Canepa is offering this Porsche 356B Roadster “Twin Grille” for sale.Â
1962 Porsche 356B “Twin Grille” Roadster
VIN: 89736
- Rare – 1 of only 248 examples built by Belgium coachwork maker D’leteren Freres
- Numbers matching engine and transmission per Porsche Certificate of Authenticity
- Fantastic and complete concours-level restoration performed by Automobile Associates of Canton
- 5,341 miles since restoration
- Stunning period correct color combination of Slate Grey with green leather interior
Among Porsche enthusiasts, there is a never-ending debate about which model is the ultimate open 356. The Speedster has long been regarded as the most collectible, and does enjoy a certain purity of line that is very attractive; however, none could deny that the 356 Roadsters are fitted with better equipment and power, leading to those looking for a more sport-focused experience with the iconic 356. “Twin Grille” Roadsters, marked by the two cooling vents on the rear decklid, as well as their squared hood and right front fender fuel filler, became iconic design cues from Belgium coachwork maker D’leteren Freres. Creating just 248 examples, the 356B T6 “Twin Grille” Roadster is one of the most sought after and prized examples of the 356 lineage and continues to be a stunning jewel in Porsche’s history.
This 1962 Porsche 356B “Twin Grille” Roadster was completed on December 28th, 1961 per Porsche’s Certificate of Authenticity. It was optioned in Slate Grey with a green leather interior, and was distributed new via Porsche Car Pacific of San Francisco. While information on the 1st owner is limited, the 2nd caretaker would end up keeping the car for 33 consecutive years. Robert Wilson of Seattle purchased this rare twin-grille in July of 1969. He had fully intended on carrying out a restoration when he finished building his new residence, and the 356 was transported into the basement of his home. Sadly, the restoration process never materialized, and with Wilson passing away the 356B found its way to Jim Newton of Automobile Associates of Canton in April of 2002.
Jim Newton, a multi-concours restorer, had planned on restoring the numbers-matching car for himself at Automobile Associates of Canton but as fate turned out, a good customer inquired about a numbers-matching twin-grille Roadster, and purchased the project just as it had begun. The customer wanted to build a concours-winning car with no expenses spared. With the restoration officially beginning in the summer of 2003, the full process took 3 years to complete.
Without having a fixed deadline, budget caps, or any other worries, Newton and his expert team took their time in addressing every element of the car down to the finest of details. Stripped down to its bare metal tub, it was discovered that the twin-grille was accident free and had all of its original body panels. The car was restored with the sole intention of being as period correct as possible along with incredible driveability, so it was finished in its original combination of Slate Grey color and trimmed with a green leather interior. To increase the car’s driveability, the original engine was increased in size to 1,7500cc and given an SC cam for better power. To this day, it retains its dealer-installed Les Leston steering wheel and has correct dated-coded wheels.
After the 3-year restoration, the new caretaker took delivery of his 356 and kept the car in his collection in New York where he drove it infrequently, but always sent the car back to Automobile Associated every year for a service that included an oil change and other items as needed.
The Roadster was acquired by Canepa in the mid 2010s, where it found a new caretaker in the form of prestigious collector Sam Mann. Mann and his wife Emily, known for their collection of fantastic automobiles and 4-time Best of Show winners at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, kept this remarkable 356 in his collection for 7 years before returning to Canepa in the same exquisite condition that it left in. Upon arriving back through Canepa’s doors, the car was given the complete “Canepa Difference” process, ensuring everything cosmetically and mechanically were up to Canepa’s standards. Coming from Mann’s personal collection, it was evident that it was well taken care of, and was given just a light foam pad polishing to enhance the already stunning luster of the Slate Grey finish.
Owning a Porsche 356 is special enough, but owning a 356B “Twin Grille” Roadster with a production under 250 examples? That is something extremely special. Paired with that this matching-numbers example was expertly restored by Automobile Associates of Canton with a no-expenses-spared restoration, owned by legendary Concours d’Elegance royalty Sam Mann, this 1962 Porsche 356B “Twin Grille” Roadster will continue to be a shining jewel among any automotive collection.
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