As winner of the “People’s Choice” Award at the 2021 Porsche Restoration Challenge, this Porsche 356 has been featured in dozens of publications. This specific 356 was built July 29, 1955 and imported through Max Hoffman’s dealership and has spent its whole life in California. The prior owner, of 50 years, had done customizing work to it, so Galpin knew it couldn’t be restored back to perfect original condition.

Under the direction and vision of Beau Boeckmann, the team at Porsche Santa Clarita created a period correct custom, which is what we would have done if Galpin had a Porsche dealership in 1955. The body of the 356 was upgraded with shaved rocker moldings and rear reflectors, a louvered deck lid, and filled, smoothed and chromed bumpers.

A custom-mixed Blue-Green paint from PPG accents the tailored body, as does a set of 1960 magnesium Halibrand knock-off wheels finished in House of Kolor gold with a matte clear finish. Under the rear decklid lies an upgraded 1600SC flat-four air-cooled pushrod engine with chromed components mated to a 519 transaxle.

The interior features red leather with tartan inserts and color-matched Blue-Green trim. Porsche Santa Clarita technician Nicolas Briseno carried out the mechanical restoration while Dave Shuten of Galpin Speed Shop completed the body and paint modifications. See it on display at the Wunderground at Porsche Santa Clarita.