The development of one of Porsche’s most sporting 356 body styles – the Roadster, itself an evolution of the venerable Speedster – took a fortuitous turn in early 1961.

Production demands had long influenced where Porsche’s open 356 models were built and, consequently, the character of their construction.

Just as capacity constraints at Reutter had prompted Porsche to shift Speedster production to Drauz in Heilbronn, Germany, resulting in the aptly named Convertible D of 1958, a substantial contract for Ford truck bodies at Drauz around 1960 once again forced Porsche to seek an alternative coachbuilder for Roadster production.


The solution was found in D’Ieteren Frères, the respected Belgian coachbuilder and long-standing Porsche importer that had held exclusive distribution rights for the marque in Belgium since 1950.

Engaged in automobile coachbuilding beginning in the 1930s, D’Ieteren proved to be an ideal, albeit short-lived, partner for roadster assembly.

The Belgian company...