One to Buy: ex-Anton von Dory 1959 Porsche 356 A Carrera GT
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Having been used in the firm’s 550 racing cars since 1953, Porsche began to offer the 356 A with an Ernst Fuhrmann-designed dual overhead cam Carrera engine during the second half of 1955.
To begin with, customers could order a touring-spec. 356 A 1500 Carrera GS in Coupe or Speedster form while the competition spec. 1500 Carrera GT racing version was initially available exclusively as a Speedster. A Coupe version of the more highly tuned 1500 GT was not introduced until 1957.
Unlike the de luxe GS version, the 356 A Carrera GT was intended for serious competition and to that end was equipped with an array of high performance and weight-saving parts. Cockpits were stripped of all superfluous luxuries and fitted with aluminium bucket seats, leather window straps and special instrumentation. Aluminium opening panels were also installed along with more powerful engines, uprated brakes, a close-ratio gearbox and limited-slip differential.
Today, the 356 A Carrera GT is regarded as arguably the ultimate expression of Porsche’s 356 A and one of these exceedingly rare cars is currently on offer at the Grand Prix Classics showroom in La Jolla, California.
Built in June 1959, chassis 108089 was ordered by the Porsche distributor for Argentina, Anton von Dory. A German ex-pat who departed for Argentina after World War 2, von Dory reputedly commissioned the handsome Meissen Blue 356 for competition use and ran the car alongside his 718 RSK.
Having recently undergone an extensive programme of refurbishment, chassis 108089 is presented in superb condition throughout complete with its original stamped body panels, a Type 692/3A Abarth specification four cam engine and all the rest of its desirable GT equipment.
