In a poetic but weirdly unrevealing listing here on eBay, we find this 1965 Porsche SC bid to $56,156, reserve not met, located in Newport Beach, California. The seller indicates this car is a show winner and has covered just 43,650 miles from new, but nothing is directly stated about its running condition – only how it will feel once you’re piloting it down the road. And that should be fabulous – the Porsche 356C was the final iteration of the aerodynamic teardrop body before the car grew up to be the 911, and its motor, suspension, brakes, and interior accommodations were all improvements over the 356B. The SC version represented an even larger leap forward, with an engine carburetted and tuned for 26% more horsepower than the 1600C. Let’s glean what we can from this listing – and catalog what’s missing.

The seller says the engine is numbers matching, and since Porsche collectors care a lot about that, we’d like to see a close-up photo of at least one number – a logical choice would be the number on or around the generator stand. The motor has also been rebuilt, but no word on whether receipts are available for the work or how many miles have accumulated since it was completed. Speaking of mileage, documentation for the odometer reading would be appreciated. Both the 356C and 356SC engines displace 1600cc’s but there the similarities end. The 356C engine did receive an improved camshaft profile to make its 75 hp more usable at lower gears, but the SC utilizes the high-lift Super 90 camshaft, sodium-filled valves, larger exhaust ports, and twin Solex carburetors to generate 95 hp. The performance difference is marked – from a 110 mph top speed to 123 mph, and a 2.5-second reduction in zero to sixty time. Both cars utilized a four-speed manual transmission, and disc brakes became standard.

Better-bolstered seats were supplied with the 356C versus its earlier siblings, door panels now had armrests, and the demister was improved. This interior is renovated in brand new leather, which brings up another question: why does this listing indicate “factory original”? Some parts obviously are not, including the “original” radio that’s been remanufactured with MP3 capabilities. The coupe should have vinyl upholstery; only the cabriolet had leather. The seller has the Kardex – essentially a warranty record – but no photo of it is supplied; in fact, we don’t know if any other documents are with the car.

Black is the most difficult color to paint, requiring a deft touch and perfect bodywork. No mention is made of when or whether this car received a repaint, but it’s easy to see why it has accumulated a few trophies. While I’ve been picking on the advertisement for this car, it’s much harder to pick on the car itself. If it’s anywhere near as nice in person and can be documented as to work performed, originality, and mileage, it is worth twice the current bid.