1959 Porsche 356 A Carrera 1600 GS 'Sunroof' Coupe by Reutter

The automotive world occasionally witnesses the perfect convergence of engineering, aesthetics, and exclusivity. Few vehicles embody this rare combination quite like the Porsche 356 A Carrera 1600 GS ‘Sunroof’ Coupe by Reutter. This remarkable automobile represents not just a car, but the culmination of Porsche’s early design philosophy and engineering prowess.

The Porsche 356, the company’s first production model, began its journey in 1948 in Gmünd, Austria, where approximately 50 hand-crafted aluminum-bodied cars emerged from a converted sawmill. When production moved to Zuffenhausen, Germany in 1950, Porsche contracted with Reutter to build steel bodies for the expanding 356 lineup. This partnership would prove instrumental in creating some of the most coveted automobiles in history.

By late 1955, the 356 A was introduced with numerous small but significant changes from the original “pre-A” models. The curved windshield replaced the earlier bent design, and the overall refinement level increased substantially. Within this evolution came something truly special – the Carrera variants.

What transformed the already excellent 356 into something extraordinary was the introduction of the four-cam “Carrera” engine. Initially available only in Porsche’s race cars, this engine became an option in the 356 A, creating what many consider automotive perfection.

The Carrera 1600 GS featured the legendary Type 692/2 engine – a masterpiece designed by Ernst Fuhrmann. This 1.6-liter four-cam flat-four power plant was a technical marvel that featured plain main bearings instead of roller bearings, distinguishing it from earlier Carrera engines. With twin Solex 40 PII-4 carburetors, it produced 105 bhp at 6,500 rpm – an impressive figure for its time.

Unlike the more race-focused Carrera GT, which could produce 141 bhp with higher compression and Weber carburetion, the GS was specifically engineered for road use. The somewhat detuned nature of the engine made it more suitable for long-distance touring while still delivering exhilarating performance.

Porsche began producing the Carrera de Luxe model in May 1957 as a road-going alternative to the track-focused Carrera GT. The de Luxe variant aimed at enthusiasts who wanted the thrill of the four-cam engine but with greater comfort and refinement for everyday use.

The 1959 model year was particularly significant for the Carrera de Luxe, as it was the only year to receive the larger 1600cc four-cam engine in this luxury specification. With a weight of approximately 975 kg, the car could reach 60 mph in 10.8 seconds and achieve a top speed of 118 mph – impressive figures that balanced performance with grand touring capability.

The exclusivity of the Carrera 1600 GS cannot be overstated. Only 31 such coupes were built for the 1959 model year, making it one of the rarest Porsche variants ever produced. Less than 100 De Luxe Speedsters, Roadsters, and Coupes in total came off the production line in 1959 before the model was phased out and replaced by the pushrod 356 Super 90.

The ‘Sunroof’ variant represents an even rarer subset of these already exclusive automobiles. When ordered with this highly desirable factory option, these cars became among the most sought-after Porsches in existence.

What truly set the 1600 GS de Luxe apart from its GT sibling was its focus on comfort and refinement. The car featured substantial sound deadening, real glass windows (versus the Plexiglas versions on the GT), and a new Eberspächer B3 heater that took up all available space in the engine compartment.

The ‘Sunroof’ Coupe was often specified with an impressive array of options that catered to the grand touring aspirations of its owners. These typically included a Blaupunkt radio with dual loudspeakers, a rear luggage rack, an electric clock, an 80-liter fuel tank for extended journeys, and even a factory-installed roll bar.

Many examples received Rudge-style center-lock wheels, front fog lamps, and sumptuous leather interior upholstery – all contributing to the car’s status as the pinnacle of the 356 range.

Car and Driver magazine in 1960 perhaps described it best when they wrote that “Porsche is the simplest definition of the term Gran Turismo, a machine that is ‘grand’ for ‘touring’, a status symbol of connoisseurs who know automobiles and appreciate fine points of design and craftsmanship”.

This sentiment perfectly encapsulates what makes the 356 A Carrera 1600 GS so special. It wasn’t simply a fast car, nor merely a luxurious one – it represented the perfect synthesis of performance, comfort, and craftsmanship.

Today, these rare machines command extraordinary prices at auction, with recent examples selling between $566,000 and $637,500. Yet their value transcends mere money; they represent an approach to automotive design that prioritized driving pleasure, engineering excellence, and timeless aesthetics.

What makes the Porsche 356 A Carrera 1600 GS ‘Sunroof’ Coupe by Reutter particularly special is how it balanced seemingly contradictory virtues. It combined race-derived engineering with everyday usability. It offered exhilarating performance without sacrificing comfort. It featured innovative technology within a classically beautiful form.

For the fortunate few who’ve experienced one firsthand, this model represents not just a highlight of Porsche’s storied history, but one of the finest expressions of what a sports car can be – a perfect machine for covering long distances at high speed, in supreme comfort, with undeniable style. It remains, quite simply, automotive perfection incarnate.