Is this Mickie Most’s first Porsche 356?

[drew01356]

I was looking at the old log book for my 1959 RHD Porsche 356A and noted that the first owner was a Micheal Peter Hayes of Middlesex who imported the car from South Africa.

Of course I didn’t recognise the name but I thought a quick google might throw up something interesting, and it did….
Micheal Peter Hayes is non other than Mickie Most a pretty famous music producer from the swinging sixties (if you’re too young to remember him just google him for yourself).

Anyway I started doing a bit more digging and here is what I found…

Mickie moved to Johannesburg with his South African Wife in 1959
My car was sold by Lindsay Motors in Johannesburg in 1959
Mickie returned to England in1962
My car was imported through Southampton Docks in 1962
Mickie released a record in 1965 with him pictured in a red Porsche 356A
My car is a red Porsche 356A which Mickie sold back to AFN in 1965
Here is the record sleeve

OK I hear what you’re all thinking. “But that’s a Left Hand Drive car”…
All will be revealed in the next post...
KTF
Drew

[drew01356]

Well is it a LHD car or has the image been doctored?
The record was only released in France and they drive on the other side so maybe it was flipped for that market?
Here is picture of Mickie from the same era.

If you look carefully you can see that his hair parting is on the other side on the record sleeve…..interesting.
And the final bit of proof for the flipping is that the hinge cover has no data plates…because they are on the other side.
So here is the image the ‘right’ way round and yes it looks very similar to my car.

Unfortunately Mickey passed away in 2003 so we may never know for certain if that’s my car on the record sleeve but I would very much appreciate any help in verifying my theory.

Here is the car today. Let me know if you’re interested in being her next famous or not so famous owner, she’s for sale soon.
Regards
Drew

[one-two]

Nice car, nice story. Is the number plate 68 BTR? I can make some enquiries and/or Mike Smith - who is the real guru on all of this - will be along in a min! Best, Robert

[drew01356]

Hi Robert
Yes it Is 68 BTR
I have put in a call to Paul at PRS but he is on holiday so I assume Mike is also.
Would be interested in your opinion.
Regards
Drew

[Ian Gunney]

Drew - just found a note of a conversation I had with the late Mike Karavasili back in 2002 when he told me of a '59 A normal UK coupe that was black (but originally silver) that had been owned by Mickey Most.

[drew01356]

Thanks Ian
Seems like he was very much into his Porsche's.
Do you know when he might have owned that car?
Regards
Drew

[Ian Gunney]

Sorry Drew - didn't note anything else except it was a 2 owner car at the time.

[Nine One One]

https://www.classicandsportscar.com/fea ... egal-racer

[drew01356]

Thanks for that link Nine One One, very interesting.
So it looks like Ian's info was correct, Mickey owned a Black 59 356A in the 80's

I wonder if it's still around?
It has an interesting feature in the form of a B or C hood handle and the parking of the windscreen wipers suggests it's RHD.
It's a shame we can't see the number plate.
So it looks like my car is not that unique but hey it's fascinating to wonder what stars might have sat in the passenger seat as Mickie drove around Soho in the swinging sixties.
Keep the info coming.
Regards
Drew

[sladey]

Just read his bio - interesting - he died at 64 connected with asbestosis and it was thought that was connected to asbestos used in recording studio sound deadening.

[Rustytubs]

Hi Drew

When I worked with Bill from Dakota Classics we had Mickeys 935 Kramer rep 911 in and did a full engine strip rebuild on it.
At that time (circa 1999) I rebuilt my SC engine alongside as we did his.

You can just see the 935 side skirt in the pictures attached.

As Mickeys car has a new clutch I did take the liberty of re using the old pressure plate on my engine (for some reason it was a very light unit?) and it’s still in my car today.

A couple of pictures attached.

Sorry I can’t help with the details of your A being owned by him but looks like you have that worked out already.

Martin

[Guy]

http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/downlo ... ew&id=5629

This is the Kremer car at Classics at the Castle in 2017, it started out life as a 1974 Carrera 2.7 MFI but with with 3.0RS bodywork.

For the eagle eyed the registration was changed at some point.

[Nine One One]

For the eagle eyed the registration was changed at some point.

The Classic and Sports Car magazine article does say why this happened........

"The car’s original registration number, RAK 8, stayed with the family, but ‘7 RAK’ has since been acquired by current owner Alastair."


Looks like the CC&SC article was a re run of a previous article in 2017
https://www.magzter.com/stories/Automot ... f-the-Pops

[one-two]

I sold the Kremer-bodied 911 a few years back. Will see what contacts say about the red 356

[Mike Smith]

The last time that I saw 68 BTR it was in a lock-up in Southend – (Rusty Black cars were not my thing)

The car is RHD T2 originally sold in South Africa on 09/04/59 (The first Owner is recorded as C.G. Cavalieri)

It was Originally Ruby Red / Beige
Obviously Mickey imported it to the UK & its is probably Mickey who arranged to change the colour

He eventually sold the T2 to AFN who paid him £600-00, in October 64
It later passed to Mr/Mrs (?) Tyson in February 65 for £790-00

It would appear that Mickey like Black cars because he had already bought, NEW from AFN, another Black 356 SC on 22/04/64
I.e. 6 months before he had sold the T2

This SC was Registered - JMV 732B with Dog (Hounds) Tooth Upholstery
I have NO information as to whether this car still exists

Both Cars ended up in Wales at some point in their lives