Patina’d Notchback: 1961 Porsche 356 Super

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When we hear the word “notchback”, we often think of a Fox body Mustang. Perhaps even one in police-spec configuration, as the highway patrols seemed to love the upright two-doors. But the same word has relevance in the air-cooled Porsche community, as the notchback 356 is a rare variation of the much-loved sports car. Of course, the shape isn’t what you’d consider the most classic configuration for a car as iconic as the 356, and it can sometimes lead to a debate wherein rarity does not translate to desirability. Regardless, this notchback coupe listed here on eBay is in impressive condition with a desirable color scheme.

White on red is one of the more desirable color schemes for any car, but especially a European sports car. The seller specializes in vintage and collector-grade Porsche sales and has a track record of listing some very desirable vehicles. There’s not much information provided in the listing, and it’s honestly hard to say whether this is a completely original car or one with an older restoration. The condition is very nice overall, with leather seats that strike me as original, as new leather us pretty hard to hide. The carpets are red as well and appear to be in excellent condition. The dash and door panels are also quite nice.

The engine bay looks too fresh to be original, but as you inspect the photos more closely, it seems likely this is an unrestored car. My guess is this is an unrestored survivor that was freshened up mechanically while leaving the pleasing patina in place. The badge on the lid indicates this is a 1600 Super, which left the factory with a lively flat four producing 74 horsepower and 87 lb.-ft. of torque. The lightweight 356 combined with the Super engine made for a highly engaging driver, and a certificate of authenticity would be worth tracking down to confirm how many notchbacks left the factory with this engine configuration.

The period-correct engine lid-mounted luggage rack and factory steel wheels are catnip for OEM purists like myself who enjoy seeing cars equipped with accessories from the parts catalog. The notchback was limited to under 3,000 units, so it’s definitely one of the rarer 356s you can buy. The model was also the fist one built by Karmann. All told, it remains perhaps one of the more “affordable” options of the hard-to-find 356 models, certainly far cheaper than a Speedster or a Convertible D. This one also benefits from looking like an incredibly well-maintained survivor with an excellent color combo.

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Comments

  1. bobhess bobhessMember

    Nice car, good write up. Had a friend in the ’70s that had two of these. The look is a Cabriolet with a non removable top.

    Like 5
  2. angliagt angliagtMember

    And they only want $99,356.

    Like 2
  3. Big C

    A “lively” 74 horsepower! All for a hundred grand!

    Like 7
  4. Jim Bob

    I love the luggage rack.

    Like 4
  5. DRV

    I had a friend in the late 70’s with a few of these as a collector when they were a thousand bucks. He said they started as a convertible and Karmann welded tops on them because they made too many. Please correct me!

    Like 3
    • Danny V. Johnson

      No, DRV you’re correct. It gave them another market. In some places they just couldn’t sell cabriolets. (Not Notchbacks). As for the crack about “Lively 74 “, think of it as a light weights VW with 74 horse power. My dad had one of those engines, from a wrecked Porsche, put into his ’68 Karmann Gia. It would give you a nose bleed. I was about to get my driver’s license. My Dad made sure it was sold before that happened. I was so disappointed.

      Like 4
  6. Jack Quantrill

    Schmucks like us can’t afford these. But it’s nice to look!

    Like 3
  7. Dlegeai

    …I like the looks of it but why does the rear axle sit higher than (I think) it should?

    Like 0
  8. James

    Only 1900 of these were made which you would think would make them in very high demand. I’m going to guess that most like me prefer the standard models appearance more. Way over priced from what I see. https://bringatrailer.com/search/?s=+356+Notchback

    Like 1
  9. DRV

    After some research the notchback in ’61 was a T 5 which there were 1, 040 something made , and the later and different 600 something made ’62 T6 , which was not a Cabrio to start with and had a different windshield. Only 55 T6 ‘s are know to exist. If this car had the original motor and is the first Karmann T5 built, it should be worth more than 100 k all day.

    Like 0
    • James

      pretty sure (but not positive) your numbers are wrong.. this is the last of the T5’s not the first. plenty of them around as a quick search will indicate.

      Like 1
      • James

        sorry, should have said you’re mistaken..

        Like 0
      • DRV

        Thanks James, the ad says first and you checked it out.

        Like 0
  10. Frank BarrettMember

    Some hate these, but most Porsche people think they’re cool. They are rare enough to stand out among the perfect Speedsters, etc. But as with any 356, everything here depends on what’s underneath. How rusty is it? What will it cost to bring it back?

    The engine is a good sign and probably makes over 100hp now. It was obviously recently overhauled and looks to have clean sheet metal, Weber carbs, an alternator, and a remote full-flow oil filter, which mean that the owner was willing to spend money for a good job. But when it came to body and paint, maybe he chickened out.

    Fill a briefcase with $40,000 in one-dollar bills, lay it open on the dealer’s desk, and I bet he’d go for it.

    Like 1
    • angliagt angliagtMember

      Where do you get a briefcase like that? If I had
      one,all that would be in their are moths.

      Like 0
  11. Wilkinson

    Who’s the idiot post this? This car engine has been upgraded so bad. I used to own same car. Nothing stock on motor!!

    Like 0

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