One to Buy: ex-Heinrich Sauter 1951 Porsche 356 Sauter Roadster
/
Prior to the arrival of Porsche’s own purpose-built Sports racing car in 1953 (the 550), a small number of well-connected privateers created their own interpretation of such a vehicle. Among the most famous of these was industrialist and former Luftwaffe fighter pilot, Heinrich Sauter, who had already campaigned a 356 Coupe.
Wanting a lighter, faster machine to take on the opposition, Sauter purchased chassis 10359 from Porsche and commissioned Hans Klenk Karosserie to transform it into an air-piercing Roadster. Six months later, chassis 10359 emerged from Klenk’s workshop equipped with the pretty steel body you see here.
The completed car made its competition debut at round two of the 1951 German Sportscar Championship: the seven lap Nurburgring Eifelrennen contest for under 1.5-litre cars on June 3rd. Unfortunately, having qualified second and led the opening lap, Sauter was unable to finish owing to engine failure.
That year, Heinrich Sauter went on to race chassis 10359 in the Freiburg-Schauinsland Hillclimb and the Liege-Rome-Liege Rallye. It was also tested extensively which led to further refinement of the design and, in late 1951, was purchased by Porsche to serve as an internal factory project. Over the winter of 1951-1952, various modifications were carried out to include uprating of the original 1300cc engine to just under 1500cc.
Chassis 10359 was subsequently sold to French racer Francois Picard who campaigned it around Europe. Now painted blue, the 1952 season saw the little Porsche put in an array of impressive performances at events like the Hyeres 12 Hours, Monaco Grand Prix, Agadir Grand Prix, the Bordeaux road race, the Val De Cuech Hillclimb, Solitude, Hockenheim and Spa.
With its ‘52 campaign complete, chassis 10359 returned to Porsche from where, in early 1953, it was purchased by US attorney Sam Mullin. The car was shipped to California and raced throughout 1953-’54 to include appearances at Riverside, Moffett Field, Santa Barbara, Bakersfield, March Field and Pebble Beach.
Between 1954 and 1982, chassis 10359 remained largely hidden from view under private ownership. It was then acquired by Porsche expert Ray Knight and painstakingly restored to a very high standard.
Today offered in beautifully restored condition with extensive racing history, documentation, and Porsche Kardex, chassis 10359 arguably ranks among the most important examples of the Porsche 356 to exist.
