In 1961 Belgium’s Edmond Pery founded APAL (Application Polyester Armé de Liège) to build beautiful cars with fluid lines using fiberglass. His APAL GT Coupé, presented at the Brussels Autosalon in 1962, featured a Volkswagen floorplan and was designed to be powered by a Porsche or VW engine. Based on the Porsche 356 but with only two seats, a longer wheelbase, lower center of gravity and much lighter curb weight, the APAL GT was very comfortable with plenty of luggage space, and fitted with the 356’s engine as well it proved to be a racing and rallying beast.

Of the 150 stunning APAL GT coupes built between 1961–1965, only about 30 of them got the 356 engines (usually an older one), as well as its transaxles, brakes, wheels, seats, instrumentation, and interior trim. Dubbed the APAL-Porsche 1600 GT Coupe, these 30 are true rarities in the Porsche world – the 356’s Belgian cousin. Some would even say its better-looking cousin. One of the few remaining cars and one of just a handful known in the U.S., an example from 1962, will be auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s at its Arizona sale on Jan. 28–29 without reserve.