1960 Porsche 356 B Super 90 Coupe
- Original specification
- Sold new in Germany and lived in California for many years
- Porsche Heritage Certificate
- Matching numbers engine and gearbox
- Superb condition
| YEAR | 1960 |
| MAKE | Porsche |
| PRICE | £ Please Ask |
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION
Completed on 29th July 1960, this Porsche 356B Super 90 Coupe is a highly desirable matching-numbers example of one of the most sought-after variants in the 356 lineage. Finished from new in Ruby Red (6002) with a Leatherette and Cord interior, it was supplied through Porsche dealer Maheg in Munich and specified with a number of attractive factory options, including chrome wheels, twin fog lamps and an electric timer. The accompanying Porsche Certificate of Authenticity confirms the car retains its original Super 90 engine, number 801082, together with its original transmission, number 39135.
The Super 90 occupied a unique position within the Porsche range, offering significantly greater performance than the standard 356 whilst retaining the reliability and usability that helped establish the marque’s reputation worldwide. Consequently, surviving matching-numbers examples have become increasingly coveted by collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The history file accompanying this car provides a fascinating insight into its life over more than six decades. Particularly charming is a collection of original California registration documents dating from the early 1970s, which place the Porsche in the ownership of Robert W. Davis of Pasadena, California. These surviving registrations trace the car’s life in Southern California between 1972 and 1978, offering an unusually detailed snapshot of its American ownership.
Amongst the paperwork is an original California Highway Patrol traffic citation issued whilst the Porsche was in Californian ownership. Whilst perhaps not the sort of document usually found within a history file, it provides a delightful and highly authentic connection to the car’s past. It is a reminder that this Super 90 was not preserved as a static exhibit but was driven and enjoyed on the roads for which it was built.
Today, the car is offered with its Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and a substantial accompanying history file, supporting both its provenance and originality. Finished in one of the most attractive period colour combinations and retaining its matching numbers engine and gearbox, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire an exceptionally well-documented example of one of Porsche’s most significant early sports cars.
MODEL HISTORY
By the late 1950s, Porsche had firmly established itself as one of Europe’s most respected manufacturers of sporting motor cars. The 356 had evolved continuously since its introduction in 1948, gaining performance, refinement and sophistication whilst remaining true to Ferry Porsche’s original philosophy of lightweight engineering and driving enjoyment.
Introduced in 1959, the 356B featured a revised body design with raised bumpers and headlights, improving both practicality and visual presence. Beneath the skin, Porsche continued to refine the formula that had made the 356 such a success, creating a car equally at home on Alpine passes, autobahns and race circuits.
At the pinnacle of the pushrod-engined range sat the Super 90. Producing 90 horsepower from its 1.6-litre flat-four engine, it delivered performance that belied its modest capacity. Capable of approaching 110mph and offering brisk acceleration, the Super 90 bridged the gap between the standard production models and the more expensive four-cam Carrera variants.
What makes the Super 90 particularly appealing today is that it combines much of the Carrera’s performance with the simplicity, reliability and lower running costs of the conventional pushrod engine. As a result, many enthusiasts regard it as the sweet spot of the 356 range — fast enough to be genuinely exciting, yet robust enough to be enjoyed regularly.
More than sixty years after production, the 356 remains one of the purest expressions of the Porsche ethos. Light, communicative and beautifully engineered, it offers a driving experience that feels every bit as special today as it did when new. The Super 90, with its additional performance and relative rarity, is widely considered one of the most desirable and rewarding variants of all.