This bespoke 356, built to order for ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, blends the classic Speedster silhouette with a wider glass-fiber body and modern upgrades.A Rock ‘n’ Roll Commission
The story of this Porsche begins in 1987, when the Texas-based hot rod shop D&D Specialty Cars received a commission to build two custom 356 Speedsters. The clients were ZZ Top members Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard. While Beard ultimately did not take delivery, Gibbons ended up with both unique vehicles. These were not mere restorations but ground-up custom creations.
Specifications and Custom Build Details
This car is a tribute built on modern underpinnings rather than a restored original:
- Body: A handcrafted, noticeably wider glass-fiber shell that retains the classic 356 Speedster profile.
- Engine: A 1.8-liter flat-four engine fitted with dual Weber carburetors.
- Drivetrain: Mated to a 4-speed manual transmission.
- Modern Upgrades: The build includes updated brakes, custom wheels, and a JVC audio system.
- Recent Work: The engine was serviced in 2019, and the car shows only 13,000 kilometers (approx. 8,000 miles) on the odometer. It is legally registered as a 1955 Porsche 356.
The cabin of this custom Speedster, fully trimmed in black upholstery, embraces a minimalist and functional aesthetic true to the original 356 spirit. It features low-back bucket seats, a matching dash pad, door panels, and carpeting. A leather-wrapped MOMO Prototipo steering wheel frames the classic set of gauges, which includes a central tachometer and a 150-mph speedometer. Modern conveniences for its era blend seamlessly into the vintage theme, including air conditioning, a JVC AM/FM cassette stereo with an equalizer, and a roll bar.
The black-on-black cabin mixes classic sports car simplicity with 1980s custom features like a MOMO steering wheel and a JVC cassette stereo.The Porsche 356 Speedster Legacy
Introduced in 1954, the 356 Speedster was Porsche’s pure, lightweight sports car. Characterized by its low, cut-down windshield, minimalistic folding top, stripped-out interior, and reduced soundproofing, it was designed for driving pleasure over comfort. The original cars were powered by a 1.5-liter flat-four engine producing between 55 and 70 horsepower. This custom build pays homage to that iconic, driver-focused formula while reimagining it for the modern era.
Under the decklid resides a 1.8L flat-four engine with dual Weber carburetors, a potent update to the original powerplant.Custom 356 vs. Original 356 Speedster
| Aspect | Original 356 Speedster (1954) | Billy Gibbons’ Custom (1987) |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Steel | Custom Wider Glass-Fiber |
| Engine | 1.5L Flat-Four (55-70 HP) | 1.8L Flat-Four w/ Webers |
| Construction | Factory Production | Ground-Up Custom Build |
Current Auction Status and Market Context
As of the latest reports, bidding on this unique Porsche had reached only $20,000 with nine hours remaining—a figure that seems remarkably modest for a car with such provenance. This stands in stark contrast to other recent 356 sales, such as a heavily modified 1957 356A equipped with a custom 2.5-liter Porsche 911-based engine from Polo Motors, which found a new home at the end of the summer. The market for custom, non-original cars is highly specialized, often valuing originality above all else, which may explain the cautious bidding. However, the unparalleled rock ‘n’ roll pedigree of this example makes its final selling price a highly anticipated event.
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💬 Auction Insider’s Note
“A rock ‘n’ roll relic that redefines what a Porsche can be!”
This isn’t your typical 356 auction. When a car commissioned by Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top hits the block, you’re bidding on music history as much as automotive history. That the bidding started modestly is almost irrelevant—this car’s value is in its story.
What makes this custom 356 fascinating:
• Built the same year ZZ Top released “Afterburner” (their peak commercial success)
• Represents 1980s custom car culture at its most extravagant
• The perfect fusion of German engineering and Texas hot-rod mentality
• Owned by one of rock’s most famous car collectors
Purists might scoff at the fiberglass body, but true collectors understand: sometimes provenance and character matter more than factory originality. This Porsche isn’t just a car—it’s a time capsule from when rock stars built their dream machines without compromise.
#ZZTop #Porsche356 #RockAndRollCars