This 1962 Porsche 356 may be appealing to some potential air-cooled fans, as it’s cheap by 356 standards and a previous owner has already started tackling the massive undertaking of restoring the body. The seller is well-regarded air-cooled seller Unobtanium Inc., and despite the listing ending soon, no one has taken a crack at placing the first bid of $10,000. Find it here on eBay where the seller describes it as being one of the cheaper options available for 356 ownership.
As you can see from this picture, a previous owner has replaced the rear clip, and the listing notes that the rockers and floors have also been updated with new pieces. The floors and rockers still need finish work to be considered “done”, and the rear clip remains unfinished as well – but the listing notes someone has at least begun grinding the welds down. Despite this, the 356 should still be considered quite rusty.
The interior shows that while the new floors are installed, there’s still plenty of other major corrosion lurking elsewhere. The old-school Rhode Island license plates indicate this is a northern car that has been parked for sometime, and clearly wasn’t protected from the ravages of road salt and year-round use when its driving days were still in effect. The seller notes the color combo as silver with black interior.
The engine is included but the seller refers to it as a “rough core” with parts missing and no information about the internal health of the mill. I tend to put a lot of faith behind what this seller posts on eBay, mainly because all they specialize in are rough 356s. It still blows my mind that this is considered a “cheap” way into ownership with a $10K opening bid, but is there a chance someone will take this on?
The underside shots show that the panel and floor pan replacement got started backwards. Bottom of the tunnel on both sides rusted at the bottom and the rusted areas underneath all should have replaced before putting anything else in. This is not going to be a cheap, easy, and short rebuild. Lots of good pictures provided by the seller to properly identify the critical concern areas.
I agree, it is a sad rusty car with some poorly attached cheap floor pans and seats from a British car.
I can’t IMAGINE how bad the rear clip must have been to warrant cutting it off.
This is where it really pays to find a better car to begin with.
Wow! Only 10k? Am I reading this correctly?
Estimated completion date: 10/10/2075.
Wow, the asking prices for these are not for most of us. Gosh, what do I want more, an old rusty Porsche, or Junior to go to college?
Grandpa, I think the choice is easy…..and it’s not a Porsche.
I think I’d rather have a replica.
Certainly the more economical way to go, plus no waiting, no hidden surprises, better performing, and best of all, no one knows the difference from the real thing. The snob appeal is fully intact, and after all, isn’t that the intent of a Porsche anyway?
Were you kicked off or did you just change you user name? Isn’t this your third name, first was Billy007, I can’t remember your second, now this. Same tired rhetoric, each time. Porsche owners are snobs, Mopars are overpriced rust buckets, the slant 6 was the best thing since the invention of the wheel, etc.
Steve R
Ahhh yes Steve! Lol I think you’re right! Seems like we’ve seen this sort of mindless commentary in previous posts.
Oh yes Steve R, you caught me, I am some secret hillbilly spy from Appalachia. I report to my commander in Pigsknuckle Arkansas and we discuss how to bring down the world threatening conspiracy that is the Porsche. Man, you guys need to get a life, too much time on your hands. maybe you should try getting a job, oh wait, trust fund babies don’t need those, do they?
No, I have loved the 356 since I first saw one at age 5 at the municipal tennis courts where my father played. I asked about it, and he said he thought it was French. I was mesmerized.
Oh i get it…….ummmm no I don’t
Another ‘barn find’ Porsche 356….I’m seeing a pattern forming here…….
Careful friend,or Steve R will try to insult you. He must have stock in some Porsche rehab company or something.
says it sold for 15 large. Good luck to the new owner, get caught up on your tetanus shots!
Cheers
GPC
This car appears to be little more than a pattern to refer to for dimensions when you’re welding together aftermarket panels to create a functional body. I know they have a strong following, but I guess I just don’t get it. As a side note, where are the VIN numbers located on these?
It’d appear the floors were only welded in to keep the car from folding in half.. the welding effort on the swapped rear tail should be an indicator of the “skill” the previous owner had when they started the project—but alas, it hit $15k on EBay and appears to have sold.. hopefully it ends up in good hands.
Most of us are older guys who remember these cars as a part of our youth!! Although these are the cars the we’re never in this kind of shape in our youth!! Who wants to spend years rebuilding a car that’s ready to break in half!!! The body work alone would be endless hours of cutting and welding!! Adding seam sealer priming!!! This is with out anything electrical or mechanical!!! At a ten thousand dollar price tag to boot!! This doesn’t even mention the fact that the project would certainly be upside down for what are grandchildren could sell it for when we perish!!! I think I could say for most of us here!!!! No Thanks!!!!!
This looks like it was retrieved from a nuclear test site. Finding one of these relics is like winning the lotto, no matter the condition!
If you really can’t live without a 1962 Porsche 356, I saw one for sale on Sunset Ave in Asbury Park, NJ last month. I spotted it with a FS sign while out for a walk and even took some pic’s. Really clean car with what I would characterize as only a slightly above average paint job, and by sheer coincidence I was introduced to the owner at a birthday party later the same day. She had inherited it from her Father. Her asking price. $85,000.00
I agree if I buy a 356 it better be a driver. Ebay is full of mid range drivers. Right around the ’62 in Asbury Park. High 60’s to low ’80s.
A replica is the way to go unless you have to have the original. I’ve had 5 356’s and the feel is very similar. Plus repairs are much cheaper.
It’s funny that there’s so much kvetching about prices. Look at the Cuda market for comparison.