Porsche 356 Speedster

I'm not sure if there is any officially recognized Golden Age of Sports Cars.  In my case -- probably a generational thing -- the Golden Age was roughly 1948 to 1960.  Regardless, it was the time when European sports cars were often fairly affordable and began appearing in significant numbers in the USA.

Entry-level was owned by MG TC, TD and TF models.  The next market notch was exemplified by Triumph TR-2s and TR-3s, followed by the Austin Healey and Jaguar XK120 and its derivatives.  And from Germany came the Porsche 356 series of coupés and cabriolets.  But the most interesting Porsche was a rakish version of the Cabriolet: the 356A Speedster.

The main visual difference between 356 Cabriolets and Speedsters was the Speedster's lower windshield.  Also, it had a skimpier canvas top than the Cabriolet's, which had a traditional substantial German retractible top.  Speedsters also featured a thin chrome strip along the side, though some Cabriolets had that too.

Being a roadster with a minimal top, Speedsters were not fully practical all-climate all-weather cars.  But who cared?  They were seriously sporty, and that's what mattered in the late 1950s and matters now for car collectors.

Gallery

Publicity photo of a 1955 356A Speedster.

Factory side vew.

Here is an advertisement by Hoffman, importer of Porsches to the USA.

Bonhams auction photo of a 1956 356A Speedster.

Front view of a 1957 Speedster via Bonhams, as are the next two images.

Rear view

Right side view.

Top-up right side view of a 1955 Speedster with its canvas top raised, Mecum auction photo.

Here is a for-sale 1959 Porsche 356 Convertible D for comparison.  Note the taller windshield and the bulky German top.

Also for comparison is this image via RM Sothebey's of a 1956 356A Porsche Coupé.