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This One-Off Aluminum-Bodied 356 Cabriolet Baffles Even Porsche Experts

Even back in the early fifties, the 356 1500 Pre-A Cabriolet was a rare sight, since Porsche only built a handful of them. Some have survived to this day, yet an ivory-colored one stands out due to the uniqueness of its all-aluminum bodywork and mysterious past.
Aluminum Body Porsche 356 1500 Pre-A Cabriolet 6 photos
Photo: Markus Bolsinger, first published in the magazine "Porsche Klassik 16"
Porsche 356 1500 Pre-A CabrioletPorsche 356 1500 Pre-A CabrioletPorsche 356 1500 Pre-A CabrioletPorsche 356 1500 Pre-A CabrioletPorsche 356 1500 Pre-A Cabriolet
Created by Ferdinand ‘Ferry’ Porsche, the son of the company’s founder, the 356 was the first production car to use the Porsche badge. It took to the road for the first time in 1948 and was produced across four generations in 76,313 units until 1965.

One of them found its way back to Porsche years ago for a complete restoration process. It is part of only 394 Pre-A Cabriolets built in 1953, making it extremely rare. Still, what makes it even more special is its unique aluminum body that is shrouded in mystery.

Built by Karosseriewerke Reutter, it’s a strange finding since only a few early 356 coupes were fitted with handcrafted aluminum bodies. When production moved to Germany in 1950, all cars left the assembly line with steel bodies, including the cabriolets.

Porsche 356 1500 Pre\-A Cabriolet
Photo: Markus Bolsinger
Aluminum bodies have been traditionally used to make cars – particularly race cars - lighter and more agile, but to use one on an open-top 356 made no apparent sense.

The Porsche staff was so intrigued by this car that they commenced a full investigation to answer one simple question: ‘Why?’ They intensively researched the archives of Porsche and Reutter but weren’t able to find an answer.

They did manage to uncover that the car was delivered to the well-known Porsche dealer in Frankfurt in July 1952, but little is known about its early history.

It surfaced again in the UK back in the ‘70s, when it was offered in Gloucester for a price of £1,000. “Historic and unique Porsche Cabriolet Type 356,” read the ad. “Aluminium body specially built to single order by Reutter, Zuffenhausen, March 1953, unmarked white paintwork, new grey interior trimming, new red upholstery, and new black hood, all to original standards.”

Porsche 356 1500 Pre\-A Cabriolet
Photo: Markus Bolsinger
The reasons behind its creation still remain a matter of speculation, though. In the original story first published in the Porsche Klassik 16 magazine back in 2019, experts theorized that “a member of the Association of Mechanical Engineers (VdM), founded in Cologne in 1892, ordered the car in this configuration, perhaps wanting to investigate whether small-scale aluminum production might be worthwhile.” However, this cannot be backed up by solid evidence.

The car eventually made its way back to Germany, where its current owner purchased it on condition that he would one day restore it and not use it as a speculative investment.

Fortunately, he kept his promise, and in 2013, the unique 356 was handed over to a team headed by famous engineer Rolf Sprenger, the creator of the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur department, which brings historical models back to life.

Porsche 356 1500 Pre\-A Cabriolet
Photo: Markus Bolsinger
Restoring it was a colossal task, mainly because the car was daily driven but also because its one-off body presents many distinctive challenges.

After an initial stock-take, it was clear that this unique vehicle had to be completely dismantled,” recalls Sprenger, “and although the car was complete, we naturally had to overhaul every part and check that it was working properly.

It took the team six years of painstaking work to bring this unique piece of Porsche heritage back to mint condition, and as the photos can attest, it was well worth it. It gets to live on and tell its fascinating story to future generations, and we hope that its origins can be eventually uncovered.
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About the author: Vlad Radu
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Vlad's first car was custom coach built: an exotic he made out of wood, cardboard and a borrowed steering wheel at the age of five. Combining his previous experience in writing and car dealership years, his articles focus in depth on special cars of past and present times.
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