I feel like there is a much bigger story behind this car than what is being shared on eBay, and that story could make it immensely more appealing. Right now, we have a rusty 1964 Porsche 356C listed with a variety of fascinating photos, none of which tell us exactly what is going on with the car. It certainly has lived a life, but that life has seen it exposed to some manner of moisture or road salt or both, because today, it needs serious restoration. Find this 356 listed here on eBay with an opening bid of $9,000, a reserve, and no action yet.
The seller rolls off some details about the car that are just general lazy research stats citing production volume and not much else. Photos like this one are included, which suggests he got the car from someone who made memories with it, or at least cared enough to keep archival photographs. The white coupe looked far better in this ancient photo, which seems to indicate it was used in someone’s nuptials when it was far less rusty. Can anyone make out what state that license plate is from?
Perhaps I made an assumption about this car’s past, because it is currently located in Honolulu, Hawaii – which is a climate that can rust out a car without ever seeing a lick of snow or salt. This makes a ton of sense, especially since the photo above appears to show someone in a service member’s uniform, and we all know that every branch of the U.S. military maintains a presence in this part of the world. However, time has certainly taken its toll, with extensive rust visible on the body and chassis. The seller notes it is a one-family-owned car and that there is “…$7058.50 in back tax.”
A variety of photos indicate the current steward has attempted to get it running, with “action shots” of what looks like project-grade work happening in the garage. The whole picture remains murky, however, with no clear answer as to what happened to this 356 in the years it went from being a cherished wedding vehicle to a forgotten project. One challenge of being on an island, however, is that when a key component fails, repairs are often slow. The seller mentions some recent repairs but doesn’t confirm if the 356 still runs. In ’64, a base 356 would have produced 75 b.h.p. and 86 lb.-ft. of torque. While it was enough to whisk away a recently married couple, will it still have the gumption to get back on the road?
That thing is crispier than potato chips. Wow.
Looking at the pictures makes wonder if they live under water.
If they aren’t now, they will be underwater later…
Not sure it would survive the “boat” ride back to California for a full restoration .Generally vehicles are strapped down quite good to keep them from moving . Frames ( what’s left of it) tend to bend quite a bit. $9000 seems high start for an auction.
No frames on this car. Trick is finding something strong enough to tie it down with.
Senoir officers loved these, esp the ones who saw no combat. All the glory of a soldier and none of the gore. They had longterm choice duty calls, that totally explains this car. Perhaps I am a little bitter. Amazing, after all these years. I spent several days in the islands on route back to the states. I could care less, all I wanted was to get home. Between the beer and trying to forget, I noticed many a fancy well paid officer with foriegn sports cars.
Okay, despite the angry rant, I do like the 356s. A decade ish later I strongly considered buying one to tinker with. Of course, they were almost give away items in those days. This one is pretty rough. Back then, I would have passed on a car in this condition. Though of course, sure not a V8 Stang, but still a blast to drive in its own right, once you got the hang of it, of course.
Owned 2, great drivers, lots of fun. Fun’s gone on this one.
We took our ’64 C to Norway when assigned to a NATO job. Not wanting to expose it to snow we bought a VW notch back to use in winter while hiding the C in the garage. Picture shows the only time it saw snow and that was 30 feet from the garage.
here’s the first of the neighbor’s cars I remember. All ways porsches. Worked
with my father 30, 60 min away in the city (Boston). Taught our MidLantic family, recently to New England, how to to ski – on rentals at 1st, expensive hobby, need to test out before going whole hog (we did the nxt 40 yrs). What a great men, nice estate on which I had some of my 1st work (landscaping).
Still in ‘the single digits age’ I saw the car as another vee dub bug. Not bitten yet by the other one in adolescence – the car bug. Targas, Carreras, all the models thru the years, never of interest to me. Nice cars, I respected, but back burner ideas. Till the 914-6, the 924 (& successors). More noticeable from your swell pages right here. Thanks for “the turn on”.
Run away, and hide from this one! Only a fool, or an Englishman would buy this.
Drove one 40 years ago – ranks with my faves. Might have been a project 20 years ago. What a shame.
Lots of rust!!