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Cabriolets had been manufactured right from the start of Type 356production but the first open Porsche to make a significant impactwas the Speedster, introduced in 1954 following the successfulreception in the USA of a batch of 15 special roadsters. The ReutterbodiedSpeedster was dropped in 1958 and replaced by the morecivilised Convertible D, which differed principally by virtue of its largerwindscreen and winding side windows. Porsche sub-contractedcabriolet body construction to a number of different coachbuildersincluding Drauz of Heilbronn, d’Ieteren of Brussels and its long-timecollaborator and close neighbour, Reutter.By the time the 356B arrived in September 1959, the car had gaineda one-piece rounded windscreen and 15”-diameter wheels, andthe newcomer’s introduction brought with it further styling revisions.The engine, now standardised at 1,600cc, was available in threedifferent stages of tune, the most powerful - apart from the four-camCarrera - being the 90bhp unit of the Super 90. The 356B representssignificant advances in driveability and comfort over earlier 356models, and is a pleasingly quick way to enjoy the traditional Porschevalues of quality, reliability and mechanical robustness.Right-hand drive chassis number ‘153664’ was completedat Karosserie Reutter in 1960 for Alan Clark, the outspokenConservative MP, historian, diarist and motoring enthusiast. Clarktook delivery at his Zermatt, Switzerland home where he was livingwhile writing his first famous book about World War One, ‘TheDonkeys’. He brought the Porsche over to England in May 1962. Theoriginal old-style logbook is on file together with a letter from AlanClark recalling his memories of the car.‘336 JGH’ was later sold to AFN, the UK importer, who have recordsof it in their archives. It is, reputedly, only one of eight right-handexamples of its type in the UK.In 1968 the 356 was purchased by David Carnwath, who had AFNfit a new 1964 356C engine (number ‘716702’). The car had threesubsequent owners prior to its acquisition by Michael Chadwick in1990. He took the car to Peter Nardelli, who fitted side mouldingsand a dashboard clock (both factory options in 1960) togetherwith new 5.5” chromed wheels shod with 185/70 tyres. Peteralso persuaded Michael Chadwick to have the engine fully rebuilt,commenting that Michael’s was one of the best 356s he had driven.A full rebuild of the engine and ancillaries was duly carried in mid-1991 by Chris Mannion & Company to very high standard (seephotographic record on file). At the same time a halogen headlightconversion and a reproduction Nardi steering wheel were fitted.In 1993 a full bare-metal repaint was carried out and the car was thenput into storage until 1996 when it was acquired by the current ownerfrom Peter Nardelli at Tower Bridge Porsche. The car has been keptgaraged since acquisition and is used occasionally, covering no morethan 200-300 miles annually, mostly in the dry summer months. Ithas been regularly serviced, maintained and MoT tested. The vendordescribes the Porsche as in generally very good condition and saysthat it attracts more admiration than any other car he has owned.A superb example of this rare classic, ‘336 JGH’ is offered with theaforementioned logbook and photographs, sundry restoration invoices,MoT to February 2015 and V5C registration document.£70,000 - 80,000€86,000 - 98,000Motor Cars | 315