European barn find cars are becoming incredibly common as the hobby becomes increasingly more popular. This barn find 1952 Porsche 356 is a perfect example of that. Currently, at a bid price of $45,210 with the reserve not yet met, if you bid to win, it is located in Islip, New York. A VIN is not listed but the seller states that there is a clean title for the car. You can view more here on eBay.
It is good to see that a car in this condition does still have an engine in it. The seller notes that it is not the original engine, but an engine from a later model 356A. They do not specify if it runs or not, but it is highly unlikely. A transmission is not listed or noted if being there, but it is a manual based on the interior photos. There is a KMPH Speedometer keeping track of how fast the car will go, eventually.
The interior is not in the best shape. Some of the items that are still original are the sun visors, original dash, and probably the coolest part, a Telefunken radio. It almost looks like a television in the center console, which is strange to see in such an old car. If only they knew back then we would be putting 12-inch screens in our center consoles now. The rust on the floors is extreme and the seller states the frame is not well.
The photos all have a watermark on them, which is a little disconcerting. If you are in the market for a car like this, in this condition, one would hope that you are ready to do your due diligence and make take all the necessary steps to ensure a proper and authentic transaction takes place. While Porsche is a popular name it isn’t worth being out of 50,000 dollars with nothing to show for it, not even a rusty example.
Ran when parked
I love the ebay comment “This car has not been operable in many years”.
Noooooooo, reeeeallllyyyyyy.
“will need structural repairs and a full restoration” …..ya think ? !!!!!
I was thinking a new battery, a good wash and it’s a driver….(kidding). Sorry, just mad that someone (and many people) allow cars to be this neglected !!
Has transmission. Engine mounted and wheels tell you that. The 356A engines are pretty quick. Good power in a light car.
Has trans. mounted engine and wheels tell you that. The 356A engines were pretty quick. Not much weight to pull either.
A comment on the Telefunken radio’s rarity. They are a bit thin on the ground, but far rarer is the tiny nickel plated “Porsche” emblem glued to the radio delete replacement vinyl filler panel.
That rare artifact-a car that will rust (away) faster (well, sooner) than it drives! (away) Can this be considered a form of teleportation? If so, then this Porsche is truly at the cutting edge of transportation technology, and therefore worth every penny.
1952, woof. Is this a half million dollar car restored?
I will never understand this. 42K and the reserve not met? 42 K would buy me a Mustang GT brand spanking new. 100 times the car this is, or am I missing something here? Oh, I know, people will say that restored it will appreciate in value and yada yada yada. But, truly, there is much air where metal once was, how much of the original car is really even left? In all fairness, it is more like a metal replica then an original car. Oh yes, that rusty metal in the frame is from the original car and that makes it worth sooooooo much more! Hey, I think they were cute little cars, made a nice noise too, but value? Nahhh, just buy a modern replica or another car if you are a true enthusiast.
Sidney.You are missing something here! You don’t get it.You are on the wrong site. Why continue to compare new cars and how much they cost and how great they are. Your comments are baseless and boring on BarnFinds.
Sidney did post….
“42 K would buy me a Mustang GT brand spanking new. 100 times the car this is, or am I missing something here?”
Sidney dear lad….what you are missing is the element of exclusivity that being the owner of a 67 year old, non-running, rust-riddled, Porsche bestowes upon you!!! Just think, many thousands of folks out there can, and will, spend 42 grand or more for a new Mustang GT (or perhaps a somewhat used GT350??) How many do you think would actually plunk that kind of money on this 356? That’s exclusivity my friend…… :-) :-)
I just have to say it. I am shaking my head left to right thinking….”how does a car get to this condition? Especially something like this. Porsche cars were NEVER cheap, generally speaking. I guess cars like this are owned by people with too much money, they don’t care and/or gets hoarded by someone with too much money and everything goes to crap. Ok, I’m done.
Another clapped out over-priced VW.
They are nothing but hyped up Volkswagens.
Well, the collector market would seem to disagree with you.
Well at least it’s not “one step above rust powder” like some of the other VW’s……I mean Porsches I’ve seen on Barn Finds.
Should be left as is, as a testament to laziness and abuse!
I like the comment “ air where there once was metal”. I gotta remember that.
If you think there is “Air” now just imagine how it will look after it is sandblasted or acid dipped. It will look like a doilie.
Wow , I thought Corvettes got outta hand . I’ll never get it .
Wow….I can’t believe nobody’s made a comment from the photos having a watermark on them….
”I can’t believe with this much rust the car doesn’t have a water mark”
The good news is that with this much metal gone it could be sold as a special light weight model!
I had the same coupe in high school.(1967) I traded my cherry 46 Chevy Woody straight across for it…loved that little car.
Except mine was aluminum body, 28 hp was original engine. They ran a 5.00/16 tire.
Then traded the Porsche for 56 Chev 327 4 speed 2 door wagon.
Miss those days
Wow, cool car. These early cars in any condition are hard to come by. Not for the faint of heart or wallet.
@Twistednipple. Are you new to Barn Finds? Stay on here long enough and you will see all manner of clapped-out 356, 911, 914 show up…and these are just the swiss-cheese ones that someone qualifies as “Barn Finds.” Hard to come by? Maybe at average-joe prices! My eyes go a little hazy when I see ANOTHER rusty bathtub bringing 5 figures that can’t drive onto the trailer to go to its new home. By the way, I think Sidney might have been speaking about a RESTORED to practically brand new 66-68 Mustang GT being the better deal. But then again, I don’t look at vintage Rustangs either.