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Rusty Wreck: 1957 Porsche Speedster

1957-porsche-speedster

The Porsche 356 Speedster is an icon in the sports car world and as such deserves to be respected, if not for what it is, then for the impact it has had. This Speedster was wrecked and then left to the elements to decay and rot away. We doubt the previous owner knew the future value of the car when they left it outside, but thankfully someone has realized the value in it and has pulled it from its resting place. Let’s just hope that someone with the means to restore it can see the value in it as well and will give it a chance to be respected and lusted after once again. If that someone is you or you just want to take a closer look, it can be found here on eBay. Special thanks to Steve R. for tipping us off to this one!

rusted-1957-porsche-speedster

Not only is this a Porsche Speedster, but it is a Speedster with some interesting history. The seller claims to have purchased it from one of the old estates of the Roosevelt family and that it was actually raced by one of the Roosevelts at Bridgehampton Raceway in the late ’50s and early ’60s. At some point the car was crashed, we would presume it was rolled given the damage it sustained. Perhaps they planned on fixing it and using it again someday, but by the looks of it they used it as a parts car.

1957-porsche-speedster-project

Between the crash and rust, there isn’t much car left here to save. Given the market for Speedsters though, we have no doubt someone will buy it, even if it’s just for the number plates. While we would love to have a Porsche Speedster, it’s hard to justify saving one that is this gone. With any luck, someone can see the potential here and will undertake this challenge! If this were your Porsche, what route would you take to restore it? Would you try to fix this rusted out tub or would you buy a reproduction body?

Comments

  1. Avatar ECW

    That’ll buff right out.

    Like 0
    • Avatar scot

      ~ right. a little 600 grit and elbow grease.
      the perfect B-J candidate. i’d write the ad this way;
      . running when parked. unrestored with typical patina for its age. just needs TLC.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Brian

      Maybe they buffed too hard?

      Like 0
  2. Avatar shawnmcgill

    Holy Moley! What am I missing here?? There is literally nothing left of this thing, yet the bidding is currently over $42K!!!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Robert J

      It’s called:
      “The Porsche Investment Bubble”.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Brian

        I’m wondering, at what point is it not considered a Porsche any longer, just a mass that once was a Porsche?

        Like 0
  3. Avatar DHS

    I’d love to see the wife’s expression when that one gets to it’s new home.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Keith

    Guess 30+ bidders can’t be wrong, that car will buff right out

    Like 0
  5. Avatar David

    This is a great piece of “still art” and that’s it.

    Like 0
    • Avatar geomechs Member

      I would tend to agree with you as far as the ‘piece of’ goes. Too far gone to do much with it.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar CW Muse

    You have to be a special kind of crazy to attempt this. There is more missing than there!

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Horse Radish

    O.K., O.K., O.K.
    now this one makes James Deans car look like a daily driver with a booboo….(if it still exists today)
    .
    but, seriously ?
    .
    where do you begin on this thing ? other than ??
    .
    .
    I know, OPENING YOUR WALLET and letting money flow freely, without any restrictions,
    no ?
    .
    ….about that auction :
    has anybody heard of shill bidding, now that E-bay has camouflaged the bidders beyond recognition ???

    Like 0
    • Avatar Horse Radish

      Just that first line of the description is enough info to walk,…. no!…, RUN AWAY
      .
      …so this person gets ready to sell the car ?
      will there be photos of the restoration ?,
      other documents of the work done ?
      a before and after shot ??

      Like 0
      • Avatar Brian

        Show me the CarFax?

        Like 0
      • Avatar Horse Radish

        Carfax for the VIN does NOT guarantee that the tag is on the right car!

        Like 0
      • Avatar Dave H

        Carfax is laughable! If repairs were made and NOT reported, it’s not on a Carfax.

        Like 0
  8. Avatar Robert J

    Here are some current values for comparison. Keep in mind that the earlier the year the exponentially higher the value.

    http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/cat.php?id=59

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Dave Wright

    Probablyght a a 350,000 car restored and parts are not difficult to come by……either repo or orignal. I bought a much better but similar car out of a junk yard in Poccatello Idaho in 1981 for 100.00, mine was a street driven 1955 that had been totaled in 1958. Restored it for 10K or so with the help of Stoddard and Dave Ahse…….sold it for 28,000 3 years later…….thought that I had made a fortune! Many parts for these cars are eiser to deal with than other marks, the engines were not assigned by exact number, rather than by a range of numbers., so a correct engine is not a big problem. Speedsters were made mostly of common parts except for the body that was somewhat unique. There were some very rare cars built with Carrera engines and the like but rember the Speedsters were designed to be a low cost alternative to the regular line of Porsches and compete in the market with the MG T series of cars.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Brian

    Is this the missing James Dean Porsche or do 31 people just make WAYY too much money?? I don’t understand how anyone could do anything with this, other than just “own it”. Personally, my wife would kill me for dragging this thing home even if it were free, and I think I’d deserve it.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Horse Radish

      I agree !!
      Just a hunch here:
      it must not be about the car(s) anymore.
      It’s an investor/money/business deal.
      Calculate original expense (purchase price) plus labor, plus parts and if the selling prices exceeds that, you have a profit.
      What boggles my mind is :
      How does anybody B U Y a car like this anymore without history, provenance, origin and documentation etc…..????????
      It could just be a 70ies intermeccanica replica with the VIN tags placed on it…..
      and presto you make a $5,000 roach into a $350,000 diamond ??

      Like 0
      • Avatar Brian

        But who see something like this as being something worth buying, let alone at $42,000? I’m not sure this thing could be properly restored even with an unlimited budget and even if it could, why?

        Tax rightoff? Got me???

        Like 0
  11. Avatar Rich G

    For that price, at least he could throw in the trailer!

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Bob

    There appears to be an issue with the door gaps. This may indicate some serious issues with the pan and door verticals. A ppi by a competent Porsche shop could be advisable.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Horse Radish

      if it is this badly warped, could you tell an original from a replica ?
      seriously ?

      Like 0
    • Avatar MikeG

      The door gapping may have something to do with the overall car having the rigidity of a piece of tissue paper. But I could be wrong…

      Like 0
  13. Avatar Brian

    Looks like another Lambrecht auction refugee up for resale… but instead of the History Channel, the crew of Punked should be on hand!!

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Greg

    This isn’t a speedster, it is an expensive VIN for someone with a speedster missing one.
    Viewed as such, it justifies the crazy price. That hulk is toast.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Horse Radish

      if you look at the bids, you can see two guys going at it from $25,300 to now.
      Two guys with VIN-less Speedsters, ….naaaww , what are the odds ?

      Like 0
      • Avatar Brian

        Yep, the owner’s brother and cousin!

        Like 0
    • Avatar racer99

      Greg, absolutely agree — the most valuable part (actually — the only valuable part) of this car is the VIN.

      Like 0
  15. Avatar maserati

    …and the $ 500.00 Trailer is “not” included.I am not biding,no Trailer,no Deal !!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Brian

      Come on! At that price, it’s like paying sticker for a new car and the dealership is too cheap to fill up the tank before you drive it off the lot.

      Besides, if you pull out those boards, that things gonna crumble.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Jeff

      I’m sure for $3,500 he would let that trailer go with it…

      Like 0
  16. Avatar David

    If I was dense enough to buy this stunning example of rusting compost, the first thing I would do after seeing a shrink would be to call the good folks at WD-40 and see if they’d like to sponsor its restoration.
    In looking at the bid history, the seller started bidding at $100 with no reserve. I wonder if he’s in shock where the bidding is heading? And for $42K, you’d think he could throw in the el cheapo trailer. LOL

    Like 0
    • Avatar paul

      & a case of wd40

      Like 0
  17. Avatar 88R107

    Its all about the VIN tag.

    Like 0
    • Avatar MIkeG

      Even it is about the VIN tag. The number is shown in the images, and now known worldwide. I’m sure Speedster aficionados will or have already entered that number onto any number of well read registry’s. I would imagine now that any car now with that VIN would be seen as a phony.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Greg

        Depends… 10y from now the auction winner might show restoration pictures of another car, say their current VIN- less speedster and you might believe it is that car that was redone. Or they’ll rebuild a new body around this VIN plate (the front VIN is gone) thanks to Trevor hammer works parts. Either way it won’t be THIS car ever again. This car is gone. Option 2 is legal but really it’s the same as option 1 :-)

        Like 0
  18. Avatar Dave Wright

    The vinn is stamped into the chassis above the front axle mount as well as on the data plate, All of these things that we covet are man made assemblies of parts that can be reproduced or Newley manufactured at any time. It just depends on the cost/value ratios…..James Dean’s death car is a 550RSK………

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Bryan Cohn

    One of the Roosevelt sons (Frank?) was the importer of Fiat’s (from memory of something I read) and he did some racing. No way to know if said son raced this car or not. I’m sure racing results from the era exist but its a needle in a haystack find at best. I recall reading that the son was a car dealer in that era as well, maybe he sold Porsche?

    As for the price and the coming Porsche bubble, it is going to be fun to watch and fun to pick up some cool Porsches at deep discount prices. The question is when does the bubble burst?

    Like 0
  20. Avatar Jim-Bob

    At $42,200 as of this post, this is proof positive that we are in a bubble market. Eventually it will pop and then people who paid this sort of cash for rusty scrap will be left holding the bag when there is no greater fool ready to buy it. Either that, or there will soon be a brand new Porsche 356 Speedster on the market in about a year built from almost 100% reproduction parts-save for the VIN plate.

    Also, I’m sorry. A car is only an important car with an interesting history if most of the parts that were present when it made history are still present. Otherwise, it’s just a reproduction with an original VIN.

    Like 0
    • Avatar paul

      Nah this one will take 10 years

      Like 0
  21. Avatar rusty

    gotta subscribe to this one…hee hee

    there is no end to manic investor bull shiiiite…

    seller started at a “lets just chuck it on ” price….didnt guild the lilly

    theres rusty gold in them there hills…
    didnt I see them walk past this on American Pickers..hee hee

    Like 0
  22. Avatar paul

    Happy thanks giving another 100,000 grand bathtub P car or maybe 130,000, blah blah.

    Like 0
  23. Avatar Peter

    Worth 1k for the numbers on it and you build the shell from parts.

    I dont think you can even get the number from it? Rusted away, me thinks.

    Peter

    Like 0
  24. Avatar Brian

    I would be curious to know if, after the auction ends ( assuming it’s legit), the buyer actually completes the transaction. I just watched the online resale auction of 18 cars at the Lambrecht auctions that buyers never paid for.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Dolphin Member

      Happens all the time with online auctions. I’m wondering the same thing as you….I’ll bet there will be bigtime buyer’s remourse with this one.

      Like 0
    • Avatar rusty

      Brian what does that or any Auction House do to those non buyers? I assume they are live auctions where bidders are present? therefore arent the contracts binding? Unlike ebay where people just dont pay and generally no one goes any further with it. Do these non buyers have any fury thrown at them?

      Like 0
      • Avatar Brian

        Not sure Rusty. I took a quick scan of the VanDerBrink website but didn’t see anything obvious about payment or collection. I would imagine that if they wanted to push it, it would go to court and the auction house would win and get a judgement, which they would likely never collect on, or at the very least, it would take years to see the money. In the case of one bidder, he died shortly after the auction and before making payment, so I suppose the auctionhouse could make a claim against the estate which would again take alot of time to clear probate and to see the money. I am not sure though, in that case, if the estate wouldn’t be due the car at the time of payment – but I guess not since they resold it.

        I’m guessing though, that a claus in the seller’s contract stupulates that a second auction is tobe held 60 or 90 days out from the original date of sale, to resale unclaimed lots and the second sale in included with the cost of the auction service, thus why the second sale was internet only and not highly published (to keep costs down).

        Although I personally believe people still overpaid at the second sale, prices were not nearly as extream as the first time; most of the cars seemed to be at half or less than what they were bid to “on tv”!

        Like 0
      • Avatar Alan

        Generally speaking, the bidder contract you speak of can also have a clause which leaves the original buyer on the hook for any or all of these:
        1. The cost to re-auction.
        2. A percentage of the original winning bid as a fee.
        3. The negative difference, if any, between the original winning bid and the re-auction amount.

        That policy, if it were pursued, could still leave the first top bidder on the hook for a lot of money. Pursue it through the courts? I suppose that would be up to the discretion of the auction company.

        Like 0
  25. Avatar Dolphin Member

    Team Roosevelt imported and raced Fiat Abarths in the early 1960s. They had quite a few ads in the car mags of the day and I have one of the brochures they put out for selling these cars. It was FDR, Jr who ran it.

    I have never seen anything linking Team Roosevelt with Porsche 356s, but the Team did lots of racing back in the day, so it’s possible that someone associated with the Team, or FDR, Jr himself had something to do with this poor old Speedster, but I would want to see something directly linking this car to Roosevelt before getting too excited.

    Speaking of excited, the bidders on this need to pop a downer and relaaaxxxx before they get in any deeper, because this won’t just buff out.

    Like 0
    • Avatar dj

      Without a log book or any kind of paperwork linking it to Team Roosevelt, It’s just a bunch of made up bs.

      Like 0
  26. Avatar rancho bella

    I have been attending the largest 356 show on the planet up in on Dana Point Ca. These guys are fanatics on these cars…….I tried to be one but it didn’t work. Money is no object with some of them.

    This car can be brought back. Heck, it would look ten times better after a good panel beater had five days with it. If ya’all check with the latest auction results, people are paying stupid money for these. They are fun to drive but ……………..so are my Elan Plus 2’s and Europa’s

    Like 0
    • Avatar MIkeG

      The metal is far too rusted for restoration.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Dave Wright

        These are simple cars, much more simple than the same year coupes or cabriolets. The interiors are bare bones, few instruments, simple wiring and the sheet metal is much simpler than a comparable wood framed English car.

        Like 0
    • Avatar Brian

      The terms “money is no object” and “paying stupid money” just don’t compute with me. Even if I hit the numbers, I still couldn’t justify grossly overpaying for toys, doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have a bunch, but they would be bought at or below book value. Too each his own, I just couldn’t do it!

      I’ve always felt that book value on a restorable car represented top dollar. I always try to buy ’em as cheap as possible because I need every spare penny to get it up and going. Buying at the “top of the market” or during “a bubble” is a no trespassing sign for me! Thus, I have no Porsches!

      Like 0
      • Avatar Dave Wright

        I agree in getting the best deal……but for a Speedster with some provonaunce, this probably is the best deal. I have done over 10 356’s over the decades. I would rather buy them au naurtural like this one than one in primer hiding the problems. Spray paint rebuilds drive me nuts…….this is an honest car, everyone can see what they are getting into. 150,000 and a year with a craftsman, you would have a 300,000 car. I remember in the 60’s there were a lot of discussions like this over my favorites, field found Dusenburgs………they easily top 7 figures these days……..and they are a very expensive restoration compared with this.

        Like 0
  27. Avatar maserati

    OK,let’s sandblast it first…and then we have something clean we can start on….

    Like 0
    • Avatar Wayne

      Maserati: If you sandblast it, there will be nothing LEFT to start on…

      Like 0
    • Avatar scot

      ~ ‘something clean we can start on….’ – right, a mound of clean sand & ferrous oxide.

      Like 0
  28. Avatar Leo

    OH lord…. This car has been beat to death on a couple of other car websites and now it ends up here!! There is nothing left to say about it except that the vin plate is going to be put onto another pile of parts and then passed off to some unsuspecting fool. Simple as that. Highly illegal and highly unethical!! The bidding is stupid and only illustreates the bubble that is currently going on with PORCHES so jump right on the wagon and lose ya money :)

    Leo

    Like 0
  29. Avatar Cameron Bater UK

    Hmm whats the next level above TCUT? – We need something that could remove Cheddar Gorge from the landscape here – to be honest the money it would take to restore this you could probably buy a new one – Sorry mut this is at least 99.9% SCRAP, a DOG doesn’t do it justice.

    Like 0
  30. Avatar Cameron Bater UK

    woof

    Like 0
  31. Avatar Chris H.

    Most expensive tetanus shot, ever…

    Like 0
  32. Avatar Brian

    Up to $46,100 now!

    Like 0
  33. Avatar George Member

    I bet there’s a restoration shop somewhere that has at least half of a car sitting around. Given the values of Speedsters, I’d bet they could easily restore it, and make money.

    People have been creating entire Ferraris to go along with acquired titles/serial numbers for a while.

    (But not ME!)

    Like 0
    • Avatar 01j

      Just attended the Hilton Head Concours. Tim Lingerfelt of Carolina Coach Crafters had a display showing where he was able to create a 356 body from scratch. Seems to me all you need are the serial number plates. Somebody will make a profit off of this someday.

      Like 0
  34. Avatar Mark Wemple

    It’s not just the Vin but the history as well, if it can be proven. I’m a porsche guy, current dd is a 996, and have owned 2 356s but honestly prefer my bugeyes to speedsters.

    Like 0
  35. Avatar Perry

    Expensive yard art or you can just add Christmas lights and make it festive,

    Like 0
  36. Avatar George Member

    I love them, and kick myself for the chances I’ve had to buy 356s in the past, but they are past, unless it proves to be a bubble.

    Price of entry to this little game is beyond my budget………

    Like 0
    • Avatar Brian

      Not to worry George, there are alot, ALOT, of cheaper games to get into. You can build a nice collection of old cars (maybe not Porsches) for $42,000. If your into old cars just for an investment, your in the wrong game! Buy gold – its a bubble too!

      Like 0
  37. Avatar Iron Mistress

    Seems like a pile of money to spend for a drivers side inside door handle,

    Like 0
  38. Avatar Chris Redman

    46K ??? WTF??? Am I missing something?

    Like 0
  39. Avatar jim s

    i wonder how much it would cost to just get to where it could be a daily driver!!!!. way to many other cars for sale.

    Like 0
  40. Avatar SeattleBob

    I like my TR6 that was found sitting in a driveway for $1500 and have easily turned into a driver with a rustfree body & mostly og paint. Porsches are cool but for the majority of us out of reach. There are plenty of alternatives! The TR6 body was designed by Karmann for God’s sakes! Seriously undervalued 6-cyl. powered cars that are a kick to drive….and relax, the electrical issues are not insurmountable.

    Like 0
  41. Avatar Dave

    $46,000?……. A good example of a fool and his money will soon part.

    Like 0
  42. Avatar Moxman

    This HAS to be all about the V.I.N. plate. The only way to restore this car would be to buy a reproduction body. I also agree that the money these old “tubs” are commanding is nothing short of insanity. I suppose a museum collector could buy this car and put it on display, as is; but there’s not a lot to display. The collector car world has no common sense, and this is proof!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Brian

      I am sad to say that I agree with your last sentence. The truly sad part is that every sale like this one, and the Lambrecht auction cars, clicks the hobby up a notch toward unaffordability, most likely by people who should be investing in other things than old cars or by people looking to take advantage of someone (like building a knock off of this car with the VIN plates and passing it off as the real thing).

      Of course, there are still plenty of hobby cars out there that remain affordable, but if things like this continue to happen, I have to worry about the future of the hobby for the average guy, with a family and a mortgage, who wants to get into the hobby, but feels priced out.

      My 16 year old nephew has near 0 interest in cars or even getting his driver’s licence, which, I understand in very common these days as kids seecars as appliances to get them where they want to go and little else. This, and the chinese lust for scrap metel, makes me wonder if the future of the hobby, or at least segments of it, may be winding down.

      Or maybe I just worry too much?

      Like 0
  43. Avatar Don Andreina

    A Jeff Koons giant balloon dog just sold for $60 million dollars. Makes this piece of art look like a bargain.

    Like 0
  44. Avatar Charles

    Back in the day, I wish that I had collected 356’s instead of Pontiacs…

    Like 0
  45. Avatar Chris C UK

    I wonder if the driver walked away from this wreck, in the day.
    Such colossal deformation of the front bulkhead…must have been one helluva an accident. Are there any records or photos of the car in action and/or the accident, I wonder ?
    Cannot believe this hulk (now bid up to $47k) is driving such bidding frenzy. At some point, surely, you cross over the point where just buying a VIN number becomes cost-prohibitive.

    Like 0
  46. Avatar Sim

    My first chuckle of the day. Thanks Barn Finds.

    Like 0
  47. Avatar Chris A.

    Paul Newman bought one in this shape years ago and gave it to Robert Redford for Christmas. Course he had it crushed into a cube and delivered with a bow on it. I wonder if Redford still has it, mabe he could pull off the VIN tag and “restore” it. Based on the current bubble prices I sure hope Redford’s didn’t have a DOHC Carrera engine in it.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Dolphin Member

      Actually, it was more complicated than that, because the gag went back and forth. Here’s Redford’s account of it after Newman passed away:

      Redford recalled a practical joke he played on Newman, to taunt his “obsession” with auto racing.

      “For his 50th birthday, I happened, in Connecticut, to find a trashed Porsche and it was just totally demolished and I had them wrap it up and leave it on his kitchen back step, wrapped in paper with a ribbon around it, that said “Happy 50th,” Redford said with a smile.

      Newman later returned it to Redford as a surprise package in his living room. Redford struck back with another gag — turning the same demolished car into a garden sculpture, which he left in Newman’s yard.

      “He was a real friend and that humor that we had, I’ll miss that. I’ll miss him,” Redford said.

      Like 0
  48. Avatar That Guy

    This is the very definition of “jack up the VIN plate and drive another car under it.” I think it would literally be cheaper to do what the Ferrari underworld has been doing for decades – fabricate another car from scratch, and ID it as this car.

    Like 0
  49. Avatar julian

    Talking of twin cam engines……. where is it? where’s the running gear?

    Seems to me that all the usable bits were stripped off and built into another shell many,many years ago.

    The buyer needs to check to see if there is another car with his chassis number.

    Finally, this is even worse than that Fiat Dino heap of parts that featured recently. I’m off to the scrappy to see if there’s anything really horrible that I can stick on Ebay.

    Like 0
  50. Avatar Gary Lindel

    I like how the ebay ad states that the trailer in the picture isn’t included in the sale. For $57k for that pile of scrap, I’d throw in the trailer for free.

    Like 0
  51. Avatar datsoon

    WOW my Porsche KEY FOB must now be worth $2500.00 yippee!

    Like 0
  52. Avatar Alan

    Winning bid: $57,200.
    Seriously folks… I love cars. I understand the love of cars. But shouldn’t something be gotten when $ are transferred? There is so much good that could be done with scam cash, if only people would think in that direction. $60 million for baloon dog art? The world continues to descend in to dollars and no sense madness.

    Like 0
  53. Avatar Dolphin Member

    Yep, won by a zero-feedback bidder at $57,200.

    Some likely scenarios:

    1) Assuming that the $57,200 purchase actually gets done (which I don’t necessarily assume), the buyer gets the car, sees what a pile of usless, twisted metal it is, prices the parts that are needed, and decides to list it on ebay to get his money back.

    2) Buyer never intended to try turning the useless pile of twisted metal into an actual car, waits until Speedster prices have risen higher, lists it in ebay and makes a few bucks. This depends on the “greater fool” theory of car collecting: If the car has enough karma, there will always be someone more foolish who comes along and buys it for more than the seller paid.

    3) “Greater fool” theory fails and buyer loses his shirt.

    Anyway, congrats to the seller, who probably made a bundle…..assuming that the purchase actually gets done, which I don’t necessarily assume.

    Like 0
  54. Avatar Chris Redman

    I got a $20 on the bidder is bogus and will not ever be heard from again!

    Like 0
  55. Avatar Bill (Melbourne, Australia)

    In the world of antique furniture, there has typically been an acceptable percentage of the furniture parts that can be replaced before that piece is no longer regarded as antique. Using an antique chair for example, if more than that allowance is replaced then generally the chair would be regarded as reproduction. Entrepreneurial (for want of a better term) antique dealers were known to obtain a single antique chair and use a single leg from it into newly constructed chairs and hence end up with 4 ‘antique chairs’ from just a single antique chair. The really entrepreneurial could turn a single antique chair into a dozen or so ‘antique‘ chairs by using the legs, rails and back sections into newly constructed chairs. There were big profits to be made in this type of practice (and I’m sure it still goes on).

    But how would you feel (and no – I’m not into antique chairs) after paying $100.0K or more for a set of so-called genuine antique chairs only to find out later that cut up bits of one real antique chair was all that you had for your $100.0K? It is typically classed as deceptive conduct designed to obtain a benefit and deprive others as such from the sale of the ‘dummied up’ goods = fraud.

    Anyone telling you they will rebuild that 356 from pile of parts is dreaming (or possibly telling an outright lie to cover up a potential fraud) or trying to beat up their own so-called restoration business telling everyone how many 356 they have rebuilt in the past and that their skills are so magical and magnificent that they can rebuild this one as well (HA) and if anyone built a new car around the pillar section where the ID plates are, then just refer back to the above re antique chairs, not much if anything at all left of the originally produced car and in my opinion, at that stage its all but worthless as an original 356.

    There was a rather high profile case here in Australia where a Falcon was passed off as a highly desirable GT version (some of the GT HO versions of these have sold near up to $700.0K here in the past), it was reported that the seller had sold what was a ‘dummied up’ common ‘taxi’ type Falcon body shell and cut more desirable body numbers into the common body shell as well as installing all the GT drivetrain etc. The seller was ordered by the Courts to repay the innocent buyer (plus damages if my memory serves me correct). The fake vehicle was ordered off the road to be wrecked (as it is illegal to chop out body numbers and weld them into another body shell in most if not all circumstances).

    Fraud is a serious matter, if that 356 ID is simply transplanted onto another 356 shell and then years down the track it is then sold to an unsuspecting buyer, then surely anyone with a modicum of understanding of the law would say = FRAUD.

    I suppose if someone has an existing 356 and they place that ID onto it and it then gives them a bit more ‘feel good’ that they have some nice ID on their once ‘blank canvas’, then good luck to them, but as soon as they sell that car on to another party as being the ‘real thing then there is a high potential for a fraud to have been committed.

    I am sure that any reader here would not like to be paying over large sums of money and later find out the only original bit of their 356 was nothing more than the tags and that’s about all that now reside on a donor shell. For the moment, just forgetting about the legality of such situation, I’m sure there has been many cases of Ferrari (so-called) and others built out of nothing much more than an ID tag or bit of metal with some numbers in it and for the moment just giving some ‘freedom’ to the situation, I suppose one may accept that as being fine for one’s own personal use, but physically and legally one cannot claim the vehicle to be of a ‘genuine’ original (‘antique’) construction.

    USD57.2K is a lot of money for someone to have ‘feel good’ ID on their own personal 356, but if the end buyer is contemplating a fraud by using the ID plates on another shell, then I’m sure they will eventually come unstuck. The publicity (for want of a better term) that that pile of rather useless bits has garnered will have made it to the top of every 356 club newsletter or registry etc and the fact of what it was when on eBay will be well known.

    Of course it will end up with its original quad cam’ engine (which if you look carefully – due to a bit of rust failure in the engine mount area has fallen down further into the engine compartment) and for sure it was raced by the Roosevelts – that’s certainly obvious by the log book one can see in the door pocket and the FDR signature on the dash.

    HA – the planks under it remind me of a leg splint board used to keep a broken leg in place. I highly suspect that moving those boards may upset that lovely patina around the door gaps.

    Fraud – “A false representation of a matter of fact—whether by words or by conduct, by false or misleading allegations, or by concealment of what should have been disclosed—that deceives and is intended to deceive another so that the individual will act upon it to her or his legal injury”.

    And if some unsuspecting person one day in the future purchases a 356 with the ID from that pile of rubbish swapped into it and then the authorities/police seize the vehicle and crush it – then refer to the above short paragraph.

    Of course all this is just my opinion – but I’m sure any sensible and honest car person will agree with me that anyone ending up with just this ‘ID’ transfer then onto a nice shiny 356 could surely be the victim of a deception/fraud and anyone driving it around knowing they have an ID plate from another vehicle on their car is just fooling themselves (and if they are happy with that – then fine) – but come time they try and pass it off as that car being genuine, then it would surely have to amount to a serious fraud, especially as these 356 are becoming very expensive bits of metal these days (of course one could say that particular 356 is one expensive bit of iron oxide).

    If it was rebuilt (and it cannot be logical that anyone could think of that car being able to be and that would be even if one was to use the centre part of a door skin or a few square inches from other panels as well) – then it would require a detailed – and I mean detailed to the last square inch – photographic evidence of a rebuild. But of course someone changing out a pillar section or just the ID tags into another 356 shell certainly won’t be taking photographic evidence of that ILLEGAL task.

    Then again – maybe it’s now a unique (albeit expensive) conversation piece sitting on display in someone’s bar – HA – or possibly sitting in the Porsche museum. But personally, if I was after a restored 356 and it came up with this ID – I’d walk away (whilst phoning the police).

    I doubt that even in ‘restored’ state that it could logically/practically be worth the E-bay price it has supposedly sold for as a wreck. If that ID is just transplanted onto another shell, then the fact that any day a tow truck from the Police could turn up to seize it to take away and crush it as a vehicle that has had an illegal ID change, then that would surely make it a high risk purchase?

    If the situation had been that this particular 356 had been sold in a very private arrangement, then I’m sure someone could quite easily get away with fraudulently/illegally changing out the ID, but being that it’s now a rather well publicised event, I’m sure that anyone contemplating swapping out those ID tags may now be a bit nervous about it. As mentioned, this is all just my opinion, but I’m sure honest people will agree with my thoughts.

    If anyone thinks I’m being a bit critical – then so be it – but just wait until one day you spend your hard earned cash on your dream car only to later discover that the dream is a fake/fraud and you’ve then lost your money – and also take this into mind – if you discovered your dream car was a fraud – and then sold it without notifying the next buyer – guess what = your GUILTY.

    I’m not saying that anyone is guilty of fraud (yet), HA, but if (and it’s certainly a HUGE IF) that 356 can be proven to have been rebuilt and not just the pillar section or ID tag retained, then it’s my shout for beer.

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    • Avatar Dave Wright

      Boy…….that is a lot of words………if I was going to rebuild this car, I would put it on my rotisserie , straighten the basic chassis, cut off the metal that is strong enough to be reused, English wheel them back to shape and re attach it with modern welding methods, replace the metal that is too thin with new panels……..it would still be the orignal car. It would have just as much orignal metal as most restored Porsches these days. There is plenty of money on the table to do the work.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Dave Wright

        As an Austrailian, You may not have heard of our USS Constution (your British brethren have, she kicked there ass durring the war of 1812) Lainched in 1797 she is still very much still alive and visited by tens of thousands of people every year at her Boston morage. Once a year she is sailed out and turned at the dock. She has been maintained throughout her life. She retains maby 20% of her orignal timbers but no one says that she is not real or the orignal ship. Cars are the same way, they break, get damaged and are repaired. It does not mean that the car is not orignal or real. James Deans RSK 550 was rebuilt as was Bill Cosbys Cobra. Repair work does not nessisarliy negate originality or provonaunce.

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  56. Avatar jim s

    seller has 0 feedback and buyer has no recent feedback. what could go wrong here. i am thinking that it will get relisted.

    Like 0
  57. Avatar George Member

    Great news, Jim!

    You’ll get another shot!

    Like 0
  58. Avatar Bill (Melbourne, Australia)

    Hello Dave Wright – so youre the one with ‘magical and magnificent’ repair shop that can restore this vehicle – where do you want the beer sent to? (or course once we see the evidence)

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  59. Avatar Dave Wright

    I have restored one like this……..mine wasn’t quite as ugly when I bought it (a 55 speedster vinn 81013 as I rember) mine was totaled in 1958 on the road and layed under another porsche in an Idaho junkyard unprotected until I discovered it in 1980. After buying it for 100.00, I spent 2 years restoring it in the days before all the parts were available as they are today. I invested about 10,000 in the car and sold it after driving it for a couple,of years for 28,000. I replaced the pans, one door, all the running gear, wiring, most everything that could be done in a nut and bolt restoration. The car had slid into a snow bank backwards, the rear tub needed straightened and aligned. A new right fender, the dash was dented and rusted through where water had layed in it, All it takes is time and money. With 300,000 on the table there is plenty of money.

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  60. Avatar Bill (Melbourne, Australia)

    “$300,000 on the table”, that sounds a bit expensive (more like $299,999 would be more acceptable), but I suppose if you were going to restore the quad cam engine (the one that is out of sight and further down in the engine bay due to the collapse of the rusty engine mount area) and make sure the log book in the door pocket was nicely cleaned up as well as buffing out the paint so the FDR signature on the dash could be retained so the Roosevelt lineage could be salvaged as well, then I suppose the $300,000 sounds quite reasonable for someone with magnificent and magical (or is that ‘magical and magnificent’) talent to use an English wheel to fix those rusted twisted panels/bits of scrap.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Jim-Bob

      It would have been kind of hard for FDR to have signed it seeing as he died before the end of WWII. Then again, maybe he had a TARDIS…

      Like 0
  61. Avatar Lee Fogel

    Wow, sold for $57K! That’s some serious cha-ching for this BUT the provenance of the Speedster generally and this particular Speedster is well worth saving. Nice to see someone save it but boy they have their work cut out for them.

    Like 0
  62. Avatar Bill (Melbourne, Australia)

    Yep — FDR had a TARDIS for sure – the same one that was restored on a magical and magnificent English wheel

    Like 0

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