A beautifully restored 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A Cabriolet is now available for sale in London, offering a rare glimpse into Porsche’s early history. This particular cabriolet, built on April 14, 1953, features a stunning cream finish over black leatherette upholstery. Originally sold in California and Germany, the car made its way to the UK in the mid-2010s and is now up for grabs after years in storage.
One of the early models, this Porsche 356 Pre-A Cabriolet has undergone notable updates, including the installation of a replacement 1.5-liter flat-four engine and a four-speed manual transaxle. Known for its classic design, the car’s features include a single-piece curved windshield—a new design for 1953—along with a black convertible top, 16-inch steel wheels with baby moon hubcaps, and wide-whitewall tires that maintain the car’s vintage appeal.
After sitting in storage for nearly eight years, the car received a series of crucial maintenance updates in 2023. These included tuning the twin carburetors, replacing front wheel bearings, installing new rear axle seals, and performing a brake fluid flush to ensure that it runs as smoothly as it looks.
Inside, the cabin has been updated from its original red leather trim to sleek black leatherette, with square-weave carpets enhancing the overall aesthetic. An ivory steering wheel with a horn ring complements the green-letter VDO instrumentation. The odometer shows just 80 kilometers since its refurbishment, adding to its allure as a vintage yet drivable classic.
This 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A Cabriolet offers not only style and history but also the exhilarating driving experience that Porsche fans have come to love. It’s a rare opportunity to own a fully documented, well-preserved piece of automotive history.
Shawn Henry