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Porsche 356 «Gmünd»

A very early example

We have already covered the history of the first Porsche in great detail, here (sorry, just in German). Our story differs in some respects from the official historiography from Stuttgart – it’s definitely worth a read. Now our friends at DK Engineering, based near London and famous above all for their Ferraris, have one of these first Porsche 356s on offer, a “Gmünd”, as they are known among enthusiasts. And because both history and pictures are good, we don’t want to deprive you of either.

Chassis: 356/2-0032
Scania’s relations with Volkswagen are longstanding. Now a part of the Volkswagen group, Scania started the relationship as the main importer of VW motorcars into Sweden in 1948. Regarded as innovators and leaders of low cost, economical trucks, there was an obvious synergy between the brands. Most of the early Gmünd’s built were supplied new to Austria or Switzerland, but having remained a neutral state throughout the second world war, there were several entrepreneurs with sizeable disposable income. As a result, Scania Vabis agreed to import 15 Gmünd’s into Sweden.

This example was completed on the 12th June 1950, with final assembly carried out by Tatra in Salzburg as were each of the 15 Scania cars. The Kardex report notes that this example was approved in Gothenburg after arrival on 9th November 1950 and registered in the name of its first keeper Automobilfirma Per Nyqvist AB 9 days later.

  1. Automobilfirma Per Nyqvist AB, Göteborg. 18 november 1950. (O26803).
  2. Harald Wållgren AB, Göteborg. 23 May 1951. (O26803).
  3. Gert Kaiser, Stockholm. 4 June 1952. (A58111).

Its early ownership is well documented, thanks to the family of the third owner. On 4th June 1952, this example was acquired by Gert Kaiser. Kaiser’s time in the Gmünd would spark a lifelong passion and love of the Porsche marque with the next few years seeing him race 356 1500s, Carreras and a 550 Spyder in Sweden. Alongside co-driver Henry Ericsson, Gert would enter the Gmünd into the 1952 Midnattssolsrallyt, just two weeks after collecting the car. The Rally to the Midnight Sun, as its translation suggests, would see the field race to the artic circle, chasing the midnight sun. The rally took place on a mixture of surfaces over 355 miles Several photographs of the car during the rally have been located and the Gmünd placed 7th in Class IV for cars up to 1.1 litres.

  1. Karl-Henrik Östman, Stockholm 3 July 1952. (A58111).
  2. Motorcentralen A Ström, Skänninge. 1 November 1952. (E16742).
  3. Erik Blom, Kiruna. 12 October 1953. (BD16174).
  4. Daniel Häggström, Bondersbyn. 12 July 1954. (BD16174).
  5. Johan Hällström, Stockholm. 13 November 1954. (AC21140).
  6. Sture Johansson, Nyåker. 30 April 1963. (AC21140).
  7. Deregistered from Sweden in 1974 and sold to Norway

An undated advert by renowned 356 specialist Gary Kempton of Florida places the car for sale in the USA and a photo soon after places the car in the collection of 356 fan Perry Urena in California.

  1. Gary Kempton
  2. Perry Urena
  3. Jim ‘Gmündmeister’ Barrington
  4. Cal Turner III

Next it notably found residence with none other than Jim ‘Gmündmeister’ Barrington. Barrington was a huge fan of the little coupes. By 1994, this example had been joined by no fewer than four other Gmünd coupes within Barrington’s collection. The car had received a fresh coat of paint in the mid-1980s but retained its original interior. Documented in an article by Excellence in October of that year, this Gmünd is noted as being a standout example and an ‘invaluable index for restoring its stablemates’. A keen racer, Barrington and his son both raced a Gmünd extensively, but this example was preserved on account of retaining its original interior to date. Barrington is understood to have sold the car through G&W Motorwerkes of Staunton, VA in 2004 to Cal Turner III. Turner had by this time accumulated some of the most significant Porsche’s ever built, including 911 R Prototype #4, a 718 RSK along with various competition 356s. Housing the car at his residence in Nashville, the Gmünd would be seen on several occasions, with Turner hosting the annual Tennessee Tubs 356 meeting at his home. Each occasion would bring close to 100 avid Porsche fanatics visit his home and there are numerous photos documenting the car alongside its significant Porsche stablemates.

  1. UK custodian
  2. DK Engineering

In 2007, the Gmünd was purchased by its most recent custodian and client of DK Engineering. The car was imported into the UK and road registered. Since then, the car has been dry stored as part of a world class collection of early Porsches and VWs. In 2023, DK Engineering purchased this Gmünd coupe and carried out a full service to ensure the new custodian can enjoy the car as intended. Having been out of the public eye since 2007, this wonderful example, complete with period competition history and still retaining its original interior is available to view at our showrooms outside London immediately. This example is valued at $3.5m.

We have more beautiful classics in our archive.

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