Make Offer Worthy? 1962 Porsche 356B

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When is a deal actually a deal – and when should you try and come together at a lower price? That’s the question in front of you with this 1962 Porsche 356B which is offered for $39,000 and located in Exeter, Rhode Island. That’s surprising as it’s in my neck of the woods and there are hardly ever “barn find” European cars still lurking in the woods up here. The 356B has visible rust but the floors don’t appear to be totally destroyed; regardless, it’s a total restoration project for the next owner, or a very expensive parts car. Find the 356B here on eBay with the option to submit a best offer.

I showed this to a friend who trades in vintage Porsches and he scoffed at the price; I suspect this had more to do with the fact that he’s typically the one finding the cars rather than buying one someone else has already snatched up. Still, it was an interesting reaction from someone who generally loves the brand and wants to see cars like the 356 and 911 continue to rise in value. Is it an indication that the fervent project buying and flipping of air-cooled models like this 356 is finally wearing on the people who are truly passionate about the brand versus someone who just wants to drag them out and post them for sale?

Now, I am not at all judging the seller’s desire to make a few bucks on a barn find Porsche; hardly. But there was a time when air-cooled collecting was at a bit of a fever pitch and it seemed like there was no floor too rusty, and no body too porous that couldn’t be thrown up on eBay for a quick sale. But with the global economy slowing and some consumers getting a bit more conservative with their car purchases, it stands to reason that vehicles requiring five digits worth of restoration work may be less appealing than they once were. The interior of this 356 is in fair condition; it is largely complete but still quite tired.

The seller notes that the mileage of just over 87,000 is believed to be genuine, so it is a low-mileage car. However, there’s no mention of whether the engine is numbers-matching or if it still turns over. The bodywork suggests you’re going to find rust in all the wrong places, and as much as I hate to admit it, vintage cars in New England simply don’t fare well when left sitting. The asking price is one of the more reasonable ones I’ve seen for a 356, but given you’re looking at $20,000 or better in restoration costs if you farm out the work, the seller may have to accept a lower offer to help someone justify the purchase. Do you think this Porsche project is worth taking on? Thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J. for the find.

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Comments

  1. bobhess bobhessMember

    The hidden areas that are probably rusty are going to take up most of that 20K mentioned alone. Get the price back down to something real and it might be worth it. Lots of money ahead to fix up this one. Nothing special about this car so over investing in it would not be smart.

    Like 16
  2. shelbyGT500Member

    Cute , looks like it needs dentures.

    Like 6
  3. Frank BarrettMember

    $20,000 won’t even cover taking it apart at a good restoration shop. Restoring it to “nice driver” status will cost well over $100,000, and if you want show quality, double that, at least. These cars are not rare, so there are plenty of completely restored cars out there to choose from.

    Like 0
  4. Grant

    39K for some rusty hulk that some kid hit with a hatchet? Just buy a replica for a better driving experience and forget speculation with dollar signs clouding her judgement.

    Like 11
  5. mrgreenjeans mrgreenjeans

    It IS a Super 90…….
    so it has that going for it.
    All repair panels ARE available for it, tho expensive……
    And I have seen far, far worse brought back from the dead.
    It will live again and altho it may not be for me, I do believe in modern miracles

    Like 6
  6. RonMember

    $20k in restoration costs? You will have more than that in body and paint alone…

    Like 8
  7. Jack Quantrill

    Lang leb der Porsche! Der rennmeister!

    Like 0
  8. Douglas Plumer

    This car has been on CoPart for months and several rounds of auction- without sale. It would seem to be in need of a price adjustment to get it going again. Best of luck

    Like 5
  9. RSparks

    The restoration on this will cost $70-$80k minimum. Nut and bolt testosterone go for around $140k so there is still some meat on the bone but good lord the time and aggravation doesn’t seem worth it. My late father would say if someone paid anywhere near that price for a rust bucket it would just be two fools meeting up. The first one thinking he could sell it for that and the second one for paying it lol. I learned later in life that most of what he said was true.

    Like 7
  10. Michael T Wallace

    When I was looking for my first Porsche to buy in 1977, I found a beautiful 1965 356C Cabriolet in perfect unrestored, well taken care of condition with 110,000 miles. It even had a rare original removable hardtop the owner kept hanging in its own bedroom in his house. I had $3,500 to spend, and he was asking $4,500. I ended up with a 1967 911S for $3,400. How I now wish I could have come up with the extra $1,000! That car is now worth $200-300,000. I’ve seen the hardtop WITHOUT THE CAR, go for $50,000! Oh the good old days!

    Like 0

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