1955
1955 Porsche 356 1500 Speedster
Matching Numbers • Extraordinary Provenance • Over Two Decades of Documentation • One of the Most Thoroughly Documented Speedsters We've Encountered
MOTORVAULT is proud to offer this exceptional 1955 Porsche 356 1500 Speedster, chassis 80622, a matching numbers example accompanied by one of the most comprehensive documentation archives we have encountered. Finished in its factory-correct Red over Black Leatherette, this early Speedster is supported by its Porsche Certificate of Authenticity confirming the original engine and transmission, decades of documented ownership, an extensive restoration file, detailed engine rebuild records, machine shop specifications, restoration photography, Porsche 356 Registry history, and continuous specialist servicing spanning more than twenty-five years.
Few collector automobiles possess documentation capable of telling the complete story of their preservation. VIN 80622 does exactly that. The accompanying history file chronicles not only the mechanical restoration of the car, but also the passion of its long-term caretaker through original correspondence, handwritten restoration notes, technical discussions with Porsche 356 experts, period photographs, event memorabilia, Registry publications, and thousands of dollars in documented maintenance performed by respected Porsche specialists.
Originally completed on June 6, 1955, this Speedster represents one of Porsche's earliest and most celebrated sports cars. Built during the formative years of the company's expansion into North America, the 356 Speedster embodied Ferry Porsche's vision of lightweight performance through simplicity. Its low-cut windshield, purposeful cockpit, removable side curtains, and minimal equipment established the blueprint for generations of Porsche sports cars and remain instantly recognizable more than seventy years later.
Matching numbers examples have become increasingly desirable among collectors, but examples accompanied by documentation of this caliber remain exceptionally difficult to find. From specialist restoration invoices and complete engine rebuild documentation to Registry records and decades of enthusiast ownership, this Speedster offers a level of transparency and provenance rarely available in today's collector market.
SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
Year: 1955
Make: Porsche
Model: 356 1500 Speedster
VIN: 80622
Engine Number: 35078 (Matching per Porsche Certificate of Authenticity)
Transmission Number: 6153 (Matching per Porsche Certificate of Authenticity)
Production Completion Date: June 6, 1955
Engine: 1,488cc Air-Cooled Flat-Four
Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Exterior Color: Red
Interior: Black Leatherette
Body: Reutter Coachbuilt Speedster
Factory Equipment Includes:
Matching Numbers Engine
Matching Numbers Transmission
Porsche Certificate of Authenticity
Speedometer in Miles
Steering Wheel Lock
Light Blinker Above Signal Switch
Extensive Provenance Archive
Porsche 356 Registry History
Restoration Documentation
Engine Rebuild Documentation
Restoration Photography
Historical Correspondence
Period Literature and Technical Documentation
WHY WE LOVE IT
Some collector cars impress because of their rarity. Others because of their restoration. Every so often, a car arrives that distinguishes itself through something far more difficult to recreate—its history. This Speedster is one of those cars. The Porsche 356 Speedster has long represented the foundation of Porsche's sports car legacy. Conceived by Max Hoffman as a lightweight, affordable driver's car for the American market, the Speedster quickly established itself as both a competition machine and an icon of post-war automotive design. Today, it remains one of the most recognizable and sought-after collector cars in the world.
VIN 80622 exemplifies everything enthusiasts hope to find in an early Speedster. The Porsche Certificate of Authenticity confirms its matching engine and transmission, while the matching Reutter body tag further supports the car's original identity. More importantly, the accompanying documentation provides an extraordinary level of confidence in the car's preservation.
The history file extends well beyond typical ownership records. It documents the complete engine rebuild performed by respected Porsche 356 specialist Ken Daugherty, including machine shop measurements, crankshaft balancing records, assembly photographs, progress emails, handwritten notes, and detailed invoices. Additional documentation chronicles decades of maintenance performed by Porsche specialists including Euro Autowerks, Black Forest Motors, Hash Imports, and other respected marque experts.
Equally compelling is the owner's involvement within the Porsche community. Registry membership records, event memorabilia, period correspondence, Porsche literature, and technical publications paint the picture of an enthusiast who viewed this Speedster not simply as a collector car, but as a car to preserve, understand, and enjoy.
The result is an automobile whose history can be followed through decades of careful ownership, thoughtful maintenance, and documented restoration. That level of transparency has become increasingly uncommon among early Porsche 356s and is precisely what discerning collectors value most.
While many Speedsters have been restored, very few retain the supporting documentation necessary to tell the complete story of how and why that work was performed. This example does.
For us, that's what makes this Speedster truly exceptional. It isn't simply a matching numbers Porsche…it is one of the most thoroughly documented early Speedsters we've had the privilege to represent.
OWNERSHIP & PROVENANCE
Chassis 80622 has benefited from decades of knowledgeable enthusiast ownership, with an extraordinary history file documenting its preservation, restoration, and continued maintenance. The accompanying archive extends far beyond a collection of service receipts, providing an exceptionally transparent ownership history that chronicles the car's evolution through restoration, mechanical improvements, Registry participation, and continued specialist care.
The Porsche Certificate of Authenticity confirms the Speedster's original identity, including matching engine no. 35078, matching transmission no. 6153, production completion date of June 6, 1955, factory Red exterior, Black Leatherette interior, and original factory equipment. The matching Reutter body tag further supports the car's originality and identity.
One of the highlights of the documentation file is the extensive correspondence between longtime owner and numerous Porsche 356 specialists. The archive includes restoration planning, technical discussions, engine rebuild updates, handwritten repair notes, machine shop measurements, balancing sheets, invoices, period photographs, Registry correspondence, and event memorabilia accumulated over decades of stewardship.
Supporting documentation includes:
Porsche Certificate of Authenticity
Matching engine confirmation
Matching transmission confirmation
Matching Reutter body tag
Original Georgia Bill of Sale from 1975
Indiana registration history
Indiana VIN inspection documentation
Porsche 356 Registry membership records
Porsche 356 Registry publications
Porsche Owners Club materials
Porsche technical correspondence
Porsche AG correspondence
Restoration planning documents
Specialist invoices
Parts invoices
Original parts catalogs
Period Porsche literature
Restoration photography
Engine rebuild photography
Machine shop balancing records
Crankshaft measurements
Internal engine inspection records
Historical owner correspondence
Event memorabilia including Speedster 50th Anniversary materials
Historical photographs documenting ownership and restoration
This archive provides future ownership with an unusually complete history of the vehicle and reflects the level of care invested in preserving both the Speedster and its story.
DOCUMENTATION INCLUDED
The sale includes an exceptional archive documenting the preservation, restoration, and enthusiast ownership of chassis 80622. Rather than simply a collection of invoices, this file tells the complete story of the car through decades of correspondence, technical records, specialist servicing, Registry participation, and restoration photography.
Included with the vehicle are:
Porsche Certificate of Authenticity
Original Georgia Bill of Sale (1975)
Indiana title and registration history
Indiana VIN inspection documentation
Matching engine and transmission documentation
Matching Reutter body tag
Complete engine rebuild records
Engine balancing worksheets
Machine shop measurement sheets
Crankshaft inspection records
Restoration progress photography
Engine assembly photography
Test stand photography
Extensive restoration invoices
Specialist service invoices
Handwritten technician notes
Restoration planning documents
Porsche 356 Registry membership records
Porsche 356 Registry magazines
Porsche Owners Club publications
Porsche AG correspondence
Technical correspondence with Porsche 356 specialists
Period parts invoices
Stoddard Imported Cars invoices
Sasco Sports invoices
Tweeks invoices
California Car Cover documentation
Michelin XAS tire invoices
Porsche Boutique and Accessories literature
Speedster 50th Anniversary memorabilia
Historical owner correspondence
Historical photographs
Tow records
Miscellaneous restoration records accumulated over decades of ownership
This archive represents one of the most complete documentation packages we have encountered accompanying an early Porsche 356 Speedster.
EXTERIOR
Finished in its factory-correct Red, this early Speedster presents exactly as enthusiasts expect from one of Porsche's most iconic designs. The body retains the unmistakable proportions that have defined the Speedster for generations, from its low-cut windshield and rounded front fenders to its clean rear deck and minimalist brightwork.
The finish presents as a well-maintained older restoration with honest signs of use appropriate for a collector-grade driver's example. Rather than presenting as an over-restored concours car, the exterior maintains the character expected of a Speedster that has continued to be exercised and carefully maintained throughout its life.
Exterior highlights include:
Factory-correct Red exterior
Matching Reutter body identification tag
Correct low-profile Speedster windshield
Chrome bumpers with overriders
Beehive taillights
Chrome body trim
Correct Porsche badging
Twin decklid grille
Proper Speedster body lines
Correct brightwork throughout
The underside continues the story of careful preservation. Factory-style undercoating remains visible, while restoration photographs included in the documentation archive illustrate various stages of mechanical work performed over the years. The underside presents honestly with age-appropriate patina and no indication of excessive cosmetic detailing intended to conceal condition.
The accompanying photographic archive also documents the vehicle during numerous stages of ownership, providing buyers with an unusually transparent view into the car's long-term preservation.
INTERIOR
The cabin remains faithful to the Speedster's original purpose being an uncomplicated sports car focused entirely on the driving experience. Finished in Black Leatherette as confirmed by the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, the interior reflects the simplicity that helped define Porsche's earliest sports cars.
Unlike later grand touring models, the Speedster dispensed with unnecessary luxuries in favor of lightweight construction and direct driver engagement. That philosophy remains evident throughout the cockpit.
Interior features include:
Factory-correct Black Leatherette upholstery
Correct VDO instrumentation
Factory mile-per-hour speedometer
Matching tachometer
Ivory shift knob
Body-color dashboard
Correct switchgear
Original-style rubber floor coverings
Speedster bucket seats
Three-spoke steering wheel
Steering wheel lock
Factory light blinker above signal switch
The instrumentation presents particularly well, with the characteristic green-letter VDO gauges displaying excellent clarity and period-correct appearance. The odometer currently reads approximately 6,574 miles, although mileage should be considered TMU (True Mileage Unknown) due to the vehicle's age.
The interior exhibits honest, age-appropriate character consistent with a carefully preserved collector automobile rather than an over-restored showpiece. It remains inviting, authentic, and entirely appropriate for the personality of an early Speedster.
ENGINE & MECHANICAL
Power comes from the matching numbers 1,488cc air-cooled flat-four engine, number 35078, confirmed by the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity. Shifting is handled through the matching four-speed manual transmission, number 6153, creating the complete matching driveline sought by collectors of early Porsche automobiles.
The engine compartment presents as clean, functional, and appropriately detailed, retaining the honest appearance of a properly maintained collector vehicle rather than excessive cosmetic refinishing.
Visible features include:
Matching numbers engine
Matching transmission
Correct dual Solex carburetors
Original-style air cleaners
Bosch ignition components
Correct generator configuration
Factory-style engine compartment finishes
One of the defining features of this Speedster is the extraordinary documentation accompanying the engine.
The complete engine rebuild performed by Porsche 356 specialist Ken Daugherty / 356 Werkstatt is documented from beginning to end through emails, invoices, machine shop records, balancing sheets, crankshaft measurements, internal inspection reports, assembly photographs, and test stand images.
The file records:
Complete engine disassembly
Case inspection
Crankshaft inspection and measurement
Dynamic balancing
Connecting rod balancing
Cylinder head rebuilding
Valve guide replacement
Valve replacement
New piston rings
Bearing replacement
Seal and gasket replacement
Oil cooler testing
Fuel pump replacement
Distributor servicing
Clutch inspection
Carburetor adjustment
Valve adjustment
Compression verification
Engine stand testing prior to installation
The accompanying machine shop worksheets document crankshaft journal measurements, balancing specifications, and internal tolerances—details that are rarely preserved after a restoration is completed.
This level of transparency provides buyers with exceptional confidence in the quality and thoroughness of the mechanical work performed and represents one of the defining attributes of this remarkable Speedster.
SERVICE HISTORY
One of the defining characteristics of this 1955 Porsche 356 1500 Speedster is the extraordinary documentation accompanying the car. The history file chronicles more than twenty-five years of specialist maintenance, restoration, and preservation through original invoices, estimates, handwritten technician notes, machine shop records, balancing sheets, restoration photography, owner correspondence, and Porsche 356 Registry documentation.
Rather than documenting a single restoration, the file illustrates continuous stewardship by knowledgeable enthusiasts who addressed mechanical needs as they arose while preserving the originality and integrity of the vehicle. The result is a remarkably transparent ownership history that provides future caretakers with exceptional confidence in the car's long-term preservation.
Porsche Certificate of Authenticity
Included with the vehicle is the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity confirming:
VIN 80622
Production completion date of June 6, 1955
Matching engine no. 35078
Matching transmission no. 6153
Factory Red exterior
Black Leatherette interior
Steering wheel lock
Light blinker above signal switch
Factory speedometer in miles
November 1975 | Ownership Documentation
The accompanying file includes the original Georgia Bill of Sale documenting the purchase of chassis 80622 by longtime owner Stephen Garrett for $7,650, establishing ownership history dating back more than five decades. Additional documentation includes Indiana registration records and VIN inspection paperwork completed following the car's relocation to Indiana.
1999–2000 | Euro Autowerks
Documented Investment: Approximately $6,000+
One of the earliest major restoration phases documented within the history file involved a comprehensive mechanical recommissioning performed by Euro Autowerks.
Work performed included:
Complete brake system overhaul
New master cylinder
New wheel cylinders
Brake shoes and hardware
Flexible brake hoses
King pin service
Link pin rebuilding
Steering inspection
Carburetor rebuilding
Fuel system servicing
Fuel shutoff valve replacement
Fuel pump servicing
Ignition tune-up
Valve adjustment
Oil service
Electrical repairs
Door latch repairs
Lock servicing
Tire replacement and balancing
Complete inspection
Road testing
The archive also contains the original repair estimates, technician notes, correspondence discussing recommended repairs, handwritten shop comments, and final invoices documenting each phase of the work.
2000 | Black Forest Motors
Documented Investment: Approximately $1,000+
Following the initial recommissioning, additional servicing was performed by Black Forest Motors including:
Compression testing
Valve adjustment
Ignition timing adjustment
Carburetor synchronization
Fuel tank inspection
Fuel tank cleaning
Fuel system service
Mechanical inspection
Road testing
These records demonstrate the continued attention given to maintaining proper drivability following the earlier restoration work.
Late 2003 | Complete Engine Restoration
Ken Daugherty – 356 Werkstatt
Documented Investment: Approximately $8,000+
One of the most significant highlights accompanying this Speedster is the complete engine restoration performed by respected Porsche 356 specialist Ken Daugherty. Unlike many restored collector cars where only a final invoice survives, the restoration of this engine was documented virtually from beginning to end.
Included are:
Owner correspondence
Progress emails
Restoration updates
Machine shop records
Internal measurements
Crankshaft journal specifications
Connecting rod measurements
Rotating assembly balancing records
Engine assembly photographs
Test stand photographs
Final tuning documentation
Handwritten technical notes
Mechanical work included:
Complete engine disassembly
Case inspection
Crankshaft inspection
Dynamic balancing
Connecting rod balancing
Camshaft inspection
Cylinder head rebuilding
Valve guide replacement
Valve replacement
New piston rings
New bearings
New seals
Complete gasket replacement
Oil cooler pressure testing
Fuel pump replacement
Distributor inspection and servicing
Carburetor rebuilding and adjustment
Clutch inspection
Valve adjustment
Compression verification
Engine run on test stand prior to installation
Perhaps most impressive are the machine shop worksheets documenting crankshaft dimensions, balancing tolerances, and internal engine measurements—documents that are almost never retained after restoration work has been completed.
The accompanying photographs illustrate the engine throughout disassembly, machining, assembly, and final installation, providing an exceptional record of the restoration process.
2004–2010 | Continued Preservation
Throughout the following years, the Speedster continued to receive careful maintenance while participating in the Porsche 356 community.
Documentation includes:
Stoddard Imported Cars invoices
Sasco Sports invoices
California Car Cover purchases
Porsche Boutique literature
Porsche parts catalogs
Michelin XAS tire purchases
Porsche 356 Registry publications
Porsche Owners Club materials
Technical correspondence
Miscellaneous OEM replacement components
These records reinforce the owner's commitment to maintaining the car using respected Porsche suppliers and period-correct components.
2011 | Hash Imports
Mileage: Approximately 6,200 miles
Invoice Total:$3,416.17
Major mechanical servicing included:
Engine removal
Rear crankshaft seal replacement
New clutch disc
Rebuilt pressure plate
Release bearing replacement
Intake manifold gasket replacement
Valve cover gasket replacement
Valve adjustment
Fuel pressure regulator installation
Fuel pump replacement
Fuel system servicing
Carburetor adjustment
Brake adjustment
Engine oil and filter service
General inspection
Road testing
2012 | Hash Imports
Documented Investment: Approximately $700
Electrical servicing included:
Voltage regulator replacement
Charging system diagnosis
Headlight electrical repairs
Steering column electrical repairs
Ignition lock cylinder servicing
Carburetor float servicing
Needle valve servicing
2016 | Hash Imports
Documented Investment: Approximately $900
Mechanical servicing included:
Mechanical fuel pump replacement
Fuel shutoff valve replacement
Fuel pressure regulator replacement
Fuel hose replacement
Battery replacement
Carburetor adjustment
Parking brake adjustment
Mechanical inspection
2017 | Hash Imports
Invoice Total: Approximately $1,900
Brake and electrical maintenance included:
Battery replacement
Brake fluid service
Brake repairs
Electrical repairs
Fuel filter replacement
Carburetor float servicing
Mechanical inspection
2019 | Hash Imports
Routine maintenance included:
Starter button repair
Push-button ignition repair
Wiper blade replacement
2021 | Hash Imports
Mileage: Approximately 6,450 miles
Invoice Total:$2,289.44
Work performed included:
Starter replacement
Starter bushing replacement
Ground cable replacement
Battery cable replacement
Brake wheel cylinder servicing
Brake system bleeding
Turn signal switch repair
Charging system adjustment
Fuel filter replacement
Fuel hose replacement
Mechanical inspection
Road testing
May 2025 | Hash Imports
Mileage: Approximately 6,520 miles
Invoice Total:$4,302.36
Comprehensive servicing included:
Fuel shutoff valve replacement
Fuel tank draining and cleaning
Solex carburetors removed, cleaned, and rebuilt
Generator rebuild
Voltage regulator replacement
Starter relay installation
Charging system diagnosis and repair
Turn signal flasher replacement
Battery replacement
Generator belt replacement
Spark plug replacement
Engine oil and filter service
Final charging system verification (7.4 volts)
February 2026 | Hash Imports
Mileage: Approximately 6,570 miles
Invoice Total:$3,117.34
Most recent documented servicing included:
Pushrod tube replacement
Pushrod tube seal replacement
Valve adjustment
Rear wheel cylinder replacement
Rear wheel seal replacement
Brake system bleeding
Engine oil service
Correction of minor oil seepage
Final inspection and road test
Documentation Summary
The accompanying archive documents well over $20,000 in specialist servicing and restoration over the past several decades, with invoices spanning from the late 1990s through early 2026. Combined with the complete engine rebuild records, Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, Registry history, restoration photography, and owner correspondence, this represents one of the most complete and transparent documentation files we have encountered on an early Porsche 356 Speedster.
For collectors, provenance extends beyond matching numbers. It is the confidence that comes from understanding how a car has been maintained, who cared for it, and the quality of the work performed throughout its life. Chassis 80622 offers precisely that level of confidence.
MARKET PERSPECTIVE
Few automobiles have influenced sports car history quite like the Porsche 356 Speedster. Originally developed at the request of importer Max Hoffman, the Speedster introduced American buyers to a lighter, more affordable Porsche focused entirely on driving enjoyment. Its minimalist philosophy, distinctive low-profile windshield, and lightweight construction established a design language that continues to influence Porsche sports cars today.
Demand for early Speedsters has remained remarkably strong among collectors worldwide, with matching numbers examples commanding particular attention. While originality, condition, and restoration quality remain essential considerations, provenance has become an increasingly important factor in today's collector market.
Chassis 80622 distinguishes itself not only through its matching engine and transmission confirmed by the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, but through the remarkable transparency of its ownership history. Decades of specialist invoices, restoration correspondence, engine rebuild records, machine shop documentation, Registry participation, historical photographs, and continuous maintenance provide future ownership with a level of confidence that is rarely available with automobiles of this era.
The extensive archive accompanying this Speedster demonstrates careful stewardship rather than periodic restoration. Each chapter of the car's history has been preserved, allowing the next caretaker to understand not only what work was performed, but why it was performed and by whom.
For collectors seeking an early Porsche with exceptional documentation, matching numbers, and a history that can be traced through generations of ownership, this Speedster represents an opportunity that seldom presents itself.
MOTORVAULT PERSPECTIVE
Every collector car has a story. Some stories are pieced together through speculation. Others are reconstructed from fragments of paperwork. Then there are cars like this Speedster, where the story has been carefully preserved alongside the automobile itself.
From the original 1975 bill of sale to the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, from detailed engine rebuild correspondence to decades of Registry involvement and specialist servicing, nearly every chapter of chassis 80622's life has been documented. Matching engine. Matching transmission. Matching Reutter body tag. Complete engine rebuild records. Restoration photography. Machine shop measurements. Registry history. Specialist correspondence. Continuous maintenance.
It is precisely the type of provenance that cannot be recreated once lost.
For us, this Speedster represents everything we hope to find in an important collector automobile…authenticity, transparency, mechanical integrity, and an ownership history preserved with extraordinary care.
We are proud to present one of the most thoroughly documented Porsche 356 Speedsters to pass through MOTORVAULT.
INCLUDED WITH SALE
Porsche Certificate of Authenticity
Extensive provenance archive
Original Georgia Bill of Sale
Indiana title and registration documentation
Matching numbers documentation
Complete engine rebuild file
Machine shop measurements
Engine balancing records
Restoration progress photographs
Historical ownership records
Porsche 356 Registry documentation
Porsche 356 Registry magazines
Porsche Owners Club publications
Porsche AG correspondence
Specialist correspondence
Restoration invoices
Service records spanning more than twenty-five years
Original parts invoices
Period Porsche literature
Speedster 50th Anniversary memorabilia
Historical photographs
Miscellaneous restoration documentation
CONTACT
Brian Henry
MOTORVAULT
(317) 522-8260
brian@motorvault.com
Ralph Haga
MOTORVAULT
(309) 721-9725
ralph@motorvault.com
TERMS & DISCLOSURE
This 1955 Porsche 356 1500 Speedster is offered on consignment by MOTORVAULT, Indianapolis, Indiana.
We have made every effort to present this vehicle accurately using our physical inspection and the extensive documentation supplied by the consignor. Information regarding matching engine and transmission numbers, production specifications, and factory equipment is based upon the accompanying Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and supporting historical documentation.
Prospective buyers are encouraged to review the extensive documentation archive accompanying the vehicle and are welcome to arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection. Additional photographs, videos, paint meter readings, underbody images, documentation scans, and walk-around videos are available upon request.
MOTORVAULT specializes in exceptional collector automobiles and enthusiast vehicles, offering transparent representation and concierge-level service throughout the buying process. We are conveniently located approximately 20 minutes from Indianapolis International Airport (IND) and are happy to assist with enclosed transportation arrangements for buyers throughout the United States and internationally.