1965 | Porsche 356 C 1600

1965 Porsche 356c Carrera Panamericana tribute.
Registration Number: KHH534C
58,156 Indicated miles.
Larosserie Number: 221 422
The car also has Italian papers meaniing no taxes need be paid should the car return to Europe.
The owner of this eye-catching 1965 356c 1600 had a real love for the road rallies of yesteryear, and it was one of those events – the original Carrera Panamericana – that inspired this build.
The event ran in Mexico for five consecutive years between 1950 and 1954, with competitors originally racing from the Texas to Guatemala border covering over 2,000 miles of open road. Interestingly, the Carrera Panamericana was masterminded by the Mexican government as a way to showcase the country’s new highway, and this resulted in drivers from all over the world flocking to the country to compete in all manner of vehicles. Because who wouldn’t want to go flat-out on public roads with the authorities’ blessing?
Despite its short run in the early ’50s, the Carrera Panamericana was resurrected in 1988 as a classic rally, and today it continues to take in some of the original route.
This 356c is finished in pale grey/green with the paintwork being in really lovely condition. To the interior are red leather seats with just the right amount of patina along with new edge bound red carpets under foot. To the rear are a pair of small seats that fold flat to form a luggage shelf with leather straps to retain said luggage.
The car is fully liveried in Pan Americana decals with number 38 & a dark grey triple racing stripe going from front to rear. The rear mounted luggage rack has a spare tyre show like the rest of the wheels with 15" continental contact tyres. The bonnet lifts to reveal a useful luggage space & is also where the battery resides. Yellow driving lamps are installed up front & bumpers removed to give a correct rally appearance.
Mechanically the car is spot on with the rebuilt 1600cc flat 4 boxer engine starting readily & providing plenty of go. The engine bay is tidy & the engine runs quietly making all the right noises. These little porsches are a pleasure to drive being light on the steering & very nimble on twisty roads. This car is well suited to historic rallies or indeed for a trip to Mexico for the Pan Americana.