1953 Porsche 356 Reutter Cabriolet

Rare and desirable early bent-window 1953 356 Cabriolet 1500
All original, respayed in original colour in 2012
Engine overhaul in 2018
54.000 documented km, with original service booklet and instruction book etc.
Matching-numbers engine and gearbox
One of just 393 Reutter cabriolets built for 1953
Original and 2 owners since 1953
Previously owned by Sonja Henie

The car was ordered directly from Germany by Norwegian Kjell Holm, and was delivered
to his hometown Aalesund September 1953. It was first registered on Norwegian plates
22-09-1953.

Holm was the heir to the Oluf Holm fish oil company, one of Norway’s largest companies
at the time. During the late 40’s and 50’s he traveled extensively abroad. And among his
destinations was the United States, where he met Sonja Henie. From 1936 to 1958, Henie
appeared in leading roles in a row of highly popular Hollywood films such as Thin Ice and
Sun Valley Serenade. She was Hollywoods best paid actress, and an international superstar.
However, the war was to get in the way of Henie's popularity in Norway. During the
Winter Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, she did the Hitler salute and was received by
the Reichsführer in a private audience - and these recordings was to haunt her for the rest
of her life. The damage was further compounded by her refusal to support the Little
Norway training camp during World War II, citing her American citizenship. She later gave
support when the United States entered the war, but in Norway it was difficult to forgive
the negative attitude she initially showed.

Kjell Holm and Sonja Henie reportedly became engaged - despite the fact that Henie was
married to the American Winthrop Gardiner Jr. Holm gave the 1953 Porsche 356 cabriolet
to Henie, and several photos bear witness of the proud new owner.
When the relationship ended, Henie politely returned to Holm. For many years the car was
stored in the garage of Holms country house at Skodje outside Aalesund. In 1975 the
current owners grandfather bought both the country house and the car from Holm, and
the car was once again given as a gift, this time to the current owners grandmother.

Quote from current owner:

- I remember well it was in the garage at Skodje, because my room happened to be in the
driver's quarters, which was in the same building. Grandma didn't have a license, so it was
my father and my uncle who drove it. - I myself took the first drive in the car as a 16-year-
old, and this was actually my learner car when I was learning to drive a car myself, he says.

After receiving his driving license , he started driving the 356 more.
In 1991, the car was bought by the current owners father, and it was time again for a gift
presentation – in 2011, the current owner received the car as a 40th birthday gift. - So this
car has belonged to two families and has been given as a gift several times.
Today, the car appears in near original condition. The interior is original and in good
condition , and the car has a respray in its original color. The roof fabric has been changed,
also the brake cylinders and clutch. The original engine has been restored by Norwegian
356 specialist Ole Walsig.

POA