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The origins of the Carrera Speedsters date back to 1954, when a young engineer at the Porsche competition
department decided to place a 4-cam Carrera engine in to a modified 356 Coupé. The vehicle then went on to
win one of the toughest rallies in Europe, the Liège-Rome-Liège, and Porsche realised that they had
something particularly special. Dr. Ernst Fuhrmann, a prodigal young engineer at the Stuttgart factory was the
star behind the Carrera Speedster. The 1,500cc engine he designed had dual ignition, four overhead
camshafts and aluminium pistons, cylinders and cylinder heads. The crankshaft rotated in roller bearings, and
the engine was capable of producing almost 110bhp, double the power of the traditional 1,500 push-rod
engine. His ingenious design allowed the car to reach 120mph and a 0-6mph time of 11 seconds. Debuted at
the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Carrera name is taken from the famously gruelling Mexican road race at
which Porsche had previously dominated the 2-litre class.
Originally finished in the striking ruby-red it sports today, the motor car offered was delivered new to Australia
where it had three owners before being laid up in a barn for several years. In 1982, the next owner restored the
car as a silver GT using the engine from the fourth GT speedster to ever leave the Porsche production line. In
2014, the car was subjected to a meticulous restoration to bring it to its current exceptional condition. With a
string of awards under its belt from concours across the world, this has to be one of the most desirable
Porsche 356s available.
Bonhams will also offer what is widely considered to be the ultimate 911. The 1973 Porsche 911 2.7 Carrera
RS Lightweight (£750,000-850,000) is an impressive example of Porsche's legendary engineering prowess.
Only 111 were ever delivered to the UK in right-hand drive configuration, of which just 19 were Lightweights
such as the model offered here.
The Lightweights, such as this, were generally bought by the most devoted of sporting drivers for use on the
road, or by fully-fledged racing drivers for track use. All superfluous items were removed, including rear seats,
armrests and even the clock in a bid to shed weight. Porsche managed to lose massive 100kg from the car,
improving the handling, acceleration and braking of what is already a seriously impressive machine.
Originally sold in Belfast, the car took part in several Irish rallies including the Donegal Rally. Its sporting
career continued after it moved to the UK in 1974, a year during which it took part in no fewer than 6 rallies. A
two-year restoration was carried out in the late 1990s, restoring it to its original specification, and an engine
rebuild took place in 2000.
The rarity and importance of these two machines cannot be underestimated – both are outstanding,
right-hand drive examples of two of the most desirable models ever created by Porsche, and would make
impressive additions to any serious classic car collection.
Other Porsches in the sale include:
- 2010 Porsche 977 GT2 RS (£290,000-340,000)
- 1993 Porsche 964 Turbo X88 (£250,000-300,000)
- 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster (£250,000-300,000)
- 1967 Porsche 911 S (£240,000-280,000)
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