Chassis No. 53779 Engine No. 35185 Transmission No. 6283 Ask any U.S.-based car collector what brand they associate with the nameplate âContinentalâ and Lincoln would be the near-unanimous pick. When Max Hoffman convinced Porsche to use the name for their top-of-the-line 356 for 1955, Ford saw it that way as well! With a stroke of the pen from their legal department, those at Ford ensured that it would remain offered for that single model year. As the top-of-the-line Porsche, the Continental was already rare, and its one-year-only status only adds to the mystique of the model. Built on 30 June 1955, the Kardex warranty card for this particular Continental Coupe, chassis number 53799, shows that like all other U.S.-delivered Porsches of the era, it was imported through Max Hoffman. Its original service book shows that it was delivered on 28 October 1955 to A.J. Pierson Sales and Service of Orlando, Florida, which is also evidenced by a partial decal that remains on the fuel tank. Both its engine (53779) and transmission (6283) are the original matching-numbers units that have remained with the car after nearly 70 years. Furthermore, the car remains as specified in its original shade of 5404 Elfenbein (Ivory). The original interior specification of Light Red over Beige corduroy also appears on the Kardex, and while today the Continental features tan upholstery with brown carpeting, it does offer the next caretaker a chance to revive the tantalizing color combination. A history file containing historical registrations paints a picture of a car that has remained in Florida from new. By at least 1973 the car was in the ownership of Frank Percy (F.P) Loth Jr. of Tavares, Florida. In July 1974 John W. Hoover Jr. of Coral Gables acquired the car. A Florida Vehicle Registration Certificate from November 1976 shows the car had 57,912 miles at the time. The car remained under the care of Hoover and his family until it was acquired by the consignor in May 2020 as a preserved âsurvivorâ exhibiting a high degree of originality. Shortly after acquisition, the Continental Coupe was brought to All Euro Car Care in Jacksonville, Florida where it received an $8,000 âreawakeningâ service. In 2023, chassis 53779 became Porsche Jacksonvilleâs (formerly Brumos Porsche) Preservation Class entry into the Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge. Work completed by the specialists at Porsche Jacksonville to prepare the car for competition included a cosmetic restoration of the engine and engine bay along with an inspection, engine fluid changes, and thorough engine tune. Not only does this Continental feature its original drivetrain as confirmed upon inspection by a Broad Arrow Auctions Car Specialist, but also its original front hood, rear engine lid, and hinge trim plates with original serial number stamps. Furthermore, it is offered with a digital copy of its factory Kardex, a rare paper original ownerâs manual folder with manual, Reutter book, U.S. dealer directory, and service book, a âknuckleâ type jack, a body-color Lemmerz 16-inch spare, and a toolkit.
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- VIN Code53779
