What Makes a Porsche Collectible? 

Although the name Porsche has become synonymous with high-dollar, high-performance sports cars, not all Porsches are "collectible" by the standards that designation implies. Is value a product of rarity or original price? Speed? Power? Not necessarily. 

The Porsche automotive company, founded in Stuttgart in 1930, did not initially design cars under its own name, but rather consulted on the development of the Volkswagen Beetle. The Porsche 64, the first vehicle to bear the now iconic name, appeared in 1939 and used many VW components. Only three were made, equipped with a VW flat 4 cylinder displacing 1131 cc and producing 32 hp. Those cars are not, however, as collectible as the Porsche 356, which was the company's first production model. 

Both light in weight and agile in performance, the 356 had a rear engine with RWD and was a two-door sports car sold as both a convertible and a hardtop. Production began in 1948 with a total run of 50 units that year. Ultimately, the model would go through four generations (original, A, B, and C) with a total production volume of 76,313 between 1948 and 1966. 

Throughout that period, the design of the cars was relatively unchanged. Of these cars, the 356 "Speedster" introduced late in 1954, is one of the most collectible. Featuring a removable, low, raked windshield, the Speedster was not displaced as a favorite until 1957 with the introduction of the Convertible D model. Originally selling for around $3,500 in the U.S., the 1955 Speedster was equipped with a 70 hp, 1290 cc, flat 4 engine. 

Depending upon condition and location, a Speedster today with the correct engine for the period would start in the vicinity of $95,000. A popular race car in its time in California, the 1955 Speedster with the 1600 engine specification was the company's first 100 mph production car and a darling of the weekend race crowd. (The Speedster was also the movie car of choice for hunks like Steve McQueen and Paul Newman, adding to the car's mystique.) 

Would-be-collectors should note, however, that not all Porsche models increase in value or carry the coveted collectible status held by the 356s in general and the Speedster in particular.  In general, models built to be race cars are more desirable and have been in high demand since the 1980s. Clearly though, rarity in a Porsche does not necessarily equate with value.  Speedsters were built in large numbers. They were not, however, the fastest cars ever to wear the Porsche name, nor were they the most expensive as new vehicles. What the Speedster did have was an iconic status for its era that has, over the years, enhanced both its long-term reputation and value.  

Any car enthusiast would be hard-pressed to say that any Porsche model is not a thrilling car to drive and perhaps to own. Discerning buyers, however, have to understand the history of the line and look for those 356s that created the aura of the Porsche name if they want to acquire something that truly deserves to be called "collectible."