The Convertible D succeeded the Speedster for the 1959 model year, entering production in August 1958 with coachwork by Karosseriewerke Drauz of Heilbronn, Germany. Styling was distinguished from the Speedster by roll-up windows, a redesigned soft top with a larger rear window, a taller windshield with a more substantial frame, and a revised rear cowl. this example was delivered from the factory in Ivory and received replacement floor pans before being repainted blue in 2006. A replacement dark…
The Convertible D succeeded the Speedster for the 1959 model year, entering production in August 1958 with coachwork by Karosseriewerke Drauz of Heilbronn, Germany. Styling was distinguished from the Speedster by roll-up windows, a redesigned soft top with a larger rear window, a taller windshield with a more substantial frame, and a revised rear cowl. this example was delivered from the factory in Ivory and received replacement floor pans before being repainted blue in 2006. A replacement dark blue Haartz soft top was installed under previous ownership.
Silver 15″ Technomagnesio alloy wheels were installed under previous ownership and are mounted with 195/65 Pirelli P4 tires. A Lemmerz spare wheel with a Vredestein tire is mounted in the front trunk. Koni shocks were fitted during the refurbishment along with a Bilstein steering stabilizer. Stopping power is provided by hydraulic drums at all four corners. Replacement rear wheel cylinders were installed by Squire’s Autowerke of Bellevue, Washington, in April 2022.
The cockpit features bucket seats that were reportedly trimmed in gray leather under previous ownership by Autobahn Interiors of San Diego, California. A darker gray dash pad and door panels were installed at that time along with a replacement square-weave carpet set. Black rubber mats line the floor pans, and additional equipment includes lap belts, a gold Porsche dash badge, and a clock. The Blaupunkt AM/FM radio does not work.
The two-spoke steering wheel features a horn ring and frames green-letter VDO instrumentation including a central 6k-rpm tachometer, a 120-mph speedometer, and a combination gauge monitoring oil temperature and fuel level. The gauges are said to have been refurbished under previous ownership, while the speedometer was overhauled by Seattle Speedometer in May 2022. The five-digit odometer shows less than 200 miles, and approximately 5k miles have been added under the seller’s ownership. Total mileage is unknown.
The replacement 1.6-liter flat-four was installed under previous ownership and features twin Solex carburetors with Knecht mesh air cleaners. Service in 2022 involved a carburetor overhaul and an oil change.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transaxle that was overhauled in April 2022.
The composite image above shows the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and chassis stamping. Engine stamping P*606349* corresponds to a Type 616/1 1.6-liter flat four built for a 1961 T5 356B, while transaxle stamping 27468 can be seen on the Certificate of Authenticity and Kardex copy below.
The Kardex lists original colors and components as well as delivery to the car’s first owner in Arnsberg, Germany.