BACKGROUND TO THE PORSCHE 356 BT5
At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1959, Porsche launched the 356 B. It featured a number of visual and mechanical updates but retained the essential Porsche DNA that made the 356 such an attractive proposition. Two variants were produced: the T-5 from September 1959 to August 1961 and the T-6 from September 1961 to July 1963.
The Porsche 356 B T5 Coupe is a beautifully refined iteration of Porsche s first production sports car, blending classic styling with improved drivability. Produced between 1959 and 1961, the T5 version of the 356 B introduced subtle yet significant design updates, including a higher front bumper, revised headlight placement, and larger front and rear grilles for better cooling.
Ignoring the expensive line of four cam Carrera derivatives (covered separately), customers could choose from three different engines that variously produced 60bhp (1600), 75bhp (1600 Super) and 90bhp (1600 Super 90). Three body styles were also available: Coupe, Cabriolet and Roadster.
Like its predecessors, the 356 B featured a steel unibody type assembly. For this latest application, the floorpan was modified to accommodate a different gearbox linkage and new rear seats but was otherwise little changed. Suspension-wise not much was different either. Fully independent all round, it used transverse torsion bars and trailing arms with additional swing axles at the rear.
The main change was made on the flagship Super 90 which came with a compensating rear spring to keep the back wheels as flat as possible under load. As part of the package, softer rear torsion bars were fitted (reduced from 24mm to 23mm). This arrangement was a cost option on the 1600 and 1600 Super. Also present on the Super 90 were adjustable Koni springs. The combined effect of all these changes saw it become easily the best handling 356.
THE HISTORY OF CHASSIS NUMBER 111371
Chassis Number 111371 was completed at Stuttgart, Zuffenhausen in April 1960 and supplied new as a Right Hand Drive model via AFN Limited, England and delivered to its first owner, Mr H.L Appley via AFN Limited on 26th May 1960.
Ownership History
26th May 1960 H.L Appley Ltd
4th January 1972 Terrance William Bailey
9th July 1976 Robert Riddle
12th March 2021 Current Owner
Background to 111371:
Chassis 111371 was sold new by AFN on the 20th May 1960 and supplied new as RHD model and delivered new in Ruby red over grey leatherette with engine number 86384 early correspondence between Mr Ripley the first owner and Porsche specify that he wanted a super 90 model from new.
The car is provided with all its original factory liteatuare including, original factory paint code chart, handbooks, accessory book, service book.
The cars history file is nothing short of breathtaking! A suitcase and 2 box files contain every piece of documentation relating to the car including all its original service books, delivery letters, sales literature, owners manuals, colour chart, buff logbook, a letter from AFN presenting the owner with a factory workshop manual, the list of very early documentation .
Mr Terrance William Bailey purchased the car on the 4th January 1972 he kept the car for 4 years and sold it to Robert Riddle who kept the car up to 2021 where the current owner bought the car. Robert exported the car to Australia in 1982 and kept the car there till 2018.
Mr riddle moved to Belgium and bought the car with him and sold it to it’s present owner in 2021 who has a significantly important collection of Porsche’s built between 1953-1973.
The history file of 111371
The history of this super 356 is perhaps the best we’ve ever come across in any 356! The car even has its original correspondence between AFN and the first owner.
Below is a list of some of the highlights of the cars history file.
- Original Kardex of 111371
- RF 60 Buff Log book
- Original sales letters of 1960 Between AFN and Mr Ripley of Wolverhampton with his order and spec of the car
- Original 356 BT5 Colour chart
- Original owners manual
- Factory accessories book.
- A Notebook of the recorded mileage form day one
- Original koni shock leafleat.
- Original maintence instructions for Porsche bodies.
- Original Porsche 356 BT5 Workshop manual
- Original Porsche price list.
- Service book.
- Marschall headlight leaflet
- MOT Certificates dating back to 1976.
As well as many invoices for works that where carried out on the car.
