OVERVIEW
1961 Porsche 356B Super90
VIN: 117335
Ruby Red
Fully restored from the ground up by Tony Smetona
Engine pushed out to 1883cc producing 125 horsepower
Lots of 356 GT options added during restoration
Modified transmission with longer 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears
Dana Point Porsche 356 Club of Southern California Concours Best of Show Winner in 2008
Late model differential
Correct Ruby Red paint
Tony Smetona, a noted restorer based in San Clemente, bought the car from an owner who had stored the 356 on the side of his home. Passing by and noticing it, Smetona inquired about the car and shortly became the car's rescuer. Taking it back to his shop, he had full intentions to restore it as soon as he was able to and turn it into a one of a kind 356. As it turned out, Tony would find himself getting married soon after bringing the car back, followed by purchasing a house and having children. The 356 then took a back seat, staying in his possession for almost 20 years in his shop, before setting to work on restoring the Super90 back to its former glory in 2007.
The Porsche 356 Super90 was an amazing power upgrade from your standard 356 coupe, producing more horsepower than the base model. Now this car, with its custom buildout to 1883cc from the stock 1600cc and with additional special internals, produces 125 horsepower from the Super90 engine. Add on GT items such as plexiglass windows, GT seats and seat belts, and you have a Porsche that not only looks the part but will walk away from the other normal 356s in both the looks and performance department.
With the 356 being his passion project, the car would take Tony almost 2 years to complete. Stripped down to metal and repainted in its correct Ruby Red paint, that is where the similarities would end. Creating a homage 356 to the GTs, Tony would add GT seats covered in black leatherette with clotch inserts and GT belts to accompany them. A center hood fill cap would be fabricated and added, as well as the GT-specific headlamp covers. GT-style wheels with Pirelli rubber and a black roll bar completed the aesthetics of the 356.
Even though Super90s made 90 horsepower from the factory, this wasn't enough for Tony. Sourcing special parts to support the quest for power, a host of internal items were acquired and applied to the engine. Custom JE pistons, ported heads, stainless steel valves, chromoly pushrods, SC rods and crankshaft, Solex carburetors modified to 43mm, a fully modified OEM exhaust for "sport appearance" and more, yielding 125 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and a stout 117lb/ft of torque at 4,800rpm.
Smetona noted that the 356 would go on to take Best of Show in 2008 at the Dana Point Porsche 356 Club of Southern California Concours event. Tony would then sell the car in 2012 to its next owner who would keep possession of the car until 2014, where it would then find its most recent owner. Driving it sparingly, the owner noted that most of the miles were attributed to running in the Colorado Grand and the Copper State rallies, with the odometer now showing 4,908 miles since the restoration completed.
Since arriving at Canepa, the 356 was thoroughly inspected and evaluated. Wasting no time, the car would begin going through the "Canepa Difference" process, which would bring it back to show condition. The chassis was hand cleaned, as well as the trunk, interior and engine bay. The brilliant Ruby Red was polished using a multi-step process with only foam pads and polishes, so that now the paint looks ready for a concours event. The 125-horsepower engine starts up with no hesitation, pulls strongly and is ready for its next tour. Now prepared for its next owner, this Porsche 356 Super90 is ready for any long-distance rally, or just a rally to the store. Either way, you'll be smiling while you're driving.
