One-of-a-Kind 1958 Porsche 356 A Coupé Restored: A Tale of Special Requests

A meticulously restored 1958 Porsche 356 A Coupé, a unique factory one-off with a history of extraordinary custom requests, has captivated enthusiasts. This special vehicle, owned by Dutch collector Henk Spin, underwent a decade-long restoration, revealing its fascinating past as one of eight "Schmidt cars" commissioned with highly unusual features for the era.

A Unique Piece of Automotive History

Henk Spin's 1958 Porsche 356 A Coupé in Porcelain White is more than just a classic car; it's a one-of-a-kind testament to early automotive customization. Discovered to have non-standard features during a restoration project, Spin's investigation led him to the Porsche archives. There, he uncovered that the car was one of eight special commissions for Reinhard Schmidt, a test engineer with a penchant for pushing the boundaries of automotive innovation in the 1950s and 60s.

Reinhard Schmidt: A Visionary Customer

Reinhard Schmidt, who worked for automotive supplier ATE, viewed himself as a test engineer and actively pursued personal projects involving vehicle and engine part testing. His close ties with Volkswagen and Porsche allowed him to commission these unique vehicles. The 356 A Coupé, chassis number 102324, delivered to Schmidt in 1958, was equipped with numerous ahead-of-their-time features. These included a telephone system, which alone cost nearly half the price of the new car, a portable rally light, and various other custom electrical systems and antennas.

The Restoration Journey

Spin's restoration of the Porsche 356 was an extensive, ten-year endeavor, involving over 3,000 hours of work. He sourced many parts, including a new nose, from Porsche Classic. The process required significant detective work to accurately recreate the car's original specifications, which included unique color combinations like Porcelain White and Acella Red, specialized interior materials, and a host of unusual extras. The car was also identified as "Versuchswagen 145" (Test Car 145).

Key Takeaways

• The 1958 Porsche 356 A Coupé is a factory one-off, commissioned with numerous special requests.

• It was one of eight unique vehicles created for Reinhard Schmidt, a visionary automotive enthusiast.

• The restoration by Henk Spin took ten years and involved extensive research and specialized parts.

• Many of the car's custom features, like the telephone system, were groundbreaking for their time.

• The car showcases unique specifications including special paint, interior materials, and a host of unusual technical additions.

Spin's dedication has brought this historically significant and highly personalized Porsche back to its former glory, highlighting a period when individual customer desires could shape automotive design in extraordinary ways.