It’s a 1954 356 Pre-A 1500S. This means it has drum brakes all round which was of the time and must remain as per the FIA HTP regulations. The four-cylinder boxer engine is now slightly larger at 1582cc and has been highly tuned to develop circa 170bhp.
Given the tight timescales involved in getting to Members’ Meeting, Sam had only driven the car once before qualifying. “The race was actually the first time we had ever run the car in the dry, having only driven it for the first time earlier in the week and having a wet qualifying session. From our qualifying position of 22nd, I rose through the field to 14th by the time I pitted to hand the car over to teammate Tim Sugden. However, two laps into his stint, the car developed a severe vibration from the drivetrain – possibly the gearbox, diff or driveshaft. That put end to our race. It was unfortunate but not unexpected having not had the time to do the necessary due diligence with the car prior to our last minute entry.”
The car is actually owned by Porsche Centre Leeds, part of the Tordoff family’s JCT600 Group, and one of four Classic Porsche Centres in the UK. It’s part of the Tordoff Collection, a new venture that specialises in the sale of sports and classic cars outside of the franchised dealers. There’s Porsche history here, too. Sam’s grandfather famously won the 1973 Circuit of Ireland Rally in a Porsche 911 2.7 RS.
Sam will continue to race the car this season and ultimately hopes to receive an invitation to the Goodwood Revival. Perhaps Goodwood will yet witness this 356 prove what it can really do.
Photography by Tom Shaxson