1963 Porsche 356B Cabriolet is for sale

August 10, 2023 Francis Mitterrand

It has been 75 years since Porsche began to conquer the market and the hearts of car enthusiasts. It all started with the first production car, the Porsche 356, which was produced in several versions, and at the beginning of the 60s, the model 356B was presented. It was produced until 1963, and one of them, the 1963 Porsche 356B Cabriolet is for sale.

The Porsche 356B is powered by a 1,600cc flat-four engine with dual Weber carburetors. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a replacement four-speed manual gearbox. It sits on chrome-finished 15″ steel wheels, with Porsche-logo hubcaps, wrapped in 165-series Vredestein Sprint Classic tires.

This 356B is finished in Ivory and is in good condition. It is equipped with a black soft top, body-color bumpers with overriders, dual mirrors, a Lietz luggage rack, a passenger-side fender-mounted Reutter badge, rocker trim, Super 90 rear badging, and dual exhaust outlets exiting through the rear overriders. It should be noted that the car had an accident ten years ago and since then the left headlight bucket, driver’s door skin, and windshield have been replaced.

Inside, the seats are covered with tan leather, which also covers the door panels, the upper part of the dashboard and the steering wheel. Additional equipment includes a height-adjustable rearview mirror, RJS Racing Equipment safety belts, a locking glove box, and a Becker Europa push-button radio. The VDO clock is inoperable. The five-digit odometer shows 4,020 miles (total mileage is unknown).

The car comes with a copy of the Kardex, correspondence from Porsche Cars North America, service records, a tool kit and jack, spare parts, 356 workshop manual, manufacturer’s literature, and a Virginia title in the seller’s name.

The auction ends on August 14, and the current highest bid is USD $85,356.

Source: Bring a Trailer

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News

EU Bans Chrome Plating From 2024

July 30, 2023 Francis Mitterrand

According to recent news, the EU is considering banning the use of chromium from 2024. The reason for this decision could be the toxic emissions resulting from this process, which can lead to major health problems, including cancer.

The EU states that emissions from chrome production are hundreds of times more toxic than CO2 emissions from diesel engines. This could be reduced by using special substances, however, these substances are also toxic.

Although chrome is used less and less in the automotive industry, the decision to ban its production could pose a problem for owners and restorers of classic cars. Therefore, companies that still produce chrome parts will switch to trivalent chromium, another method of decorative chrome plating which is considered the environmentally friendly alternative to hexavalent chromium, which is not so toxic.

So far, there is no official confirmation of such a decision, nor when, if it is made, it will start to be applied. However, the ban on covering decorative parts will surely come into force soon. This will not be the first time that a government has banned the use of chrome. For example, in California, that measure was voted starting from 2027, while the ban on industrial use will be from 2039.

Source: Autocar

Auctions

1959 Porsche 356A Coupe is up for auction

July 29, 2023 Francis Mitterrand

In 1955, Porsche introduced the first version of the sports model 356, the “Type 1”, the first production car from the Stuttgart-based carmaker. It was produced until 1959, and about 15,500 cars left the production lines. One of them, a 1959 Porsche 356A Coupe is up for auction.

The Porsche 356A Coupe is powered by a replacement air-cooled 1,720cc flat-four engine from the 1965 Porsche 912. It is mated to a four-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. The engine was overhauled 12 years ago, and dual carburetors, mesh air cleaners, and a billet oil sump plate, Bosch ignition coil, and gray-finished fan shroud were installed.

The car is finished in silver and is in good condition. It is equipped with headlight guards, Mobil Pegasus decals, a left-side mirror, a rear luggage rack, dual exhaust outlets, and body-color bumpers with bright-finished overriders, front sway bar, and four-wheel brake drums. It sits on chrome-finished 15″ steel wheels wrapped in 165-series Vredestein Sprint Classic tires.

Inside, the seats are upholstered in red leather that covers the door panels and the upper part of the dashboard. In front of the driver is a two-spoke steering wheel behind which is a five-digit odometer reading 21,403 miles. Additional equipment includes gray carpets, rear luggage straps, a fire extinguisher, a Blaupunkt radio, and a flashlight stored in the glovebox.

The car comes with car show awards, refurbishment photos, and British Columbia registration.

The auction ends on August 2nd and the current highest bid is USD $75,000.

Source: Bring a Trailer

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