RM-Sotheby’s to Auction APAL-Porsche 1600 GT Coupe

By Arison Knapp - December 28, 2015

If you’re an admirer of design studios like Pininfarina and Italdesign, the sleek-profile of this APAL-Porsche 1600 GT Coupe should tickle your fancy. If you’re wondering if it’s an Alpine or Abarth, you’re on target; it’s very similar in shape, but it’s actually an APAL. This rear-engined, rear-drive, red specimen you’re looking at has the chassis and underpinnings of a mid-1960s VW Beetle, power componentry of a Porsche 356, and a smooth aero lightweight fiberglass body from APAL.

In the mid-1960s Belgian fiberglass specialists APAL built about 180 of their 1600 GT Coupes. The majority of the 180 units were based on the VW Beetle foundation, and power was often fabricated from Porsche 356 go-fast parts. Silodrome says this particular 1600 uses the engine, transaxle, brakes, wheels, seats, instrumentation and interior trim from the Porsche 356. This is one of the rare 30 examples ever produced as such, and it’s in amazing condition. What a beautiful piece of art or weekend driver for someone, as it will soon hit the auction block at RM-Sotheby’s.

Most likely the 60 BHP from the 1.6L flat four-cylinder boxer engine won’t knock your socks off shifting up through the 4-speed manual. Nowadays that’s economy car range. But with a 1400-pound curb weight, most anyone is going to feel the power to weight ratio, which is certainly right in sportscar territory. Indeed, it was a great success on the racing circuits in its era. APAL did a full comprehensive job with this 1600 GT. It wasn’t just a show car model, it drove good and hard. It even beat Porsche in a pro rally, way back when.

APAL moved the front passenger occupants forward to better counter-balance the rear-engine. This was an improvement over Porsche and VW for the time. Its foot-longer body also helps stability, and even though the 1600 GT wasn’t wind tunnel tested, it had better high-speed aero performance than its direct competition.

There’s no reserve on this one, but what do you think a good price would be?