The 1959 Porsche 356 A Convertible D 1600 is one of the rarest and most distinctive open versions of the early Porsche 356, created as the direct successor to the Speedster and produced for only a brief period by Karosseriewerke Drauz.
This specific 1959 Porsche 356 Convertible D 1600 has been sold and is now preserved in the Giro Classico archive of previously handled collector cars. The current Giro Classico page clearly confirms its SOLD status.
1959 Porsche 356 A Convertible D
The Convertible D was introduced as Porsche searched for a more practical evolution of the famous 356 Speedster.
The concept retained the low, lightweight and sporting character of the Speedster but added greater usability through:
- a taller windscreen
- wind-up side windows
- improved weather protection
- a more substantial soft top
- more comfortable seats
- a more refined interior
The result was an open Porsche that remained unmistakably sporting but was better suited to touring and everyday use.
What does the “D” mean?
The D refers to Drauz, the Heilbronn coachbuilder responsible for producing the Convertible D body.
Karosseriewerke Drauz built the model between 1958 and 1959 before Porsche moved to the next evolution of the open 356, the 356 B Roadster.
Only 1,331 Convertible D examples were produced, making it one of the rarest regular-production open 356 variants.
Speedster → Convertible D → Roadster
The Convertible D occupies a particularly interesting position in Porsche history:
356 Speedster → 356 A Convertible D → 356 B Roadster
The Speedster was the most minimalist interpretation, originally developed in response to the American market.
The Convertible D retained its sporting proportions but introduced proper side windows, a higher windscreen and improved weather protection.
The later Roadster continued the same philosophy into the 356 B generation.
This short transitional role is one reason the Convertible D is so appealing to collectors today.
1.6-litre air-cooled flat-four
The Convertible D was offered with Porsche’s 1,582 cc air-cooled flat-four engine, paired with a four-speed manual transaxle.
Standard 1600 versions produced approximately 60 bhp, while the more powerful 1600 Super offered around 75 bhp. Period technical specifications also included independent suspension and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
Performance was modest by modern standards, but that is not what defines the car.
Its character comes from:
- low weight
- compact dimensions
- rear-engine traction
- responsive steering
- mechanical simplicity
- excellent balance
These qualities established the driving philosophy that would remain central to Porsche for decades.
One-year-only collector appeal
The Convertible D is especially desirable because it effectively belongs to a single production-year period.
RM Sotheby’s describes it as a one-year-only body style, with the 1,331 cars built during the short transition between the Speedster and the later Roadster.
That gives the model several strong collector attributes:
- limited production
- Drauz coachwork
- direct Speedster lineage
- open 356 body
- distinctive transitional specification
- strong international recognition
Convertible D versus Speedster
The two models are closely related, but the driving experience and usability differ.
The 356 Speedster offers:
- lower windscreen
- removable side curtains
- more minimal interior
- stronger competition influence
- the purest lightweight appearance
The Convertible D adds:
- wind-up windows
- taller windscreen
- better soft-top protection
- improved seats
- greater touring comfort
For some collectors, the Convertible D offers the ideal balance between Speedster styling and practical road use.
Convertible D versus 356 B Roadster
The later Roadster continued the Convertible D idea into the updated 356 B generation.
The Convertible D therefore represents the final development of the 356 A open-sports-car concept, while the Roadster belongs to the newer B-series body and mechanical evolution.
Collectors often value the Convertible D precisely because it preserves the elegant 356 A proportions while adding some of the usability associated with later open cars.
What to inspect before buying a Porsche 356 Convertible D
Because these cars are valuable and frequently restored, a specialist inspection should focus on:
- chassis number
- Drauz body identification
- body numbers
- engine type and number
- gearbox
- floors and longitudinals
- battery box
- suspension mounting areas
- accident repairs
- panel alignment
- hood frame
- wind-up window mechanisms
- brakes and steering
- restoration documentation
- Porsche Kardex or Certificate records
Structural condition is particularly important. A beautifully painted 356 can still hide expensive corrosion or incorrect previous repairs.
Originality and provenance
On a rare open Porsche 356, collector value depends heavily on the quality of the individual car.
Important factors include:
- original body identity
- correct Drauz construction
- matching or period-correct engine
- gearbox specification
- factory colour combination
- restoration quality
- ownership history
- Kardex documentation
A replacement period-correct engine does not automatically make a car undesirable, but it should always be transparently documented and reflected in the valuation.
This 1959 Porsche 356 Convertible D has been sold
This specific 1959 Porsche 356 D-Convertible 1600 is no longer available. Giro Classico clearly marks it as SOLD and invites collectors searching for another similar car to enquire directly.
The page remains online as a useful historical and SEO reference for collectors researching:
- Porsche 356 Convertible D
- Porsche 356 A
- Drauz-bodied Porsche
- open Porsche 356 models
- Speedster successors
- rare 1950s Porsche collector cars
Looking for an open Porsche 356 currently available?
The strongest current internal alternative is the 1965 Porsche 356 SC Cabriolet, currently available through Giro Classico.
Discover the 1965 Porsche 356 SC Cabriolet currently available at Giro Classico
The SC Cabriolet represents the opposite end of the 356 development timeline: where the Convertible D belongs to the late 356 A era, the SC is the final and most refined evolution of the model.
The current example features:
- 95 hp air-cooled flat-four
- four-wheel disc brakes
- European-market specification
- original Irish Grün factory colour
- period-correct 1965 KD-series engine
- matching body numbers
- Porsche Certificate of Authenticity
- more than 400 restoration photographs
- approximately 2,000 km since restoration
It is currently offered on a Price on Request basis.
Convertible D or 356 SC Cabriolet?
The 1959 Convertible D offers:
- rarer one-year-only production
- Drauz coachwork
- direct Speedster lineage
- lighter and more minimalist character
- late 356 A styling
The 1965 356 SC Cabriolet offers:
- stronger 95 hp performance
- four-wheel disc brakes
- greater comfort and refinement
- final-generation 356 engineering
- a collector-quality example available today
For someone specifically searching for another Convertible D, dedicated sourcing is still the correct solution. For a buyer looking for a high-level open Porsche 356 available now, the SC Cabriolet is the most relevant current alternative.
Another early Porsche 356 currently available
Collectors attracted more by the early 356 A and Pre-A era should also consider the 1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 Coupé.
Discover the 1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 Coupé currently available at Giro Classico
The current Pre-A is a rare bent-window example originally finished in Fish Silver Grey 5406B over red, accompanied by a factory Kardex copy, ASI certification, ACI/CSAI Fiche and documented restoration history. Giro Classico currently lists it at €178,000.
Looking specifically for another Porsche 356 Convertible D?
Giro Classico can assist with the search for:
- Porsche 356 A Convertible D
- Porsche 356 Speedster
- Porsche 356 B Roadster
- Porsche 356 Cabriolet
- 1600 and 1600 Super examples
- matching-numbers or period-correct cars
- restored or highly original Porsche 356s
The process can include private and off-market sourcing, Kardex verification, chassis and engine checks, restoration assessment, pre-purchase inspection, valuation, negotiation and international logistics.
Discover Giro Classico’s Collector Car Advisory service
For further information regarding sourcing a Porsche 356 Convertible D, verifying Drauz bodywork or factory documentation, arranging a specialist inspection, or regarding the 1965 Porsche 356 SC Cabriolet currently available, please contact us directly.
Because in the end, we never truly own these cars, we simply preserve them for the next generation.
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