Check out this superb restored 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster with period-correct modifications

The 2021 Porsche Restoration Challenge is a chance for us to look back in wonder at some of the incredible vehicles the manufacturer has brought us through the decades. There’s perhaps no better example of this than the restoration of a 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster by Galpin Motors’ Porsche Santa Clarita. 

With an upgraded powertrain, tasteful styling enhancements, and a sweet custom paint job, this fantastic restoration has a good chance of taking the crown this year.

A re-imagined 356 Speedster

Porsche Santa Clarita shows us here that restoration doesn’t always mean returning everything to its original spec. Though the modifications are period-correct, the dealership’s idea was essentially “what if the car had been modified back in the day?”

The body has been modified with filled, smoothed, and chromed bumpers. There’s a louvered deck lid, shaved rocker moldings, and rear reflectors. That lovely paint job is custom-mixed Blue-Green from PPC, and it goes great with the House of Kolor gold magnesium 1960 Halibrand-style wheels. In the back, you’ll find a 1600SC air-cooled flat-four engine with chromed components, paired with a 519 transaxle.

“Galpanized”

The Porsche 356 Speedster was produced between 1948 and 1965, with 76,313 units in total. You could pick one up for the bargain price of around $4,700. In 1964, it was replaced by the 912, another classic rear-engine Porsche powered by four cylinders and the entry-level version of the genre-defining 911.

This wonderful example made it to the dealership by way of sale from its second owner, who had kept the vehicle for 50 years.

The restoration challenge has concluded, but we’ll need to wait a while for the winner to be decided. Our money would be on this superb 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster.