Every now and again, we have to remind ourselves that collector cars were not always considered items of extreme value. They were old, used vehicles that got passed around, much like the modern-day Boxster and Mustang. Not only were they actually used as the manufacturer intended, but they were modified, upgraded, and abused. This 1959 Porsche 356 is in an interesting state, with aftermarket steel fenders, wide wheels and fat tires, and its original, numbers-matching engine. Do you bring it back to stock or rock it in its well-loved, period-modified state? Find it here on eBay for $69,500 or best offer.
I am constantly torn when it comes to modified versus stock cars. In a way, the modifications speak to an owner who wasn’t obsessed with perfection. He wanted a car he could use. The metal flares appear to be well done, and Lordy, that allowed a previous owner to stuff some fat wheels and tires inside the fenders. The car looks like a period track rat, and perhaps that’s how it was used – which would have been perfect for a 356 that was likely plenty used up by the 1980s. The bodywork still appears clean and free of rust, and the deleted bumpers just scream “racecar.”
The interior is totally livable. It’s not perfect, but you can use it as-is for decades to come, especially if you continue to drive it with no thought given to returning it to OEM shape. However, you may be tempted to bring it back to showroom specs when you consider the original color scheme: Meissen Blue over a red interior. Oh man, the conundrum just got real because that is a fantastic color combo on a 356 (or anything, really.) This is where your decision gets more complicated, because the time and effort involved in returning it to stock shape may actually be worth it.
What’s amazing is that despite all of these modifications, the engine remains numbers matching. The 1600 unit produces around 60 b.h.p., and perhaps it seemed like enough when it was still a tired sports car (if it was ever.) Or, perhaps the owner knew that keeping the engine stock and original would be the smart play when making the bodywork modifications. Whatever the reason, the fact that the engine matches the car makes the value proposition quite strong with this 356. Now, what would you do? Would you keep the modifications in place, or would you strip it back to stock and respray it in the original color scheme?
There are several ways to get bigger rubber on a 356 but this isn’t one of them. Even the pro shops building hot rods out of them don’t go this route. The race car I built out of a ’59 roadster rust bucket (had to jack up the center to get the doors open) got fat race tires without heavy modifications to the fenders. Note: That engine is putting out more than 60 hp. The carbs alone will get it up to the Super 90 hp.
IMO the flares make the proportions look odd, almost cartoony. Having said that I’d be tempted to leave as is and go back to the original color scheme. For me it depends on the age and quality of the conversion. I’d want to know more history. Of course for $69k I’d probably be looking at something other than this particular car.
Bob, I like yours as much as the one listed!
Thank you. Took almost 100 hours of welding. Cost me $85 to save it from the crusher. Only had 2 cars later that came close, a ’60 356 roadster race car also heading for the crusher with all the running gear, and a ’60 Sprite with as much rust as I’ve ever seen on any car. It’s the one on my posting image.
I can relate to the 100 hours you spent on the welding. I spent almost 25 years as a welder and fabricator and a good part of them bending fitting and welding cars back to life. Believe i have seen 3 of your cars and everyone of them look great with a perfect stance you do some amazing work.
Thanks. I’ve always tried to build cars that went fast and looked good. Why build something that doesn’t look good after all that work.
Conundrum, indeed. I profess no real knowledge of Porsche besides an appreciation of the marque. Like most of us in the collector world though, the bigger question is will the vehicle (boat, car, motorcycle, etc.) appreciate in current form? The market is fickle, but I think good money says return this one to OEM status.
Good money is right. It would probably double the asking price to bring it back.
I like it the way it is and it seems well done.
Also the color combo fits.
My first future ex-wife had a ’65 Mustang that her father had done up with metal flares and fat tires much as this 356. He liked to mention “those are metal not fiberglass flares”. Wasn’t much to my liking but oh well, it was quality work I’ll admit.
For me, I’d say a $15K deduct on the asking price due to the body mods.
These are always interesting posts. It is good looking modified car and I totally get it that the owner did it the way he wanted and not original. I do the same thing. The fenders look well done but take away from the ‘bathtub’ feel of those Porsches. These cars are completely out of my price range today. The one little thing that irks me is the steering wheel cover! How can you ask $69K for a car that has a $2 lace-on Walmart steering wheel cover? At least do a stitched leather cover, install a center cover and finish the interior to match the rest of the modified vehicle. Just my two cents!!!
I like this car. If it were mine I would spend money on more power and enjoy the rest. But only if most of the money spent had been shaved from the asking price!
Nice car! Just need a little touch inside! Looks pretty ad! The rest is up the new owner! But still a “ good car overall” nice
Since it has been modified to this extent… why not save that motor and install one in the 300+ range with a newer transmission??? For a big improvement in performance…
I don’t know a thing about this model.
I happen to think it’s cool. I love the look, which I’m sure makes the Porsche lovers absolutely livid. Seems like an awful lot of spendin’ money for a modified classic though.
I like the look. But then I’m not a Porschepfile. (spelling?) Even with the engine mods it would be a rolling road block at the local track day. I’m sure it handles great. But straight away speed would be lacking.
At first glance I thought it was a replicar. Looks like a lot of work to restore to stock, especially at that price. Even at a third of that price you’d be under water when done.
I had a 1968 BMW 1600GT I was told dismissively by the service manafer of
Vasek-Polak BMW in Redondo Beach was not a BMW, arrogance and ignorance pure. I widened the fender arches, installed low profile tires mounted on chromed mag wheels (a la Fuchs), installed a custom console containing storage for tapes, a lovely Motorola Stereo, rear speaker, a reardeck mounted electric fan to improve ventilation (which iit never did), wild and wooly license plate frames, heavily chromed with beautiful, international plaques, front and rear. I bought those at Beverly Hills Auto Accessories, at the time a store selling high class dress-up parts for sports and classic cars truly luxurious high class sheep skin seat covers. This car was absolutely stunning. After many years it developed drive shaft problems and since I could not get it repaired, I gave it away for $8600.00 at a Kruse classioc car auction, what a fool I was, a certified fool. My wife was furious with me and I don´t blame her, Years later I found out there was a drive shaft specialist north of Los Angeles who could have fixed the problem, but my crooked and utterly dishonest mechanic never told me about it, being fully well aware of the presence of such a shop. Stupid, gullible German that I am, I trusted the Serbian bastard. After I had bought the car in Mannheim, Germany, I drove it all over on the Autobahn at 150km an hour, without the slightest problem..
Although good looking the car as is, i would have prefered the original dark blue over red interior. My X1/9 Fiat Bertone’s similar blue metallic over deep red leather seats looks good. IMHO the fat tires with the 60hp engine are incompatible, the performance will suffer and it’s not what is expected from a car with the Porsche badge.
I like mods on some cars when they’re done well and I love the look of this one from the flares and the updated tan interior, and that it still has the original engine. I wouldn’t change a thing right down to the steering wheel cover. And btw Joey those are full cowhide leather and they definitely aren’t two bucks anymore.
The rear needs some bumperettes to fill in the square holes, and the cheap stick on rear red reflectors find a trash can along with the $2 buck steering wheel cover.
I love this car! Need to sell my stopped project ’40 Willys to buy this 356.