper open Porsche for under $3,000, and in autumn 1954 Porsche delivered it: the steel cabriolet body with a low, raked windshield, a basic rain top, side curtains instead of roll-up windows and bucket seats. In the US the 356 1500 Speedster cost $2,995, and it caught on quickly with weekend racers, especially in the sunny coastal states.

Its forerunner was the 1952 356 1500 America Roadster, a hand-built aluminum car made in very small numbers. The Speedster carried on into the 356 A era with 1600 and 1600 Super versions, built by Reutter in Zuffenhausen, and peaked in 1957 with the 356 A 1500 GS Carrera GT Speedster and its four-cam engine. James Dean was among the drivers who raced a 356 Speedster.

356 Speedster history, year by year

  1. 1952 — The hand-built aluminum 356 1500 America Roadster, developed for the US, sets the template: slot-in side windows, a folding emergency top and light bucket seats.[1],[2]
  2. 1954 — At Max Hoffman's request, Porsche launches the 356 1500 Speedster in autumn; it costs $2,995 in the US.[1],[2]
  3. 1954–1955 — 1,234 Pre-A Speedsters are built, only about a sixth of them in the first year.[3]
  4. 1956 — With the 356 A, the Speedster is offered as the 1600 and 1600 Super (75 PS).[4],[5]
  5. 1957 — The 356 A 1500 GS Carrera GT Speedster's four-cam engine makes 110 PS; it is the first Porsche production model to reach 200 km/h.[1],[2]
  6. 1957 — Some of the last Speedster bodies are built at Reutter in Stuttgart in December and shipped to Hoffman in New York.[5]
  7. 1958 — Speedster production ends with the 1958 model year; it is replaced by the Convertible D.[4],[6]

How many 356 Speedsters were made?

Porsche 356 Speedster years and production figures. ≈ marks an approximate figure.
Model / variantYearsUnitsWhat the figure counts
356195221[1]total built
356 Pre-A Speedster1954–19551,234[3]Porsche Newsroom figure; about one sixth were built in the first year with the 1500 engine.
356 Speedster (all years)1954–19584,854[6]Secondary-source total; we did not find a Porsche-published figure for all Speedster years combined.

Road-car totals for every Porsche model: Porsche production numbers.

Porsche 356 Speedster specs

Key Porsche 356 Speedster specifications as published by the cited sources.
Launch price (US)$2,995 (356 1500 Speedster)[1],[2]
BodySteel cabriolet-based body with low raked windshield, emergency soft top and side curtains; bodies built by Reutter[2],[5]
356 A 1600 Super Speedster engine1,582 cc four-cylinder boxer, two Solex 40 PBIC carburetors[5]
356 A 1600 Super Speedster power55 kW / 75 hp at 5,000 rpm; 117 Nm at 3,700 rpm[5]
356 A 1600 Super Speedster performance0–100 km/h in 14.5 s; 175 km/h top speed[5]
Carrera GT Speedster (1957)1.5-liter four-cam (vertical-shaft) engine, 110 PS; first Porsche production model to reach 200 km/h[1],[2]
Years builtAutumn 1954 to 1958 (356 A Speedsters 1956–1958)[2],[4]

What made the 356 Speedster significant

  • The Speedster came from Max Hoffman's push for an inexpensive Porsche for American buyers, and Porsche credits Hoffman with the car's creation.[2],[7]
  • It was the first Porsche to carry the Speedster name, which Porsche has since revived on the 911 in 1988, 1993, 2010 and 2019.[2],[8]
  • The 1957 Carrera GT Speedster was the first Porsche production model to break 200 km/h.[1]
  • Porsche's own sources disagree on the America Roadster: one Porsche release says 21 were built, another says 16.[1],[2]

What to check before you buy a 356 Speedster

  • Get a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity to confirm the chassis number, engine number, original color and that the car left the factory as a Speedster.
  • Assume replicas exist until proven otherwise. Fiberglass Speedster replicas and coupes or cabriolets converted to Speedster bodies are common, so check the chassis number, body number and factory details with a 356 specialist.
  • Look for a matching-numbers engine and confirm which engine the car was built with (1500, 1600, 1600 Super or four-cam Carrera); many Speedsters were raced and re-engined.[5]
  • Ask for period race history and paperwork. Many Speedsters were used for club racing, which can add value when documented and hides damage when not.[5]
  • Pay for a specialist inspection for rust and earlier repairs in the floors, longitudinals, battery box and door bottoms.

Confirm how a 356 Speedster left the factory.

The Porsche 356 Speedster predates the 17-character VIN, so a VIN build sheet cannot cover it. Porsche's own record for these cars is the Certificate of Authenticity, now called the Production Specification. The guide explains what it shows and how to order one.

Porsche Certificate of Authenticity guide

Porsche 356 Speedster FAQ

How many Porsche 356 Speedsters were made?

Porsche says 1,234 Pre-A Speedsters were built in 1954–1955. For all years through 1958, secondary sources give a total of 4,854; we did not find a Porsche-published figure for the full run.

What years was the 356 Speedster made?

From autumn 1954 to 1958. The 356 A Speedster (1600 and 1600 Super) was built from 1956 to 1958, after which the Convertible D replaced it.

How much did a 356 Speedster cost new?

The 356 1500 Speedster cost $2,995 in the US, in line with Max Hoffman's request for an open Porsche under $3,000.

What was the America Roadster?

The 1952 356 1500 America Roadster was a hand-built aluminum car for the US market and the forerunner of the Speedster. Porsche sources give 21 built, though one Porsche release says 16.

Which was the fastest 356 Speedster?

The 1957 356 A 1500 GS Carrera GT Speedster. Its four-cam engine made 110 PS, and Porsche says it was the first Porsche production model to reach 200 km/h.

Related Porsche specials and race cars

Porsche history, specs and production research

Sources

Dates, production counts, specifications and results on this page come from the sources below. Where sources disagree, the page says so or uses Porsche's own figure.

  1. There can only be two — Porsche Newsroom
  2. Porsche Speedster: driving pleasure for more than six decades — Porsche Newsroom
  3. The pursuit of period perfection — Porsche Newsroom
  4. Model 356 A | Porsche USA — Porsche
  5. Proof of life — Porsche Newsroom
  6. Porsche 356 — Wikipedia (secondary reference)
  7. Seventy years of style — Porsche Newsroom
  8. New 911 Speedster goes into production — Porsche Newsroom

Independent reference published by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Porsche, 911, Carrera and Speedster are trademarks of their owner.