1951 Porsche 356

1951 Porsche 356 #11186, Australia’s 3rd 356, built RHD in 1951 Split Screen 1300cc in Radium Green with beige cloth trim.

Landed in 1952 and was the first customer delivered Porsche in Australia.

Ordered new by Edward Lewis in Melbourne (Kelly and Lewis Pumps Pty Ltd) who worked closely with Norman Hamilton Porsche Distributors and were also pump suppliers for the Snowy Mountain Hydro Electricity Scheme.

Unfortunately, Edward suffered a stroke shortly after taking delivery and Norman Hamilton used to go around every second weekend and take him for a drive so he could still enjoy his rare sports car.

Following Edward’s death, the car changed hands and was owned by Les Murphy who raced the car at Albert Park, Fisherman’s Bend and various hill climbs.

In 1960, Dutton’s bought the car with damaged panel work. A. O Dutton & Sons were the official Porsche Factory repair agents for Norman Hamilton with the first factory repair jig and spray booth to apply the original Glasurit enamel paint.

Jeff Dutton remembers it well “It was pale yellow then. We bought the car damaged, repaired it and Dad (Alby) used it was a daily driver, taking me to school in it and it was a very special and rare car even then.”

In the late 60’s Dutton’s sold the car to the eccentric Porsche collector Ted Herbert, who also owned the 550 Spyder now in the Fox collection.

The car ran a bearing and Ted put it off the road in 1971.

Over a 24 year period, a young and very persistent Greg O’Keefe eventually talked ted into selling him the car in 1995.

Greg then changed the colour back to its original Radium Green and kept the faded interior trim.

Greg used the car occasionally in the Porsche 356 Club events and in the late 90’s he loaned the car to Jeff Dutton who did the Melbourne Mille with Pat Coram.

Jeff fondly recalls “the little 1300 engine just hummed along keeping up with all of the rally field.”

The engine P-20790 and transmission have been fully rebuilt.

This Porsche is a complete time warp and is one of the most original and extremely important early examples in the world.

Please do not hesitate to contact one of our classic car consultants.