Porsche 356 Pre-A

The 356 Pre-A is the car that started it all for Porsche, built from 1948 to 1955. Production began with about 50 aluminum-bodied cars in Gmünd, Austria, before moving to Zuffenhausen, Germany, where bodies were switched to steel. These early cars are defined by their two-piece 'bent' windshields, which were later replaced by a single-piece V-shaped 'knick-scheibe' windshield for the 1952 model year.

Collectors prize the Pre-A for its direct connection to Porsche's origins and its pure, unfiltered driving experience. It's the most elemental version of the 356, lacking the refinements of later A, B, and C models. The rarity of specific variants, especially the early Gmünd coupes and the American-market Speedster, makes them exceptionally sought after. Their hand-built character and historical significance are key drivers of their value.

The market for Pre-A models is strong but highly dependent on condition, originality, and provenance. With an average sale price around $175,000, top-tier, numbers-matching cars can easily exceed $300,000. Conversely, the wide sales range shows that project cars or examples with non-original components can be acquired for significantly less, making them a target for restoration specialists.

Prices for the Porsche 356 Pre-A range from just over $18,000 for projects to $365,000 for exceptional examples.