This 1956 Porsche 356A may have plenty of cosmetic faults, but the pedigree factor is through the roof. It’s a real-deal “Super” model with a numbers-matching 1600 engine. The car has a great story, having been purchased new in Germany and later shipped home. Now, for better or for worse, the Porsche has plenty of rust in the lower extremities of the body, but the longtime owner chose to focus on mechanical refurbishment rather than cosmetic fixes. In sum, it runs out pretty well but will eventually need rust repair underneath to keep it around for the long haul. Find the Porsche here on eBay where it’s listed for $97,500 with the option to submit a best offer.
The patina is wonderful on this 356, which has resided in the mid-Atlantic region since coming stateside. It sounds like the 356 has been with one owner for many years if we’re reading the description correctly, and that it has been exercised regularly as a weekend driver. The hubcaps, small taillight lenses, and standard ride height remind you how pedestrian a Porsche used to be, despite likely seeming like a rocket ship compared to other cars on the road at the time. The glass all looks to be in good shape, and it’s said to retain all of its numbered body panels.
The interior also remains original, with its factory leather upholstery by and large handing on. The door panels, hardware, dash, and steering wheel all remain original as well, and it even still has its rare Telefunken radio. Fun fact, I visited the Telefunken factory in Connecticut not long ago, and they are fully aware of their heritage and association with classic German cars. It’s great to see a small company take so much pride in that sort of thing. The 356’s original color scheme consisted of Aquamarine Metallic paint over gray leather, and while it would look stunning if fully restored, there’s also a strong case to be made for leaving it alone.
The numbers-matching Super engine is really a sight to behold, as so many air-cooled Porsches of this vintage have had their original engines swapped out by this point. While we cannot get a clear sense of how bad the rust is – we can at least see it in the doors and edges of the body, but there are no clear photos of the floors – it would seem the heritage and engine specs make this one worthy of a sympathetic restoration regardless of how porous the floors may be. Certainly, far less deserving 356s have been restored previously, but we hope the next owner at least preserves the original paint job in some way.
Weird to see a project 356 that is complete and runs. Most projects that remain out there look like they pulled them out of a swamp. Buying from Gullwing/BHCC means you’re going to pay full retail.
How deep under a rock does someone have to have been living for the last how many years to not know that just about any air-cooled Porsche is worth serious money?
It took me a long time to appreciate the 356 Porsches. Back in the mid-70s, I had a teacher that loved these things. They were quite cheap then, and my teacher, a somewhat eccentric Brit, was always finding, buying, and selling usually tired examples.
We students teased him about his “bathtub cars”, and he was always trying to explain why each one was special. I guess we really didn’t get it.
In the 80s, a wealthy family friend was really in to the 356 cars. He was very well-connected in Porsche circles, and started buying up very nice low-mileage, and rare, original examples, especially early Speedsters I wondered why he would do that, as he could afford any new Porsche. He was considered a genuine 356 expert by fellow PCA members who would frequently seek his advice on restorations. He loved driving them too, and all were licensed/insured for the road. He and his wife, or son regularly accompanied him on long country drives. He sometimes stopped at my place for a coffee, and talk cars. I slowly started to warm up to 356s.
He continued buying, selling, and regularly driving (on perfect days) 356s until his death about 10 years ago. When he died, he had 6. His wife and son also appreciated the cars, and decided to keep one-each, and sell the other 4. They got almost $1 million.
I think if I were to buy one, I would look for one like the car for sale here. I think I would resist the urge to “restore” it, and just make sure it was running/driving well.
It’s a country where success is possible, and some people just love classic cars that much.
I knew that this was another Gullwing offering without reading the copy.
Peter really knows how to dig them up!
Nothing really got “dug up” here … this car was sold at Gooding Amelia Island auction a month ago for $67,200
Those engines were passed around like a joint at a party! Matching numbers all around kind of makes this a steal in my view