Porsche Santa Clarita, a Galpin Motors dealership, recently completed the restoration and customization of a 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster as part of the 2021 Porsche Restoration Challenge. The dealership acquired the car from its second owner, a California local who had modified the 356 for racing during his 50 years of ownership. The 356, with coachwork by Reutter Karosserie, was originally imported through famed New York importer Max Hoffman.
Porsche Santa Clarita modified the body of the 356 with shaved rocker moldings and rear reflectors, a louvered decklid, and filled, smoothed and chromed bumpers. A custom-mixed Blue-Green paint from PPG accents the tailored body, as does a set of 1960 magnesium Halibrand knock-off wheels finished in House of Kolor gold with a matte klear finish. Under the rear decklid lies an upgraded 1600SC flat-four air-cooled pushrod engine with chromed components mated to a 519 transaxle. On the inside, Porsche Santa Clarita opted for red leather with tartan inserts and color-matched Blue-Green trim.
When approaching the restoration, Galpin President and COO Beau Boeckmann opted for a full restoration with period-correct modifications, imagining the 356 as if it had been “Galpinized” when new. Porsche Santa Clarita technician Nicolas Briseno carried out the mechanical restoration while Dave Shuten of Galpin Speed Shop completed the body and paint modifications. Galpin Auto Sports – G.A.S. assisted with the remaining restoration work.
