This rare 1960 Porsche 356 T5 Notchback Coupe is a true barn find, according to the seller, who is a well-known specialist in air-cooled Porsches. We’ve featured plenty from unobtanium-inc in the past, and they keep sniffing out really neat 356s like this one, which the seller notes was not a stalled restoration car or trashed rustbucket – it was “get to it someday” vehicle that’s been parked indoors. Find it here on eBay with bids over $25K and the reserve unmet.
The notchback body isn’t for everyone, but its rarity among the numerous convertibles and traditional coupe-bodies that litter the 356 landscape make it a standout. As the seller points out, many of these were hacked up to convert to drop-top bodies. The notchback design has been sort of unloved throughout history, whether it’s a Mustang or a Celica, but I like it. This one presents very, with no major body damage apparent.
The seller notes: “A couple of things that make this a little nicer than your average project are things like the complete dash or the un-kinked hood, these are the little details.” After years of selling project-grade 356s, I’m sure he has realized that details like these make a car a standout. The interior is also fairly complete, with evidence of a striking original color combination of blue over red – was this, perhaps, a Bali Blue car originally?
I thought this seller traditionally provided a CoA or some other documentation about the car’s original condition, but I don’t see it here. It does have a clear title, and the seller notes it was sitting in a barn in Virginia as of last week – so maybe that information is still forthcoming, but I’d at least like to know whether the engine is a numbers-matching unit. The notchback body makes this one a standout, and it will certainly catch the eye of enthusiasts and judges at any upcoming classic Porsche events.
neat-o….
Adam? How can you sleep at night? Shouldn’t you really go find a nice job where your conscience is clear? I hear McDonalds is hiring. Our President has said, just this morning on TV that unemployment is at an all time low, you should be able to come up with something.
I think I finally figured it out, Billy is a pigeon….
Billy is a proud and practicing pigeon. Maybe I was abused by a 356 once in my life, hmmmm? Ever stop to consider that possibility? You should have more empathy for us “victims”.
Billy, I rarely stop to wonder why people are crazy. The late great Dr. Wright did that, this Wright just tries to avoid crazy people who act like pigeons.
Adam, Mama always said, “Stupid is as stupid does.” Mama would have to reference that thought concerning anyone who would pay well into five figures for a non running rusty hulk. Now, if some nice man who owned it would make it run and paint it oh so special to show a buyer how nifty it was, then Mama might change her mind, but not really sure on that, she was usually correct with her first impressions. (I guess I must take after her, got her eyes and nose too).
Ya know, I had my wife read some of your posts and she insists that you and David were never breast fed as infants and that explains a lot, at least according to her. Never one to contradict my wife as she is by far the wiser of us two, so I guess it is settled.
The 25,810th Mustang built is a notchback… I know that ’cause it’s in my garage. I’m one of those guys, yep, I prefer the notch, although… mmmm… nope. Not so much on a 356. Cool car, though, and great to see it hasn’t been cut up.
This notchback model was a slooow seller in the day, also a slooow
seller used, and maybe now, survivors, not crushed, are rare?
It’s there… but looks to need everything.
Nice karman Ghia 👀🙃
This surprisingly has not been run up to 85 grand yet …. I know reserve not met ..
I really prefer the rag tops but this can be refurbished…
what an ugly version of the 356, a pre 68 Karman Ghia Typ 14 is ten times more elegant. but of course, its not a Porsche,
There was quite a variety to choose from those days. Speedster roadster, cabriolet, coupe, notchback, roll up window roadsters, all made by different body manufacturers and with three types of engines, 4 cam Carrera, Normal, and Super.
Hi Bob, I always have gotten this subject mixed up. Is a cabriolet any different than a roll up window roadster? Recently I bought a BMW Z3, BMW calls it a roadster. Thanks for any help, take care, Mike.
Mike….See reply further down. Bob
I think the factory had a surplus of cabriolet bodies and grafted these ugly steel roofs on them. Not one of my favorites.
I have nothing but admiration for Adam! Most of you guys are just jealous that he can go out and find these things and make a great living at doing so. Make no mistake, I’m sure he works his butt off finding these all over the place. And there’s nothing stopping you from doing the same thing. Except money I suppose. But start small and work you’re way up instead of putting him down. I bet he started small too. Steve.
Works his butt off, really? He puts out flyers and newspaper ads. Otherwise how would you find them, no, people must come to him. I agree, if he can make a living at it, good for him, but it really isn’t sustainable over the long haul. Of course, growing up in a country club atmosphere (as he hinted at) , maybe he is just an optimistic guy. People who have never had to struggle, often get like that. (kind of like his customers I suspect)
Never bought a newspaper ad in my life, oh, and in the last two weeks I’ve logged 3000 miles picking up cars. I consider that working hard, 7 day weeks, 15 hour days.
Dude, you are such a pigeon!
As far as over the long haul, I could go five years without finding a car and steadily sell cars, just on my existing stock.
Plenty of iron oxide in that yard, why not fix them up yourself for a grander profit if they are such a great bargain? Is it possible that the present pricing structure isn’t sustainable or indeed fiscally prudent for an end buyer? Now here is an idea, how about selling them as projects that you will complete? End buyer can pick options, color, all they want. You get dirty rotten filthy stinking rich (That’s a Stop the World I Want to Get Off reference in case you didn’t know…see, even non prep school boys can be worldly in the London stage) and they can know their dream little souped up Bug will be in your ever so capable hands. Aren’t you getting a little tired of being viewed as a middle man, or better yet, a shady used car salesman?
I agree with Stevethebusguy!
Had two 356’s, one now, but not a notchback….
Must have been parked in the barn after 50 years of driving on salty roads. Take a look at the undercarriage. Not much left that doesn’t need new sheet metal.
If this is such a wonderful car, why doesn’t the Una Boys fix it up themselves before they sell it for a great BIG profit? Nope, this is a fools purchase.
I’ve always liked these. One of these days I’ll get a Speedster. Even banged up and dirty they still look good and fun.
The car sold for $38,100.
Okay, I have to admit, that is pretty good. Don’t spose you will tell us how you find these things. No newspaper, but unless word of mouth is good across the whole country, you gott’a have a system. Don’t worry, I have no interest in selling P Cars, trust me, you can tell me, I keep secrets very well. BTW, what is all this pigeon reference? Is that some prep school lingo? Did you and the good judge Kavanugh hang outside of bathrooms together?
Yes, in fact, you sir, are a pigeon.
Mr Wright, your analogy is interesting, but judging by our posts, you seem to be repeating yourself while I have offered new and innovative points. . You sir are a one trick pony, so who exactly is the bird playing that game? The story of today’s America. Inherit the cash and attitude, but none of the wisdom.
Oh, don’t worry Billy, I’ve got a whole bag of tricks, and I think you know that, that’s why you keep asking me to tell you how I do it? Because no one has done this in modern times, I repeat no one. Let me know if you want a copy of the poster, I just ordered another 1000 of them to grace garages across America.
And you’re still a pigeon….
Touche’!! Point goes to Adam! My goodness, I would love to banter with you all night but I have to get up early and work on my Nobel acceptance speech, so I must bid you adieu. Parting is such sweet sorrow.
Well done Sir!
Do you think he sells these on consignment for a percentage, or does he give some old farmer a six pack of Bud and a promise to clean out the junk from the back 40? Character means a lot to some, but since he isn’t attempting to be a Supreme Court Justice I guess his shady dealings can remain quietly forgotten. Hear that Adam, don’t ever get questioned by Congress, might be embarrassing.
Mike… The cabriolet had the coupe windshield frame and glass with the roll up windows. The Convertible D and the ’60 to ’62 Roadsters had a slightly taller removable windshield like the Speedster but both had roll up windows.
Wow! Thanks Bob. Removable windshield, Never would have guessed, the knowledge here is incredable! Thanks again, Mike. Not so big on the bickering, oh well. Take care.