Through his connections as an automotive supplier, Schmidt had worked closely with Volkswagen and Porsche to test and patent new parts of his design. As such, all ‘Schmidt cars’ built at the time were experimental one-offs fitted with unique features to test their market potential.
In the case of Spin’s Porsche 356 A, Schmidt spared no expense. Along with specifying the car in a unique Porcelain White on Acella Red colorway, he also had it equipped with a Lorenz car telephone system, a Blaupunkt Köln car radio, a rally-spec Junghans clock, an electric wiper fluid pump, door speakers and reverse lights, among many other unique items.
Porsche labor of love
Considering that much of this technology was cutting-edge at the time of its installation, finding functional replacements proved to be a monumental task. Moreover, Spin had purchased the 356 A sight unseen, and it arrived from the United States in much worse condition than he had anticipated.
As such, even though Spin first journeyed to Stuttgart in 2008, the project wouldn’t be completed for a full decade. Working with Porsche Classic to source new body panels (some of which took four years to find) and overhaul the chassis, engine, electronics and upholstery, Spin invested more than 3,000 hours in the 356’s restoration.