1957 Porsche 356 A Carrera GT Speedster (by Reutter)
Dr. Ernst Führmann’s complex four-cam racing engine transformed this already rare Speedster into one of the most coveted Porsches ever built.
Among barely 4,000 Speedsters produced over five years, only a handful received the exotic double-overhead-camshaft powerplant that produced nearly twice the output of Porsche’s standard pushrod engines.
Completed on July 23, 1957, and delivered to Max Hoffman’s New York dealership in lightweight GT form, this Silver Metallic example featured competition-oriented specifications including 60-millimeter ventilated front brakes, 15-inch alloy wheels, and an 80-liter (21-gallon) fuel tank.
The minimalist black leatherette interior included deep bucket seats with aluminum frames and beige corduroy inserts.
The alloy-cased 1.5-liter Type 547/1 engine utilized dry-sump lubrication, dual ignition with twin distributors, and a roller-bearing crankshaft.
After proving itself as a “giant killer” in the punishing Carrera Panamericana races, this powerplant earned the “Carrera” designation when installed in road-legal 356s. This numbers-matching example represents the pinnacle of 356 Speedster evolution.
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