This 1957 Porsche 356 Cabriolet looks to have loads of potential as a project-grade example that comes with the parts needed to put it back together. The seller notes he is listing it on behalf of the son of the longtime owner who passed away with the project incomplete. The 356 has had a color change to red and its engine disassembled, which has been confirmed as the correct engine type, but not numbers matching. That’s now slowing bidding down, which has reached $45,100 here on eBay with no reserve.
The 356 left the factory with a very pretty exterior color of Graphite Metallic, and like so many other used sports cars, it was painted resale red at some point. The good news is the body doesn’t look terrible from afar, though it’s impossible to deduct whether it’s hiding any rust under the panels or in the floors. Underside photos are generally a requirement with any listing for a 356, but they’re not included here. Fortunately, the interior looks to be in great shape, with an uncracked dash and original steering wheel in place.
The soft top will likely need some work, as there’s a rip evident in the back pillar on the driver’s side. Still, it’s not the worst we’ve seen, and you could likely tape up the tear and live with it for the time being. There’s no pictures included of the top up with the rear window in place, so more than likely, you’re going to be replacing the soft top. The photos showing it erect should confirm that the top frame is in good shape, however. The paint work is definitely not to a high level, and I’m sure the next owner will be looking at a repaint in short order.
Photos show an empty engine bay and chunks of paint missing off the body below the engine lid. The engine is in pieces across several containers, as shown in the listing. Right now, with the bumpers removed and just some overriders in the front, the 356 looks downright ratty, and there’s an argument that could be made for living with the rough paint and just ordering a tonneau cover for the interior and freshening up the mechanical bits, as opposed to going the full concours route. Still, with the prices for 356 cabs still pretty high, this example could be bought cheaply enough to justify either route.
These are very comfortable road cars. The tops are fully padded and when up make the car much quieter than the coupes. Out on a limb here but I think the paint code is for black. Good solid car. Lots better than most of the previous featured project cars.
Looks sensible in the world of crazy 356 listings
Ahhhh, so nice to see a $500.00 car again.
Back wheel wells been cut out, bondo falling of in chunks of right front fender and rear panel, motor in pieces. Expect massive rust issues. Run don’t walk from this S**T box.
Same deal in 1974, where you been ? $500.00 car.
I bought a 61 Cab back in 1970 or so, less rust but more beat, without engine, for $200.
The crankshaft shown is an SC fully counterweighted part. They were rare at one time.
Best car in the history of automobiles , happy now Dougie.
Just rebuilt a 912 engine that came in pieces like this one. Cost a bunch to do it right with new cylinders and pistons etc. As everyone knows, any P part ( and I’m addicted to P) is expensive. Would love one of these, have enough project cars at the moment and concerned about value of our hobby vehicles post crisis. Stay healthy and let’s see how we come out the other end when the dust settles.
Nice car. Must have been quite a car in its day. Good project for somebody. Not overriders, nerf bars front and rear. These Porsche’s will never get any cheaper.