A rare Porsche clocked an Australian record when it went under the hammer this week.
The 1962 Porsche 356B T6 ‘Twin Grille’ Roadster stopped the clocks at $352,000, which was $100,000 more than the figure it was expected to reach.
The local bidder outlasted several equally determined overseas and local enthusiasts to claim the restored Porsche, together driving its price more than $100,000 above its pre-auction high estimate.
Shannons which auctioned the car says the price confirms the world-market desirability of early Porsche models, with the rarity of the award-winning Roadster enhancing its desirability — just 248 were built.
The Roadster was imported into Australia in 2010 and converted to right hand drive by renowned Porsche 356 authority Brian Jones.
As part of a full restoration completed in 2011, its engine was rebuilt to Super 90 specification and enlarged to 1720cc in the process, while the body was stripped back and repainted Aquamarine Blue with contrasting red leather trim, offset by a black soft top.
The Roadster features a period-style wood rim steering wheel, an original toolkit with Bilstein jack, plus its driver’s manual and sales brochure and comes complete with an Import Approval and Certificate of Authenticity from Porsche.
The 356B was originally available with three different pushrod engines: the 1600 and 1600S continuing unchanged but with the addition of the new Super 90 featuring twin-choke carburettors, larger inlet valves and a reworked cylinder head to increase power output.
CHECKOUT: Hidden A9X Torana attracts $275,000
CHECKOUT: World record $45 million tipped for rare Ferrari