OVERVIEW
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Porsche’s most desirable convertible
California Car from 1960-2014
Numbers Matching
Concours winner
Recent Canepa Restoration
Rare and original Royal blue paint
For good reason the 356B Roadster is considered one of the most desirable open early Porsches. It is better driving and more comfortable than a Speedster, and is rarer and more attractive than a Cabriolet. The Roadster benefited from the updated 356B mechanicals, including better steering and gearbox, while wearing a sexier and more dramatic body than a B Cabriolet. This Royal Blue 1960 Porsche 356 1600 Roadster was purchased new from Dave Rasmussen VW/Porsche, Burlingame, California, by Mr. Larry Stevens as a gift for his daughter, Kay (Stevens) Small, upon her graduation from Stanford University in June, 1960.
Mr. Stevens was a well-known and respected corporate lawyer, prominent capitol lobbyist, and served with distinction as a flight deck officer aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise during World War I. However, he was probably best known as a college football All-American for USC, playing on the 1931 and 1932 national championship teams in the Rose Bowl. He was the last of the "Thundering Herd" when he died in November, 2006.
Kay Small kept this wonderful gift for the next 49 years. Initially she used it as an everyday driver but then eventually allowed her brother to enjoy it for many years. After he returned the vehicle, it sat in her garage for twelve years before she decided to restore it in 2007. The body, chassis, suspension and engine sheet metal were the work of Carol Kleindienst/Guy Walker of Just Carol's Porsche in San Jose, CA. The interior and top were done by Byron Robeck of Finish Line Interiors in Santa Clara, CA. The original engine and transmission were rebuilt by Robert Grigsby of RMG Enterprises in Sunnyvale, CA. Its
comprehensive restoration was completed in the spring of 2009. The car immediately won its class at the Hillsborough Concours d' Elegance in May 2009.
In November 2009, Ms. Small sold the car to David Rossiter of Folsom, California. After his acquisition of the car he activelv campaigned it in the Porsche Club of America's Zone 7 Concourse series, with first place finishes in all Zone 7 Concourses in 2010/11/12, and with year end awards for 2011/12 (did not participate in enough event to take year end for 2010, but won all entered.) The Roadster collected numerous other awards including wins at the Chico, Palo Alto, Capitol, Presidio, and Carmel-by-the-Sea Concourses, as well as The Legends of the Autobahn Concours in Monterey where the car was the featured
Porsche in the 2011 show program.
Acquired by Canepa in 2014, the Roadster has been taken to a whole new level of concours preparation. The car was disassembled and the exterior was refinished in its original factory Royal Blue. Every system was evaluated, and serviced or restored as necessary. Over 500 hours were put into making this Roadster one of the finest in existence. We have taken this car from a regional concours winning level to where it can perform at the highest level of competition, and win.
This is a matching numbers car with all original panels, every part with matching date stamp. It has been owned and operated in California since new, accident free, and is complete with original owner's manuals and cover, tool kit (with original packing list), jack, door tag, spare tire, and the very rare door pocket key – a Roadster only item.
As per the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, its date of manufacture was 3/31/60, VIN 87779, Engine #602440, Transmission #36491, and in its very rare (believed to be 13 only) Special Order Royal Blue (6012) exterior paint with Light Grey Leatherette interior. Optional equipment included reclining seats and Continental tires. Dealer installed options
purchased at the time of sale included: seat belts, Reuter luggage rack, Les Leston steering wheel and half tonneau cover.
