1955 Pre A Speedster - Emory Outlaw
1955 Pre A Speedster – Emory Outlaw
Chassis:- 80344
To find a genuine pre-‘A’ Porsche 356 Speedster is rare enough. To find one with documented Emory Outlaw provenance, a full SCCA racing history, and the signatures of Rod and Gary Emory in its logbook is something else entirely.
Chassis 80344 — the 344th Speedster to leave the factory — was completed at Zuffenhausen on the 3rd of March 1955, delivered new through Hoffman Motors of New York in its original Speedster Blue, and has lived an extraordinary life in the seven decades since.
This is a car that has been driven hard, campaigned seriously, and loved honestly — and it shows in all the right ways.
From the factory, chassis 80344 was a straightforward but characterful 1500cc Speedster, optioned for the American market with an odometer in miles and sealed beam headlights. It left Hoffman’s New York showroom and, like so many early Porsches that found their way to the Pacific Northwest, eventually passed into the hands of an enthusiast who understood exactly what it was capable of.
Around 2003–2004, owner Walt Cox of Lacey, Washington State, commissioned Emory Motorsports to transform the car. The brief was unambiguous: not a show car, not a concours restoration — a race car. Rod and Gary Emory, the most respected names in the Outlaw 356 world, obliged without compromise.
What emerged was a stripped, caged, purpose-built competition machine that nonetheless retained the essential soul of the Speedster. The flyscreen, the open cockpit, the elemental connection between driver and road — all present, all amplified.
Racing History
The car’s SCCA logbook documents ten starts between 2004 and 2010, predominantly at the Pacific Northwest’s most prestigious historic events. Both Rod and Gary Emory took the wheel in competition — a detail that speaks volumes about the car’s integrity and capability. It ran consistently as number 33 throughout its campaign, with an earlier appearance recorded as number 57.
SCCA Logbook — Recorded Starts:
- 15 May 2004 — Spring Sprints, Seattle/Pacific · Walt Cox
- 2 July 2004 — NW Historics, Seattle · Walt Cox
- 1 July 2005 — NW Historics, Seattle · Walt Cox
- 30 July 2006 — NW Historics, Seattle · Gary Emory
- 3 July 2008 — NW Historics, Seattle · Emerson
- 11 July 2008 — Portland Historics · Rod Emory
- 4 May 2009 — Spring Sprints, Seattle · Emerson
- 2 July 2009 — NW Historics, Portland · Emerson
- 10 May 2010 — Spring Sprints, Seattle · Emerson
- 1 July 2010 — NW Historics, Portland · Emerson
The SCCA logbook is present with the car, complete with Emory signatures — a document of considerable historic and collector significance in its own right.
Life in the UK
The car arrived in the United Kingdom on 26th April 2012, where it passed into the care of the current owner — a 356 specialist with 25 years’ experience in the marque, trading as PRS. To bring the car into compliance with UK and European road regulations, PRS fitted rubber suspension and engine mounts in place of the original solid items (which remain with the car), along with a 12-volt dynamo and charging system, working lights, and indicators. The engine was inspected last year and returned a clean bill of health — everything within specification, no work required.
Since arriving in the UK the car has been enjoyed in the spirit it deserves: hill-climb events, track days, tours with the owner’s wife, and the occasional trip to the pub. It is described as remarkably easy to drive even in traffic, with an engine that fires immediately, idles cleanly, and pulls strongly throughout the rev range.
The flyscreen is fitted as standard; the original full-height windscreen can be fitted in its place, though it does not accompany the car.
Eligibility & Potential
As an original 1500cc 1955 Speedster, chassis 80344 automatically qualifies for the 1000 Miglia by right of birth. It is also potentially eligible for Goodwood and other major historic events, subject to reverting to drum brakes and modest detuning — a straightforward undertaking given the car’s well-documented history. The combination of factory credentials and Emory provenance places this car in a very small category of 356s capable of competing at the highest level of historic motorsport.
Provenance & Documentation
- Porsche factory completion certificate — 3rd March 1955
- Original selling agent: Hoffman Motors, New York
- Original colour: Speedster Blue
- Original specification: miles odometer, sealed beam headlights
- Full SCCA competition logbook with Emory signatures
- Extensive history file accumulated over 70 years
A Note on Condition
This car has been used — and that is entirely to its credit. The paintwork, now some 23 years old, carries the marks of a life well lived. Buyers seeking a ‘trailer queen’ will need to look elsewhere. Those who understand what a car like this represents — and who intend to drive it — will find chassis 80344 exactly as honest and ready as its history suggests.
A photo file is available on request.
Price on Application.
www.prs356.com
Email – prs356@btconnect.com
1956 356 ‘A’ Coupe LHD
Chassis :- 56620
1956 356 ‘A’ Coupe LHD
Porsche completion date:- 28th June 1956
Delivery date :- 29th June 1956
Aqua marine Blue with Red interior
Sold by Rossel & Traiser of Wiesbaden Germany
First owner :- Mr Robert Reiling of Zeist, Holland.
Options:- Telefunken Radio
Clock in the glove box lid
Corduroy Bag
Not much is known of 56620’s early life.
At some point the car was exported out of Holland to the USA.
There is a pink slip (logbook) in the name of Laura Presnall of San Diego, dated 9th January 2010
The car was then purchased by Mr Richie King (Karmann Konnection) 5th April 2010
Customs Declaration date 14th March 2011
It may be still possible to contact the name on the pink slip, should any further history of the car be desired? Or indeed Richie?
Looking through the paper work, it appears that the car was sold from KK around the start of 2011 and sent to Lionel’s body-shop (LBS).
There are drawings and dimensions for 911 engine and gearbox, so the car appears to have been destined as an outlaw?
LBS have restored the lower half/chassis of the body-shell. I can see the familiar red of old Simonsen panels which is a very good thing.
Then the project seems to have stalled?
The chassis restoration work has been carried out as if the car was to be restored standard, so obviously a change of heart away from 911 running gear idea.
According to James at LBS the roof was removed as the car was used at an airfield to tow aeroplanes and extra vision was needed?…correct or not it is a great story.
The car was purchased by its current owner when Lionel’s body shop shut its doors.
The current owner has now had a change of plan and the car is available again to find its forever home.
We (PRS) were tasked with trying to get the paperwork in order as the car was without a NOVA number, which is needed to register the car once restored. NOVA number has now been issued and all paperwork is in order.
The car comes with everything in the photos. No more, no less.
We can of course assist with all the parts to finish the car or indeed restore the car for you?
Price £25,000
www.prs356.com
More Pictures on request – Email – prs356@btconnect.com
1956 A T1
Chassis – 55928
We believe that this car was originally an internal Porsche Werks car.
The Factory Kardex literally has no information on it at all apart from the chassis number?
When the car arrived from Texas USA it also had a Mauve VDM Werks steering wheel fitted?
More research is required
Under the obviously shabby-chic exterior is a restored 356,
The owner wanted to build the ultimate ‘sleeper’ 356
Converted to RHD by PRS
Under the patina skin in a Type1 Turbo charged engine and suspension changes and disc brakes all round.
The engine built by Vw specialist Harry Harpic at great expense is quite mild for a turbo charged unit but still produces 140BHP. If more power is required then boost can be turned up and a quick re-map should give outrageous results??
Absolutely guaranteed to turn heads at any event or even going to the shops
Drive around as is?…restore back to original?….Try and find out why the kardex is blank?
Whatever way you go it’s a bloody interesting car.
Price is £119,500 ono
www.prs356.com
Email – prs356@btconnect.com
