KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY

Keeping it in the Family

The story of a Porsche 356 that crossed continents and united generations.

“My father bought this car in Southern California in the mid-80s, since then it’s become part of our family’s story.”

Robert Gordon Thomas’ slate grey Porsche 356 C is among the last ever made, representing a point of transition for Porsche between niche hand-made carmaker and mainstream mass-manufacturer. Compared with earlier cars it was built with considerably more refined production methods and you can almost see nascent traces of 911 DNA showing through in the details. Robert’s car even rolled off the line alongside some of the first 911s before taking a boat to the US, where it would eventually cross paths with his father.

“He used to travel to Los Angeles frequently,” Robert explains. “He kept a tight circle of like minded ‘car guys’ and often sourced special vehicles over there to bring back to Europe. One day he discovered a few 356 Coupes on offer from a specialist, three of which he bought to take home. He eventually passed this one on to a friend, but around 1999 I finally had the opportunity to bring it back into the family - a chance I couldn’t miss.

It’s a nimble little car that proves the saying ‘speed is a number, fast is a feeling’. It’s taken us on countless memorable road trips, through the Alps and the Italian lakes in the 90s and again after I retook ownership. Since then I’ve worked to give it the sort of performance and presence it deserves. I took it to Bienert Motorsport for a fresh 2 litre engine with larger carburettors, revised suspension and the removal of its original bumper guards for a cleaner, sportier look. The perfect finishing touch was the centre exit Sebring exhaust - just like the original competition cars of the time.

"It’s a nimble little car that proves the saying ‘speed is a number, fast is a feeling’."

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Keeping it in the Family image text 2 image

"I took it to Bienert Motorsport for a fresh 2 litre engine with larger carburettors, revised suspension and the removal of its original bumper guards for a cleaner, sportier look. The perfect finishing touch was the centre exit Sebring exhaust - just like the original competition cars of the time."

No matter what else is in the garage, the 356 remains the heart of our family’s Porsche story - a car that has crossed continents, united generations and embodied the pure spirit of driving.”