The Porsche 356 isn’t coming down in price; the baseline is set. While there has definitely more stability in this marketplace after the surge in values a few years ago, it seems that a decent project car (one with both bodywork and mechanical needs) is reliably a $20,000 car. You’re going to have to address rust and likely a non-running engine at that price point, but it’s not impossible to restore without losing your shirt. This 1965 Porsche 356C listed here on eBay is an unrestored car with a claimed numbers-matching engine and an asking price of just under $40,000.
The 356 is described by many Porsche enthusiasts as one of the purest expressions of the brand’s ethos, but it also speaks to wanting to experience the early days of the quintessential sports car. That’s a different vibe entirely than what you’d get with a 70s-era 911, which can be updated to make it a sufficiently modern driving experience, or even completely re-imagined via a backdating project. The 356 is from a different era and as such, doesn’t offer the same ability to go back in time while still having hands-free calling; it’s meant to be a completely hands-on experience. This, in part, explains why values for the iconic Speedster have remained so high – it’s the maximum analog experience.
People pay for experiences of all kinds, and whether they’re worth the price of admission is a wholly subjective question. Some might look at 356 ownership and wonder why you’d spend $40K on a project car so closely aligned with the Beetle, but that opinion also likely comes from someone who wouldn’t buy a vintage Porsche in the first place. The 356 established many standards in European motoring, especially as it related to factory upgrades for higher-performance engines, with much of the inspiration coming directly from the company’s racing exploits. In my opinion, no company drew a straighter line between its production models and what it was learning on the track.
The 356 shown here is every bit of a project with rust issues and a non-running (but claimed original) engine. The seller doesn’t confirm whether the current color scheme is factory correct, but black over red is one of the better combos out there. The interior is in surprisingly good shape for a car that has clearly been sitting, but the odds seem good that there’s rust in the floors and other places that will require complete panel replacement. When new, this engine spit out 75 horsepower and 90 lb.-ft. of torque, a small but meaningful performance figure that even today delivers an experience far greater than those humble numbers would seemingly suggest.
If this wasn’t a Porsche, I’d suggest layering this between the marshmallow and graham crackers as this Smore is toast. But there’s a certain (unknown) value in such units.
$40,000 for 75hp and a pile of rust. Awesome
Exactly
There were aftermarket parts by OKRASA that could increase that hp figure. Years ago I corresponded with a fellow who made a handsome living buying up salted roads Porsches and reselling them at “reasonable” prices to unsuspecting Californians. All of them were easily fixable, just cut out the rusted pans and weld in new ones, but that rust tended to insinuate itself up into the doors. This car needs a thorough inspection, especially at that price. Pass.
Peter has been listing and relisting this particular unit for at least a couple years. I think the first BIN price I recall on it was 80k.
It must be pretty rough – he’s good at selling cars, it would have been gone if it were close to the right price.
Rust! The bane of these cars…………and a LOT of moolah to repair. And then you have a restored rust bucket. I’d put more money into a well sorted example and leave this to the brave hearted.
I looked at the Ebay auction, and right below the auction there is a few examples of the same year and model fully restored for $51K
Run away from this Rust-O-Rama!
from what I can read of this car, it is more likely a 66, last year of that body.
There is a whole lot that says it is not a 56.
The pricing is way too steep for what it is.
If the rockers are gone, the pan under the bonnet is also gone.
I have replaced many.
Take a zero off the price and it might be worth someones while.
You are going to sink 40k just to make it: stop, go, and legal.
Hard pass on this one.
No ’66s. They were 911s and 912s. Owned a ’64 and ’65 356C. Guess It’s still “cars Bob has owned time”.
I notice I got the date numbers inverted.
If I am wrong, I am wrong.
Still love those old things.
A friend still wants to sell me his 63, for less than this guy wants, and it is all complete and shiney.
Wow! $20k for a possibly non running car?!? Suddenly me building a 350rwhp 2.3 liter ford engine for my fox body mustang doesnt seem so extravegant lol. Not that anyone else would agree. Lol!
Dave… A lot of the ’63Bs had super 90 engines. If the car your friend has that engine it’s worth jumping on that one.
I will wait.
He needs to enjoy it while he is still amongst us.
Too many of my friends are sunsetting.
His son will let me know when it is available.
Thanks Bob.
Having the same problem. Honorable you are waiting.