What do we know about the Type 530?

[Greg Riddel]

I'm intrigued by the earliest of the four seat 356's, the Type 530.
It seems there were 2 cars built, a coupe and a cabriolet.

In the latest Registry magazine, the excellent article on the
Studebaker by Porsche, the Type 542, includes a mention of the 530.
In fact, Max Hoffman and Ferry Porsche are photographed in front
of the coupe, photos of which are shown below.

It dates from 1951/2, but it is the cabriolet which is more intriguing.
The photo in this article shows a car that sports features from slightly later years,
in that it has teardrop taillights,reflectors, separate bumpers, later mirror,
15" wheels with crested hubcaps, together with an unusual door handle
and separate lock.

These modifications could have been carried out over time at the factory,
as a 'mule', or perhaps by a private owner if the car was sold.

But do we know their fate?
Do the cars still exist?
Are they part of the factory museum collection?

I know there was a previous topic about the 530, but it didn't go any
further than that there was a photo in "Excellence was expected".
Unfortunately, I don't have a copy (yet) so I can't refer to that, or see
what might have been written about the 530.

But what do we know?

It seems only the coupe made the trip to South Bend in 1952,
along with a production 356, but was the cabriolet built at the same time,
or later?
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I'd be pleased to know the answers to these questions,
or does this fall into the unanswered 356 mysteries category?
Comments please...

Thanks in anticipation
Greg

[Barry Haines]

several years ago I saw a replica 4 seater speedster made by UK Pilgrim, a case of function over finness IMO, so I was amazed to learn of the 530