Another recent addition to our inventory is this beautiful numbers-matching Ivory 1959 356A Convertible D.

In July of 1958, Porsche sent a letter to all of its foreign distributors stating that the Speedster which had been designed specifically to fill the demand for a low-cost, stripped-down sporting convertible for the United States had not been all received elsewhere. The letter also informed that a new model was going to be introduced in 1959 and would be manufactured by Karosseriewerke Drauz of Heilbronn, Germany. Its styling was reminiscent of the Speedster while offering the comfort and amenities of a Cabriolet- specifically wind-up glass windows in place of side curtains, a taller, more angular, and less raked windshield with a taller convertible top to match, and a more luxurious interior with coupe seats as standard. The earlier “bee-hive” tail lamps were replaced by larger teardrop-shaped tail lights, and the U.S.-destined cars received front and rear bumper guards with over riders.

The new model was designated the Convertible D, the D representing the coachmaker Drauz. The 356A Convertible D was produced as an interim model for the 1959 model year only before being replaced by the 356 B Roadster in 1960. The Convertible D was offered alongside the Cabriolet- both were soft-top options, the Cabriolet was an open version of the Coupe, while the Convertible D was unique in its construction and styling. Porsche’s sales literature advertised the new Convertible D as ”a dynamic car of beautiful proportions. Extra light and low in design for competition and pleasure driving.”

Production began in August 1958 and ended in September 1959, with a total of 1,331 units produced in that period. A fraction of those examples were ordered with the 75-horsepower high compression type 616/2 Super engine, approximately 300 in total.

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