1953 | Porsche 356 Pre-A Bent Window Coupe

Porsche’s rise from a small postwar sports car manufacturer to a dominant force in motorsport was nothing short of meteoric. By the early 1950s, the company had firmly established itself as a builder of lightweight, precision-engineered sports cars with an unmistakable identity. The Porsche 356, introduced in 1948, was the foundation of this success—a nimble, beautifully crafted machine that combined German engineering excellence with an intuitive driving experience. Built in modest numbers at first, the 356 quickly gained recognition among enthusiasts and racers alike, and its competition pedigree was cemented when a Gmünd-built aluminum-bodied 356 SL secured Porsche’s first-class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1951. 
 

The 1953 model year marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the 356, bringing refinements that further enhanced its performance and usability. Most notably, 1953 was the first year Porsche replaced the split windshield with a single piece, curved “bent” windshield, giving the car a cleaner, more modern appearance. Mechanically, the introduction of the Type 519 synchronized gearbox significantly improved drivability, allowing for smoother and more precise gear changes. It was also the year Porsche first applied its now-iconic crest to the steering wheel—a small but significant touch that symbolized the brand’s growing confidence and prestige. 
 

With its elegant yet purposeful styling, race-proven engineering, and continuous refinement, the 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupe represents an important chapter in the marque’s history. These early 356 models exemplify the purity of Porsche’s design philosophy, embodying the lightweight construction, balanced handling, and understated sophistication that would define the brand for generations to come.
 

According to a copy of the Porsche build sheet on file, this Porsche 356 Pre-A, chassis no. 50279, was completed at Porsche’s Stuttgart works on March 10, 1953. As the 179th of just 1,546 Coupes built that year, it left the factory finished in the elegant shade of Azur Blau (Azure Blue) and was destined for the North American market. The legendary Max Hoffman Corp. of New York, Porsche’s exclusive U.S. distributor, handled its initial sale, introducing this early 356 to a growing contingent of American sports car enthusiasts. 
 

The car’s known history begins in 1972, when it was acquired from the Miranda family of Petaluma, California—enthusiasts in their own right, with several early Porsches in their stable, including a 1955 Cabriolet and a 1957 Speedster. Enjoyed on the road for decades, the 356 was eventually tucked away with the intent of undergoing a comprehensive restoration. That vision came to fruition in 2010, when the owner—a meticulous engineer—embarked on a full nut-and-bolt restoration. While he personally undertook the delicate process of disassembly and final assembly, specialized shops were entrusted with the restoration of key components. In 2022 the owner parted ways with the 356, after fifty years of steadfast ownership. The Coupe then passed into the hands of  its most recent custodian, another dedicated Porsche enthusiast.
 

The car’s drivetrain consists of a 1600cc engine and transaxle from a 1957 Porsche 356A Coupe, rebuilt to factory specifications and fitting perfectly to the chassis. The transaxle received a full overhaul by Pacific Throttle House in Seaside, California, and new components were fitted throughout, including an oil cooler, clutch, and resurfaced flywheel. The fuel system was comprehensively refurbished with rebuilt carburetors, a reconditioned fuel tank, and new fuel lines, while the steering box was rebuilt and complemented by fresh shocks, tie rods, wheel bearings, and brake components. 
 

The body, stamped with the number ‘79’ in several locations, confirming its original Reutter coachwork, was stripped to bare metal and professionally refinished in period-correct Ivory. Powder-coated wheels in body color complete the period look, while restored chrome, brightwork, and all-new rubber seals and gaskets provide a factory-fresh appearance. Electrical systems were thoroughly renewed, including a new wiring harness, a rebuilt starter, generator, and distributor, and fully restored green-letter Veigel gauges by North Hollywood Speedometer. The period dash-mounted Telefunken radio adds an authentic touch. 
 

Inside, the cockpit is beautifully finished with professionally trimmed Bordeaux Italian leather, complemented by color-matched German square weave carpets with ribbed rubber mats. A new napped cloth headliner was installed, preserving the elegant simplicity of the original design. Up front, period Marchal driving lights lend a sporting touch to the car’s understated presence. Most recently, the Bent Window was fitted with new proper 5:60-15 Firestone tires.
 

With its exquisite restoration, history, and half a century of dedicated ownership, this 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupe is a magnificent representation of Porsche’s earliest production cars. A lifelong California resident for most of its existence, this rare and beautifully presented “bent window” 356 is a testament to the clean, unadorned aesthetic and engineering purity that defined the Porsche legacy from its inception.

General Background
 

• Completed on March 10, 1953 at Porsche’s Stuttgart works.

• Chassis number 50279: the 179th of only 1,546 Coupes built in 1953.

• Originally finished in Azur Blau (Azure Blue).

• Delivered to the North American market via Max Hoffman Corp. in New York, Porsche’s exclusive U.S. distributor.
   

Ownership History
 

• 1972: Acquired from the Miranda family of Petaluma, California, known Porsche collectors.

• Maintained and driven for decades before being stored for restoration.

• 2010: Underwent a full nut-and-bolt restoration by a meticulous engineer/owner.
   

  • Owner handled disassembly and reassembly personally.

  • Specialists restored key systems.
     

• 2022: Sold after 50 years of ownership to another Porsche enthusiast.
   

Mechanical Specifications
 

• Engine & Transaxle from a 1957 Porsche 356A Coupe, rebuilt to factory specs.

• Transaxle overhauled by Pacific Throttle House (Seaside, CA):
   

  • New oil cooler, clutch, resurfaced flywheel.
     

• Fuel system:
   

  • Rebuilt carburetors.

  • Reconditioned fuel tank and new fuel lines.
     

• Suspension & Steering:
   

  • Rebuilt steering box.

  • New shocks, tie rods, wheel bearings, and brake components.
     

Body & Exterior
 

• Original Reutter coachwork confirmed by matching body number ‘79’ in multiple locations.

• Stripped to bare metal and repainted in period-correct Ivory.

• Features:
   

  • Powder-coated wheels in body color.

  • Restored chrome and brightwork.

  • New rubber seals and gaskets.

  • New 5:60-15 Firestone tires.

  • Period Marchal driving lights for added character.
     

Electrical & Instrumentation
 

• Fully renewed electrical system:
   

  • New wiring harness.

  • Rebuilt starter, generator, and distributor.

  • Restored green-letter Veigel gauges by North Hollywood Speedometer.
     

• Equipped with a period-correct Telefunken dash-mounted radio.
   

Interior
 

• Professionally trimmed in Bordeaux Italian leather.

• Color-matched German square weave carpets and ribbed rubber mats.

• New napped cloth headliner retaining original elegance.
   

Summary
 

• A superbly restored “bent window” 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupe.

• Lifelong California car for most of its life.

• Combines historical significance, restoration quality, and enthusiast ownership.

• Represents the early purity of Porsche’s engineering and design legacy.

The service work performed on this 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupe was both comprehensive and meticulous, reflecting the owner’s dedication to authenticity and mechanical excellence. The drivetrain, sourced from a 1957 356A Coupe, was rebuilt to factory specifications, including a full transaxle overhaul by Pacific Throttle House in Seaside, California, and upgrades such as a new oil cooler, clutch, and resurfaced flywheel. The fuel system saw a complete refurbishment with rebuilt carburetors, a reconditioned fuel tank, and new fuel lines. Steering and suspension systems were thoroughly addressed with a rebuilt steering box, fresh shocks, tie rods, wheel bearings, and all-new brake components. Additionally, the electrical system was fully renewed with a new wiring harness and rebuilt starter, generator, and distributor, ensuring modern reliability within a vintage framework.

This 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupe has a well-documented ownership history, beginning in 1972 when it was acquired from the Miranda family of Petaluma, California—enthusiasts known for their collection of early Porsches. It remained in the care of that owner, a meticulous engineer, for the next fifty years, during which it was both enjoyed and eventually restored to a concours level. In 2022, the car changed hands for the first time in half a century, passing to another passionate Porsche collector.