1961 Porsche 356B 1600 Roadster by Drauz - Estimate £170,000 - £180,000

Registration Number: 809 UYF
Chassis Number: 088885
Engine Number: 71040
Recorded Mileage: 2,300 kilometers (since restoration)

- European delivered from new, coachwork by Drauz of Heilbronn
- Comprehensively restored by marque specialist

From humble beginnings, Porsche’s 356 evolved into the car that established both Porsche and the 356 as industry icons. A class win at Le Mans in 1951 showed its capabilities, but it was the legendary New York dealer Max Hoffman who influenced the factory and made it desirable among wealthy American buyers. The new Speedster was introduced in 1954, being superseded in 1958 by the Convertible D by Drauz of Heilbronn, latterly to be developed into the 356B Roadster. Launched at the 1959 Frankfurt Show, the new 356B featured raised headlamps, a re-designed fuel tank for better luggage space, and a larger front boot lid. 

Not to be confused with a regular cabriolet, the Drauz-built Roadsters from 1959 to ‘61 are a direct descendant of a Speedster, with better instrumentation, more comfortable seats, and a proper convertible roof. A true sportscar of its time, whilst expressing the traditional Porsche values of quality, reliability and mechanical robustness, the Roadster features a sleeker silhouette, a lower, more attractive windscreen with the chrome surround (like a Speedster, built to be removable for sporting use), one-piece wind up windows, Speedster-style dashboard, no rear seats and a lighter single layer hood. It is estimated that only around 2,600 Roadster variants were built, with very few cars remaining. A sophisticated European sports car capable of a 115 mph top speed, the model attracted celebrities such as Steve McQueen and Janis Joplin.

Chassis 088885, a wonderful restored Drauz-bodied 356B Roadster, was assembled in late December of 1960. The 356 was delivered new in the following April to Roger M. Gibson of the 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, based at the Soesterberg Air Base in the Netherlands. The newly ordered Porsche was finished in Condor Yellow (6010B) with a black cloth interior, antenna, exterior mirror, ventilated chrome wheels and Continental tyres. 

The Roadster stayed in the region for the next 40 or so years until later being purchased in 2008 by a well known collector Mr. P. van Schevensteen of Belgium, who entrusted leading US-based specialist Classic Porsche Restoration of California to undertake a ‘body off’ nut and bolt restoration.

Completed in 2010, the newly restored Porsche was in Mr. van Schevensteen’s possession for only a few months until being sold by the family following his sad passing. The 356 was then acquired by a female enthusiast, remaining in Belgium until coming to the UK in recent years.

Beautifully finished in its original colour scheme, with a contrasting grey cord/black leather interior and black mohair hood, and supplied with seat belts, tonneau cover, Porsche Sport steering wheel and a black mohair soft-top, this truly outstanding example is offered complete with tool kit, Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, copy of original Kardex, UK V5C and an invoice for a recent major service. Showing a shade over 2,300 kilometres since restoration, this is surely one of the finest examples currently on offer. An exceptional opportunity to acquire a highly desirable variant of the definitive European sportscar of the period.

GERMAN WEEKEND
GERMAN MARQUE CLASSIC AND SUPERCARS
2 AUGUST 2025
2:00PM
AT FIVE ZEROS SUPERCARS, BRADFORD ON AVON, BA15 1TS

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Friday 1 August 10:00am - 6:00pm
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