This 1962 Porsche 356 is a refreshing change of pace from the extremes we see in the vintage air-cooled market these days. It’s neither the nicest nor the worst; it appears to fall squarely in the middle of the current market, with a clean body, a rebuilt engine, and some easily remedifed rough edges. The seller notes the engine was rebuilt approximately 500 miles ago, and the 356 is now listed here on eBay with bids to $20,000 and the reserve unmet.
The seller reports that he has owned the 356 for a decade or so, and based on the license plates and his phone number, he moved this car down from southern New York State to the far more pleasant climate of Fort Pierce, Florida. The good news is that for whatever length of time it lived in the northeast, it doesn’t seem to have suffered for it. The body looks very nice and it has a bit of an outlaw vibe with the bumpers removed. The seller does have the bumpers and mentions that the car needs a paint job.
The paint looks fine from afar, but I’m sure he’s hedging that most buyers will be the perfectionist type who would recoil in horror at a less-than-perfect paint job. To me, this 356 as it sits is in the sweet spot of being a driver you’re not afraid to use and a car that’s ripe for the full outlaw treatment. However, the smart money is certainly on restoring it back to stock, especially since it doesn’t seem to have strayed too far from its OEM configuration. The interior is in presentable condition with black vinyl seats and period-correct Coco mats.
The listing mentions that the flat-4 engine was rebuilt by well-known specialist Hoffman Porsche. The seller notes that while the engine runs, it needs a carb adjustment. We see this more than you’d think, where a car gets a proper engine rebuild and then proceeds to sit for a few years. It doesn’t make much sense to me, but hopefully the next owner can reap the benefits of driving a real-deal 356 with a freshened up drivetrain.
If you can find a 356 daily driver in good condition buy it. They are fun to drive and fast enough to get you in trouble. No reason I can see not to put the bumpers back on as it isn’t in the “Outlaw” category.
What engine? Did they still have Normal, Super, and Super 90 in 1962?
Yes.
No badging on the rear and the single barrel carbs say it’s a Normal.
That body color painted dash carried over to the early 912’s. Looks nice.
Is that a Bricklin SV-1 sitting next to it?
A Bricklin on one side and looks to be a Morgan to the other side…eclectic stable of cars.
Ps: I think I tapped the ‘report comment’ instead of reply…sorry ’bout that
I thought the Porsche with this body style was an ugly car.
To each one’s own.
What do u think about the poor man’s Porsche – this car’s stepbrother – the Karmen Ghia? lol
No pictures of the underside when it is in a shop with lifts is a red flag.
Even though it’s a B not a C, the body is a T6, the last of the 356 designs. The seller should post photos of the floor pan and the rest of the underside. Otherwise, a potential buyer is strictly rolling the dice–and they are loaded the wrong way.
possible candidate for a Subaru engine implant?
possible candidate for a Subaru engine implant?