2017 Chesil Speedster

Highlights 

• Iconic model with modern underpinnings

• Retains the air-cooled charm of the original 356

• Original build sheet

• Well-maintained

• Incredibly low mileage

Overview

We think it's safe to say that James Dean was one of the coolest Hollywood stars to ever grace the silver screen. From his career defining role as disaffected teenager Jim in Rebel without a Cause to his various motorsport antics away from the bright lights of Tinseltown, Dean's rakish charm and natural talent captured the spirit of '50s youth culture, cementing him as an enduring icon in the process.

But it's those racing aspirations that have us gushing about the man today. Famously cutting his teeth in a 356 Speedster, Dean inadvertently catapulted Porsche’s very first production model into the limelight where it has remained ever since. 

With the same body as a standard 356 cabriolet but featuring a more severely raked removable windscreen and less equipment, the Speedster was aimed at budding racers who wanted to hit the track at the weekend, and it proved to be a huge hit.

Introduced in 1954 the earliest Speedsters are now over 70 years old, which is pretty damn ancient in terms of automotive technology. Luckily there exists a company that can provide a much more modern Speedster whilst still retaining all of the characteristics that made them so popular, not just in period but ever since. And that company? Chesil.

With a rich history of producing high quality 356 Speedsters, Chesil Motor Company - working out of a bespoke facility in Bicester - has taken the blueprint set out by Porsche and improved the breed, bringing the Speedster kicking and screaming into the present with modern performance and handling.

And that's exactly what we have here – a 2017 Chesil Speedster, fully tested and registered and having covered just over 2,000 dry miles since new. Utilising a complete IRS chassis and fitted with a tuned 2007cc air-cooled engine mated to a high ratio gearbox the car is a definite step up over the original '50s model and reportedly runs like a dream.

But it's not just the mechanicals that are spot on because the car presents beautifully too. Resplendent in deep Jaguar Radiance Red paint over black leather interior we reckon old Jimmy D would have been proud of this one.

History and documentation

• 2017 model year

• V5C present and correct

• First registered 01 Feb 2018

• Build history and supporting invoices

• VW garage manuals

• Two sets of keys plus immobiliser fobs

• Two owners from new with the first being Chesil

• Part built by the vendor and finished and checked by Chesil

• Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) present and correct 

• MOT until 20 Jan 2026

• 2,038 miles

Interior

• The black leather seats and interior trim look to be in excellent condition

• The matching door cards and dash appear undamaged

• Wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel and EMPI billet aluminium round gear knob look great and are in excellent condition

• The carpet has a small amount of wear but the floor mats have helped 

• Working wind up windows

• Clock

• Retro sound period radio with two speakers under the dash

• Immobiliser

• Low fuel warning light

• Heated screen

• Oil temperature warning dipstick triggers dash light

• Bluetooth battery monitor installed along with onboard charger

• Positive and negative outlets plus led wandering light

• The boot space presents well, as does the engine bay

Exterior

• The exterior paintwork looks great with no major defects, marks or blemishes

• No visible dents to the bodywork

• All of the chrome trim pieces on the body are in good order although the vendor reports that the nearside rubber on the rear bumper has shrunk back by 20mm

• All shut lines appear straight

• All of the glasswork seems to be free from damage

• No evidence of any corrosion

• Rear parking sensors

• The Duck roof looks to be in excellent condition and appears to fit well with no evidence of any water ingress into the cabin

• The 15” steel wheels are free from damage but the chrome has come off in places and the baby moon hubcaps have slight denting near the rims as well as some pitting to the chrome 

• The vendor informs us that the battery and tyres are in good condition and the underside of the car is in fine fettle

Mechanical

• IRS chassis

• 2.0-litre air-cooled four-cylinder engine (new when the car was built)

• Dual ICT Weber carburettors

• Performance camshaft

• Remote oil cooler

• Electronic distributor

• Stainless steel exhaust

• High ratio manual gearbox

• The vendor tells us that the car is always garaged

• Some spares provided, including valve covers and some gaskets

• The vendor informs us that the car starts and drives well, the brakes are good and that the whole car was built with either new or reconditioned parts where possible

Summary

The Porsche 356 Speedster will forever be iconic but what Chesil have done is provide an updated and reliable facsimile that is safer, better performing and arguably more enjoyable to drive than the original and this particular example is the proof of the pudding. 

Handsome and stylish but with more modern underpinnings and improved performance whilst still retaining that air-cooled charm, it's a giant leap forward that won't give you any trouble along the way, so channel your inner rebel because owning and enjoying this Speedster is cause enough.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Ringwood, Hampshire.