Just reading about this 1958 Porsche Zagato in current issue of Octane magazine. It is unbelievably cool. I feel a new project coming along- solves what to do with my 57 Normal awaiting restoration . Anyone need a 356 front, rear and roof clip ? Image Unavailable, Please Login
Another image. This car was commissioned as a one off by little known racer Claude Storez. Based on a Porsche 356 Speedster this little Barchetta was built by Zagato Milan and according to Octane returned to Porsche for completion . It's aerodynamic shape and lightweight aluminium body proved effective when it came 2nd to a Ferrari 250 TdF at a 1958 GT race in Reims. Sadly it was totalled in Feb 59 and driver Claude succumbed to his injuries when it flipped and crashed into a post while leading the Routes du Nord race. The original car is considered lost but this one featured in Octane is a recreation bodied by Zagato for a businessman and racer Herb Wetanson. Herb is reportedly smitten with his new toy - as am I . Image Unavailable, Please Login
The Porsche DNA is unmistakable . The original car was powered by a Carrera 4 cam but this recreation has a 1600cc 356 2 Cam. Plenty of get up and go for a package weighing less than 700 kgs Image Unavailable, Please Login
Great article. I've read it and i found it very nice. It is said that the original is in a private collection somewhere in Japan. Just rumors of course.
Storez was actually pretty well known in Europe for his '57 Liege-Rome-Liege rally victory in a Speedster (possibly a Carrera Speedster). But please don't chop up a real Porsche to make one of these... if the original is lost, let's not lose another original to simulate it (and with the wrong engine...) I'd restore the '57 Normal and get it on the road. 356s are awesome in their own right. But you already knew that.
Today, if the original car surfaced it would be worth a small bundle I do not care for any recreations. Leave the originals alone. Happy New Year !!!!!!
My mom was going to throw this picture out of an old boy friend and his car, I saved it for the car. Looks similar? Image Unavailable, Please Login
Don't worry Bullfighter I'd never chop an original 356 to make a recreation- I was just being facetious. Actually I could fabricate this entire car in steel without using anything original such are the skills of the guys at my panel shop. The cost of course would be astronomical and there would be a weight penalty in steel- but it's doable .
I agree it is ugly. On a historical note it is interesting what low budget kids can do with a wrecked Porsche and fiberglass. In relation to this discussion they might have got their inspiration from the car in this thread.
