From humble beginnings in 1948 when the first Porsche, designated 356/2, emerged from a converted sawmill in Gmünd, Austria, to April 1965, when Type 356 production finally ceased, more than 70,000 examples of the ground-breaking sports car had been manufactured. Ferry Porsche, son of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, spearheaded design and development, with the 356 constantly improved, a company hallmark that continues today. As a result, the 356 was a consistent winner on both the sales floor and the race track. A prime example was the updated 356B evolution of Porsche’s cornerstone series, debuted at Frankfurt in September 1959 with the new T5 body design. Available power options initially remained unchanged. The updates heralded by the 356B were far more than skin deep, however. In the pages of Christophorus, Porsche’s official magazine, Ferry Porsche stated, “When we do change something, we don’t just make small alterations, following the dictates of fashion.” Renowned automotive journalist Ken W. Purdy agreed wholeheartedly with highly engaging comments to an in-depth, eight-page color booklet produced by Porsche of America on the 356B. In it, he stated “Driving a Porsche, you can, with small effort, believe that the seat of your trousers is part of the automobile.” Sporting the updated T5 body design by the renowned Reutter coachbuilding works, this 1960 Porsche 356B Cabriolet was delivered new in December 1960 to Porsche Car Distributors in Culver City, California, and the original owner was Don Bay of Hollywood, California. According to the factory Kardex production record, the vehicle was originally finished in Reihergrau (Heron Gray), the paint color it features today. The interior color has been changed from the factory specified Leder Blau (blue leather) to the present red upholstery. Part of a private collection for more than 25 years, the Cabriolet is of course powered by a dual-carbureted 1600cc flat 4-cylinder engine paired with a proper 4-speed manual gearbox. Chromed wheels finish it off, along with a black soft top and cockpit tonneau cover. A tool roll, maintenance records and a copy of the Kardex production record accompany this dashing 1960 Porsche 356B Cabriolet.
