While it seems like Porsche 356s are climbing out of the woodwork at every opportunity, the gentlemen at Unobtanium Inc. at least have a handle on what makes one of those projects a standout. This 1958 356 coupe has been parked since 1969, but it is a matching numbers example that once wore one of the prettiest exterior colors of all: Aquamarine Blue. Google it, you’ll thank me. Find the 356 here on eBay where bidding has crested $50K.
As the seller notes, finding a numbers-matching example has become unicorn status among even low-option 356s, or those that weren’t outfitted with one of the hotter motors. Similar to VW Beetles of the era, engine swaps were common when the original mill wore out and these were just used cars. That fact alone has a lot to do with why this 356 was parked in a garage in Virginia in 1969 and forgotten about. The car has been repainted, but there is a very pretty color underneath that rough mustard exterior.
The repaint was fairly in-depth, going so far as to coat the door jambs. I’ll never understand why repaints are done in non-original colors, other than people prefer not to wait for the right car to come along wearing the paint they want. As per this example, the interior is fairly complete but you can see floor rust is pervasive. Rust in general is the biggest hindrance here, and it will require extensive bodywork to set right. That’s OK – a repaint in Aquamarine is a must-do for this car, anyway. The original gauges and steering wheel all look serviceable.
At some point, a previous owner also added the Porsche graphics that 914s most commonly wore (and that’s where they should stay). While some of you may cast doubt on why a car like this would be restored, far lesser 356s have been rescued with no hope of ever being numbers matching again. This coupe, with its gorgeous factory paint code and original brown interior, will likely be one of the few in recent memory with a chance at returning its investment to the owner, all thanks to a matching numbers motor that still spins freely.
I for one, just do not see the attraction of these cars. Their small, cramped, and sound like a sewing machine.
Yee haa!!!!
Being 6′ 2″ and 250 lbs, I can definitively rebut your assertion: roomy, comfortable and with a built engine, fast and loud. Driven regularly as they should be, also dependable. Have happily owned mine for 23 years.
So does a Bristol engine according to one longtime owner of an Arnolt Bristol.
I like the open air floors and rocker panels 👌
This type of cooling makes me say 100k damn it and let wax the paint and drive baby!!!
I like burning thru money 💰 💰💰💰💰😎😋
This is where somebody says that “these are nothing but overpriced VW’s” and then somebody else replies that “it’s obvious that you’ve never owned or even driven one”.
Hey this looks like a Karmann Ghia😂😂😂😂
I bet you could weld pans and heater channels /rockers from a VW Karman parts catalog with little adjustments 👍👀
Dude seriously it’s an old vw engine and tranny like the 914 VW car as evidently it’s the substitute
The matching numbers were the front and rear license plates.
Basically, $50K buys a base-level car where just about everything south of the door handles will need to be repaired or replaced…
…Nein, dunke…
The silly thing about is you can buy tidy and going 356s for 50K or less ( :
Yes, but not a number’s matching A Coupe in a cool color. This car has what only a small class of cars has, it is “investment grade”. Like it or not the guy’s who demand this are the ones fueling the ever higher prices. They will take a car like this and make it like new, and probably not lose a penny in the process because as soon as they are done there is another “investor” who will want it.
Adam Wright
Unobtanium-Inc
I once heard a story of an old ad in the back of a magazine that said if you sent in a dollar, you would get back instructions about creating wealth that was guaranteed. So a guy sends in his buck and what comes back? A little card that says, “All you have to do is preach to everyone else about how to get rich, and they will buy it.”
Iam sure glad that some of the “boring”American cars I love
don’t have the same “fanatical ,obsessed money throwers”
driving up the prices of Monte Carlo’s Pinto’s..Gremlins…Darts,
station wagons, trucks ,and the other poor mans,
“peasant” transportation methods that most us had/have.
OR IS IT HAPPENING….??..!!
It’s nice when us little guys can have something affordable,
sadly..,that may become a thing of the past too.
Pretty soon a 1988 Yugo will go for 20G in “restorable”shape..
It’s a sad,sad world…LOL…
1988 Yugo will go for 20G in “restorable”shape..
never going to happen
Touché Adam Wright,
You’ve nailed it! This vintage, air-cooled arena most certainly isn’t for everyone. It’s a high stakes table for “investors” who have the money and the resources to see these project through…My interest has always been in the early split and oval Beetles along with very elusive coachbuilts. I’ve been in the hobby for well over 40 years and have watched the values go through the roof on certain models. I’m envious that I didn’t jump at the opportunity to enter this market before all of the modern-day-hype. It’s easy to criticize what you have no knowledge about. Whether you agree with the pricing or not, it’s exciting to watch and see what this market does…
I’ve decided that cars are worth what they sell for, whether I think they’re worth it or not. This one is obviously worth at least what it’s bid up to, as long as the final bidder actually goes through with it.
Michael, you have given us the basic rule of economics: It’s worth what somebody else will pay for it. I see this in the Hobby all the time, and people get excited about what appears to be astronomical numbers for pretty lousy cars.
But once again, if somebody writes the check, that’s what the car is worth. Well done.
What’s the big deal about “matching numbers”? As long as the car has the correct motor and trans, live, and let live!
Love the 356, but the rust is a deal breaker.
The bits of remaining fiberglass hanging from the bottom rusty areas
of the doors reveal a previous repair, though temporary, of the issue.
Lower door bottoms being fiberglassed was common in the era.
In this case it was followed by a color change, then either for styling
reasons or maybe the fiberglass repair turned out kind of wavy,
the PORSCHE decals were installed.
My guess…Mustard color with tan interior was preferable to the blue with tan,
at that time.
The metal air cleaners were the “hip” ones to have in the day. Clean them
in solvent and then spray a little oil over the metal screening to catch the dust.
Those circular metal air cleaners are Porsche issue, however I’m not sure those air cleaners were standard on the ’58 A Coupe here?
First write up on this site that I have seen where it is considered “ok” for a car to be severely rusted out because it needs to be repainted back to its original color.
Car just sold for $68,100. So once again, the critics will talk, but the market is always louder.
@blang816 Your Post: @SKM The front bumper also had some driveway rash on the nose of the front bumper so we went ahead and took the awful front license plate bracket off while we were at it. Why is that nuts? My Response: The BaT auction description said nothing about the “driveway rash damage on the nose of the bumper making it appear that the bumper repaint was simply to remove the plate mounting holes: “The selling dealer states that his cosmetic work has been limited to filling the front license plate mount holes and repainting the front bumper. In my opinion, it would be nuts to add paintwork to an otherwise original 7,000 mile, 14 year old Carrera to remove an original characteristic of the car. However, some might believe that repairing damage is different.
For 69 grand I could have one way ..way badasses vehicle…… one
Of these wouldn’t even come close to it..sorry…..sad…but ….true..,
I like the styling…but there are just too many restorustbukets of these
out there..Hope new owner builds it up really nice…very cool ..😎