Auction DateL: 31 May 2026, 10:00 EDT
Coachwork by Reutter
Chassis no. 101385
Engine no. P90156/ 751397* (refer to catalog)
Estimate: US$500,000 - US$700,000/£370,000 - £520,000
Lot to be sold without reserve
Finished in its original colors of Aquamarine Blue over Black leatherette with Grey Corduroy inserts
1,582cc Type 547/1 Four-Cam DOHC Flat-Four Engine
Dual Weber Carburetors
Approximately 110–115bhp at 6,400rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Torsion Bar Suspension
Rear Swing Axle Suspension
Four-Wheel Drum Brakes
* Presented in rare factory-correct Aquamarine Blue over black leatherette upholstery with contrasting gray corduroy inserts
* One of Porsche's highly coveted and competition-focused four-cam Carrera GT models, produced in exceptionally limited numbers
* Subject to a meticulous concours-level restoration completed over more than 15 years, with fewer than 10 miles recorded since completion
* Accompanied by Type 547/3 four-cam engine no. P90156/666, originally fitted to a 1960 Porsche RS-60 Werks Prototype Spyder, chassis no. 044, while currently fitted with a rebuilt 1,582cc pushrod engine (Engine no. 751937) for testing and tuning purposes
* Documented by its Porsche Kardex warranty card, Reutter body record, factory production documentation, and fascinating Cuban competition history dating to 1958
THE 356 A CARRERA GT
Introduced during the mid-1950s, the Porsche 356 Carrera GT represented the most competition-focused evolution of the marque's already formidable 356 platform. Developed to homologate Porsche's lightweight racing technology for road and rally use, the Carrera GT combined reduced weight, purposeful equipment, and the revolutionary four-cam Type 547 engine derived directly from Porsche's motorsport program.
At the heart of the Carrera GT was Ernst Fuhrmann's sophisticated four-cam flat-four engine, a remarkably advanced design for its era. Compact, high-revving, and mechanically intricate, the engine transformed the 356 into one of the most capable small-displacement sports cars of the 1950s. In GT specification, the Carrera benefited from increased performance tuning and lightweight construction, allowing the model to excel in endurance rallies, hill climbs, and international road racing competition.
Visually understated yet highly purposeful, the Carrera GT could be distinguished by lightweight bucket seats, simplified interior appointments, competition instrumentation, and reduced sound insulation. Beneath its elegant Reutter-built coachwork, the GT offered a uniquely engaging driving experience characterized by sharp handling, remarkable balance, and a free-revving competition engine unlike anything else available in a contemporary production sports car.
Produced in exceptionally limited numbers, the Carrera GT remains among the rarest and most coveted variants of the Porsche 356 lineage today. Its direct connection to Porsche's early motorsport success—including the legendary 550 Spyder and the marque's victories in events such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, and Carrera Panamericana—has cemented the Carrera GT's reputation as one of the most historically significant and desirable early Porsche road cars ever produced.
THE CAR OFFERED
Finished in its rare and highly distinctive factory-correct shade of Aquamarine Blue over black leatherette upholstery with contrasting gray corduroy inserts, this 1957 Porsche 356 A Carrera GT represents one of the most desirable and competition-focused variants of the legendary four-cam Carrera lineage. Produced in exceptionally limited numbers, the Carrera GT was conceived as a lightweight homologation model intended for rallying and international motorsport competition, combining reduced weight with Porsche's advanced Type 547 four-cam engine technology.
According to its accompanying Porsche Kardex warranty record and factory documentation, chassis 101385 was completed on August 9, 1957, and delivered new through Intercaribbean of Cuba to its first owner, a Cuban lawyer and gentleman racing driver. During 1958, the Carrera reportedly enjoyed a successful local competition career, earning numerous victories in period Cuban racing events before being sold and exported to the United States in 1959 through Jacksonville, Florida. Following this early history, the car largely disappeared from public view for several decades before resurfacing in the early 2000s.
Acquired by the current owner as a largely complete restoration project, though without its original engine, the Carrera GT subsequently became the subject of an extraordinarily detailed long-term restoration effort spanning more than fifteen years. Determined to return the car as faithfully as possible to original Carrera GT factory specifications, the owner conducted extensive research throughout the United States and Europe, personally inspecting original Carrera examples while also interviewing former managers from several Porsche factory departments. Additional research was conducted through access to factory records and documentation, much of which was later shared through the 356 Registry. Much of the restoration itself was completed in-house to an exceptionally high standard, with careful attention paid to preserving the authentic appearance, finishes, and competition-focused character of the model.
Most significantly, the current owner undertook a lengthy search for a suitable period-correct four-cam engine, ultimately locating and acquiring the rare Type 547/3 engine no. P90156/666, originally fitted to a 1960 Porsche RS-60 Werks Prototype Spyder, chassis 044. Developed during Porsche's highly successful Spyder racing program, these sophisticated prototype four-cam engines played an important role in the marque's ongoing competition development efforts during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Acquired as a complete and reportedly running engine, subsequent disassembly confirmed that its major components remained original, matching-numbered, providing an exceptional foundation for the project. The inclusion of this historically significant engine greatly enhances the car's appeal and represents an extraordinary companion piece to the Carrera GT.
Over time, the acquisition of the 547/3 engine gradually transformed the owner's vision for the project itself. While the restoration initially focused on returning the GT Coupe as closely as possible to original factory specifications, the owner ultimately embraced a broader philosophy inspired by Porsche's continual pursuit of performance development and engineering advancement. With that spirit in mind, a series of carefully considered period-style enhancements were incorporated without compromising the car's essential design, craftsmanship, or character.
Among the most notable revisions are wider 5.5-inch wheels with burnished aluminum outer rims, instrumentation adapted from a Porsche 904, and a transaxle upgraded internally with later-type 741 racing-oriented components. The Type 547/3 engine itself became the primary focus of the ongoing development program. While preserving its external appearance, numerous internal refinements have been implemented, including upgraded connecting rods and valves manufactured from improved modern materials, along with continued work to enhance the volumetric efficiency of the ports and intake runners. Although final development remains ongoing, performance gains of as much as about 20 percent over original specifications are considered achievable.
While the Type 547/3 engine remains in the process of restoration and final assembly, the car is currently fitted with a fully rebuilt 1,582cc Porsche pushrod engine (Engine no. 751937), installed for testing, tuning, and mechanical sorting purposes. The accompanying four-cam engine is offered largely complete, though requiring final reassembly, dialing-in, and completion work.
Today, chassis 101385 presents as a striking and exceptionally rare example of Porsche's iconic Carrera GT. Combining rare factory colors, fascinating Cuban competition history, meticulous long-term restoration, and the inclusion of a highly significant ex-RS-60 Werks Prototype Spyder four-cam engine, the car represents a remarkable opportunity for collectors seeking one of the most charismatic and competition-oriented Porsche road cars of the 1950s.
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Text & Image: Bonhams
