While many vintage European cars are over-restored these days, there’s a strong following (and support for) keeping survivors in untouched condition, especially if they wear original paint. This 1965 Porsche 356 C is a genuine two-owner car that was purchased new in Washington State before relocating to Boise, Idaho where it still resides. The longtime second owner was an engineer at Boeing who parked the car in 1980 due to brake issues, and it’s listed here on eBay following a comprehensive mechanical refresh.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J. for the find. The 356 still wears its correct dealer plate frame, as it was sold new by Pete Lovely in Tacoma. The fact that the plate frame and paint still appear to be in excellent condition is a testament to the time-warp condition of this 356, and the period-correct luggage rack on the engine lid is the icing on the cake. Though the seller has identified some areas where the paintwork has been blended, it is largely untouched, right down to the rock chips on the front end.
The interior is in phenomenal condition, both for a restored or un-restored car. The description indicates the only upholstery work consisted of repairing the driver’s side seat bottom, which is amazing for a car that was actually used. The painted dashboard is in excellent shape with an original radio still installed, and the passenger-side bucket seat displays a pleasing sheen of patina. The 356 was used but clearly never abused, and it obviously helps that it was parked in the 1980s after a mechanical fault developed, and kept out of harm’s way for the ensuing decades.
The 356 benefits from a thorough mechanical reconditioning at the hands of one of the foremost Porsche experts in the country, Brumos Enterprises. The list of fixes include a full brake job (including new master cylinder and rebuilt calipers all around), new fuel lines installed and full system flushed, rebuilt Zenith carburetors and fuel pump, and all-new Vredestein Sprint tires mounted on the original rims. The asking price of $77,500 is high, but when one is considering purchasing a survivor like this 356, it seems completely worth it.
Interesting why the car was parked. The brake system on these cars is about as basic and simple as you can get. Nice car here. Too bad the price of these is so high that the general car enthusiasts can’t enjoy them.
One minor correction. The write-up indicates that the mechanical reconditioning was performed by Brumos Enterprises (implying Brumos Porsche). The eBay description states that the work was by Adam Bruno at Bruno Enterprises, which is a classic VW/Porsche shop in Spokane, WA.
That body colored dash was carried over to the early 912’s. Looks good.
I should be sorry? But to my unrefined eye, this looks like a “gussied” up VW Beetle. I’ve never driven either a portia (spelling mine) or a vw, but I towed both out of ditches with my 1970 Plymouth Fury. I know Porsches are well renowned for performance, but I think I’d rather have room to crawl into the engine bay and SEE what I’m doing?
Agreed. I would rather have a pickup truck. This is a terrible vehicle for bringing lumber home or a washer dryer set.
That’s what friends with pickups are for.
This is no VW. Porsches, are more than the sum of their parts. Almost Spiritual. The design, construction, drivability, appearance, are all superior to common means of transportation. Scoffers, like to condemn, before investigation.
The Porsche = VW argument at this point has gotten tiresome. If you haven’t at the very least driven both of them, nobody really cares, okay?
19 days left on the auction? That is a crazy long time.
It isn’t an auction. It is a for sale ad. It only expires because that is how eBay classified ads work.
Pretty nice example of a 356C and the price seems pretty reasonable for the condition its in, The Porsche Certificate of Authenticity has it listed as a 1964 built in 07/06/1964 yet it being listed as a 1965 ? I know July is towards the end of the model year but ? It’d be nice if I could be updated of comments to this .
Damn I just saw one on BaT go for 250K. Super nice but still…
Seemed like a good deal until I spotted all the rust . . . bidders and potential buyers be cautious.