Talk about getting hit with the ugly stick! You can find everything from soup to nuts here on Barn Finds, from one extreme to another actually. But finding this much of a mess on a storied marque like a Porsche 356 is a shock to the eyeballs. Nevertheless, located in Astoria, New York, and available for $29,950 here on Gullwing Motor Cars is this 1963 Porsche 356 B.
The 356 was Porsche’s go-to car from 1948 until 1965. Manufactured in several different models, it was ultimately phased out by the new 911’s 1964 introduction. Total 356 production was about 76K cars with the “B” model, like this example, making up about 31K copies or 41% of the total. A well-known classic and collectible auto dealership is offering this Porsche for sale. His ads have graced many popular enthusiast publications, and I have even seen his ads in my hometown newspaper. There are no written details in the seller’s website listing, just the images, so if you want the lowdown, you’ll need to make an inquiry.
I would put this Porsche in the, “What in the Sam Hill happened?” category. It honestly looks like a cave find. It is covered in rust, dents, Bondo, lichen/mold and some sort of unidentifiable dreck on the rear valance. The rear half of the car, however, is not as trashed as the front half. There are plenty of missing exterior trim pieces and components such as the front bumper and light fixtures but one thing that is visible is the “90” part of the “Super 90” badge just beneath the engine hatch. Supposedly, there were only about 2,200 Super 90s produced in ’63 so that puts what’s left of this Porsche in rarified air territory. I would normally ponder the structural and underside condition of a car that’s in this deleterious a shape, but let’s hold off until we take a peek inside.
Under the engine hatch is a 1.6 liter, air-cooled, flat four-cylinder engine good for 90 HP, a substantial amount of power for an engine of such a diminutive size. It would be logical to assume that this one has not run in many moons. Standard gear changing is accomplished via a four-speed manual transaxle. Again, there are no details with the listing so it’s hard to say specifically what the story is. It would seem that an engine with this kind of power in a flat handler like a Porsche 356, a car that barely weighs 2,000 lbs., would make for a very spirited driver. It would be interesting to know when the last time was that this 356 could make that claim.
The interior is full-on Fred Flintstone, no floor, it’s just destroyed. Most of the gauges, along with the steering wheel are still in place but not much else. It would seem both seats are present too though I’m not sure what’s holding them in place. It is hard to say where one would start on a project that is this far gone.
From what I could find, prices for 356 Bs seem to range from $65K to $129K, based on condition. The Super 90 provenance probably adds to the market value but I don’t know that for sure and would ask for some comments on that matter from our Porsche familiar readers. All of that considered, $29,950 for this? I say keep dreaming; what says you?
Well known dealership? Known for what… trying to sell junk for ridiculous asking prices? Think maybe there are too many ‘well knowns’ in the car buying and trading world taking the fun out of the whole business.
$30,000. for what??? The vin tag??? I just don’t get it.
For that price, couldn’t you almost get a better running Beck replica? Come on boys, you would have solid metal, a running and driving example, probably good paint too.
I understand as a business you will target for profit. But this is RIDICULOUS. Well, what can you expect from some of so-called classic car dealers. It’s really sad they lack the ‘passion’ for cars and eyeing only on money. I thought Beverly Hills price tags are high but even they priced at 18K for a better looking 356 few months ago.
Gullwing is like BH but worse.
Apparently $29,950 only buys garbage these days.
Hey Jim,
Nice write up. I find your observations and comments to be fair and valid. In addition to several interesting cars that I have owned over the years, I’ve also logged well over 40 years working on and driving air-cooled vehicles. Unfortunately, as we have all seen over the decades, this 356 world has really taken on a life of its own. Asking prices seem to be “relative” to whatever one thinks they’re worth. In this case, I believe the “shock factor” is a means to draw in prospective browsers/ buyers to their site…I think one would do well to look for a better example…Continue to innovate not duplicate.
Yeah ! Not even a $500.00 car. A driver with scumtina !
Weird site, everything vanishes, never to return.
Hey, if people want to waste money, it is no ones business but their own. Gonna be a lot of disappointed and much poorer people in the near future. Wise people just buy cars for pleasure, not to try and make a buck. Oh, some will make some, but many will lose, that is how the game works. Like in a casino, only the house ever comes out 100% ahead, what is left is mostly sad and regretful customers. If these were such potential gold mines, these middle men would hog them all and restore them to make big profits. Funny how little that is done.
Everybody’s getting bent out of shape over the asking price. They could ask for $100,000 but that doesn’t mean they are going to get it.
Oh, wow. *shudder*
I was going to lay in a basic comment about the hobby, and what passes for viable projects, until I read the “GMC” location. Nope. Really, Other have said it, and I’d only be repeating if I mentioned seeing another ad for the outfit. Two fright pigs from the same seller in a week amounts to too much in the way of free advertising. OUT
It takes a lot of chutzpah to ask $30K for this pile of garbage. Holy cow!
Had it been a Dodge Charger…
Lovely Patina!
Good to see BR readers are starting to ignore these silly posts regarding a certain scrap metal dealer. Let’s see how long this post lasts.
“BF” Must have had “BR 549” on my mind.
Man, great post! Junior Samples! One of my personal heroes.
All it needs is a $29.99 Earl Scheib paint job, and its good to go.
Check out the Aston Martin they have on their website for $250,000!!!!! Takes a lot of cajones to ask what they are for pieces of junk.
I once had an MG with 3 inches of bondo on the hood to finish off the leading edge. Looks like bondo on the trunk of this porker led to three inches of missing metal to hold it in place.
If anyone can sell this POS, Peter can!
I’m thinking somebody snagged this with a crankbait, reeled it in and put a for sale sign on it.
Hey, dont forget that the seller buys mostly klunkers,& rust rats from people who just want to clear their garages, and usually for low $$. Dont blame him, he’s in it for a living, and suckers are born every day. I’d probably do it myself if I could live with a guilty conscience, and sleep well every night from screwing both the seller and then the buyer.
This is a parts car for the engine/trans axle and misc small stuff. I used to service these in the late 1960’s for the military owners in Germany