A Bite of History: by Mike Thies

1958 Porsche 356 Speedster

The 1958 Porsche 356 Speedster marks the swan song of one of Porsche’s most iconic and minimalist models. Originally introduced in 1954 at the urging of U.S. importer Max Hoffman, the Speedster was designed to be a low cost, lightweight, stripped-down entry sports car that could double as a weekend racer, especially for the California sports car scene. With its low windshield, removable side curtains, and a simple folding top, it embodied pure driving joy.

By 1958, the Speedster had reached its final production year. Built on the improved 356A "T2" platform, it featured a more refined transaxle, better seating, and optional higher-performance engines, like the 1600 Super and the rare 1500 Carrera GS with its exotic four-cam motor. Despite these upgrades on other models, the Speedster remained spartan, its charm rooted in simplicity and agility.

Today, the 1958 Speedster is a blue-chip collectible, revered for its raw charisma, motorsport lineage, and status as the ultimate expression of Porsche’s early design spirit. Its final-year status and limited numbers only enhance its desirability among collectors worldwide.

Note: The nickname “Bathtub Porsche” refers to early Porsche 356 models, especially those from the late 1940s through the early 1950s, because of their distinctive, smooth, rounded body shape that resembled an upside-down bathtub.