The 356 was the predecessor to the iconic Porsche 911. Styling cues are definitely carried across the models that followed and these cars are the origin of the legendary cars that came after. The 356B raised the position of the headlights from the 356A which carried onto the 911 styling later. This example is a single-owner car which is rare for a car of its age. This 356B has 93k miles and is listed on craigslist for $69k in Rancho Cordova, California.
The exterior of the car has been repainted in Slate Grey which was its original color. The paint appears to be in great condition and is said to be rust-free. No blemishes are apparent. The wheels appear to be factory and are in great condition if they are original.
The interior is in decent condition though the seats have seen better days. The car appears to have the desired coco mats. The seller doesn’t note whether or not all gauges work but if they do this is an incredibly well-kept 356B.
A 1600cc pushrod flat-four sends power to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission. The engine is said to be in good condition and starts and drives. The transmission and engine are both original. This 1963 Porsche 356 presents the rare opportunity to own a well cared for single owner early Porsche. The car needs some attention in the interior but other than that is ready to enjoy on the backroads. With 93k miles it has been driven enough to have had the older parts replaced for maintenance and should have lots of life left in it. If you are an avid Porsche collector or just someone interested in owning a fairly rare and very unique ’60s car this is for you. If you want to call this 356B your own contact the owner on craigslist before it’s gone.
Nice original example. Repair the interior pieces, maybe a set of the slightly wider chrome wheels and you have a great looking piece of history.
Always really wanted a 356 coupe. With me getting long in the tooth, it may be time to get one as my last auto hurrah. It’s hard to justify the price, but that seems to be the case with all desirable car models, new or classic. Is it to try capturing a time past, sure why not and truth be told, any car you buy as you approach 75 should be the model of your dreams. What say yee BFers? Isn’t this why we love this site? Live the dream.
At 71, this thinking led me to buy an AMC Pacer…😉
@On and On
Life moves all too quickly. So, if this car sets you back $100 K all in, what’s the risk? If the market declines as much as 25%, it’s still worth $75K in the future. That means worst case your dream cost you $25K. That’s $25K for hopefully years of enjoyment. Again, $25K is worst case and unlikely. More likely these stay highly desireable and you lose nothing.
IMO, time for you to pull the trigger on one of these. Just be sure to buy quality. Have a Porsche club expert inspect any car you really like. BTW, I’m 74 and have already minded my own advice, and never regretted it for one minute.
I like the way you think. Thank you John. Did you buy a Porsche by chance? I’m also considering a 912, it’s basically a 911 with a 356 engine.
@On and On,
Nope, now I must confess.
First was a 1959 Jaguar XK150S that I worked up to concours level (I wouldn’t recommend taking anything to that level because then it’s a trailer queen.). Then a 1960 Jaguar Mark IX saloon.Then a 1963 Corvette split window. Then a 1970 AAR Cuda. Then a 1969 Mustang Mach1 390, Then a 1940 International D2 half ton pickup. In my defense, I do virtually all my own work. Some have gained good value, others lost, others flat. Overall probably flat, but I’ve had 10 years of great enjoyment so far. If I needed to, I could sell them all and have no regrets. I’m just their current caretaker.
I do fantasize from time to time about a 356 repro built on a VW chassis. Seem to be some nice ones periodically on BaT for around $50 K.
Good luck.
The 356 repro is still a VW! Why not just buy a Beetle?
I like that 1940 Inter
Never understood the lure. Sure, its obviously prettier then the VW Bug, has a bit more oomph, but is it really worth quintuple the price? (back when new) In 1963 if I had the means, a new Stingray is how I would go, and for less cash to. More comfortable, much better performance and handling, plus useable heat and air. Fixable in any town in America. Perhaps the salesmen were selling something beyond the driving experience.
I got to drive my uncles 356 through the Oakland/Berkeley hills at 18 in 1978. Will never forget that drive. You either get it or you don’t.
As they say, if you have to ask……..
Corvettes to Porsches are apples to oranges. As are Volkswagens to Porsches, especially the early years. While I agree, a Karman Ghia is a poor man’s 356 Porsche, there’s still no comparison.
I wish every person that comments a “Porsche is just an overpriced Volkswagen” would/could drive one of each. Then we could hopefully silence this inane regurgitated comment.
Dougie, it’s true one either gets it or they don’t about old Porsches. I suggest we quit trying to change their thinking. Our beloved cars cost enough now without attempting to recruit more followers who will drive prices up even further.
@On and On,
On 912’s, as you probably know, they used to be “the poor man’s” 911 and were reasonably priced until about 4 years ago. Then people started to figure out that they could overbore and soup up the 4 cylinder to give 6 cylinder like performance all with the 200lb weight savings. Since then, IMO 912’s have become crazy priced. I think the gentleman Bob Hess who regularly comments here, seems to have much Porsche knowledge and might have some good insights.
After using Porsches for daily drivers and long haul travelers for 25 years I’m over run with insights. Dependable, fun, and in some cases fast. 14 of the cars in that period were 356s which included 2 race cars, one Cabriolet, two roadsters and various year coupes. Loved all of them and drove the wheels off them with the exception of a race car which turned into a show car. It’s now racing in Vintage races on the west coast. If you find one you like, go drive it and see how you like it.
If not too rusty, these things are like gold. Solid, good looking, sporty. What more could you ask? They are much more than the sum of their parts. I’ve had four of various types. A curse upon those who refer to them as glorified VW!s!
In 1969 I had talked my mother into buying a new BMW 2002, or so I had thought. When she came home from work that day she was driving a new BMW 1600. Close enough. When it came time for it’s first service, the salesman let her have a 1965 356 Cabriolet. And this was in the dead of winter in New Hampshire. She ended up keeping it for almost a week as the BMW needed a new camshaft. I was too young to drive the Porsche but I did get a lot of miles in the passenger seat.
I love Porsches as much as Chevies, had a 82 911 around 1996, got it for $8k since it had 160k miles. I remember before that a local guy in Indiana had a 356 coupe for $2500, that’s when the 4 cyl wasn’t desirable. I’ve had 944s as well, and project 914/928 that I never finished. I recently traded a 64 Ghia and 61 Bug for a replica 356 Speedster, it was a long term project of a guy who passed away a while back, quite modified, but didn’t come with the 200hp engine he set it up for. It appears to be a Intermechanicca kit, this one I will finish, or at least get running, I have a rebuilt 1776cc I was going to put in the Ghia.
awesome ride chuck foster!!!!! I see you are from Indiana; I seem to remember hearing my uncle Eric tell many stories that involved a chuck foster car fanatic. might that be you lol?! unfortunately for us we won’t get to see your finished product on here or any of the cool rides you’ve had in the past.
I owned an outlaw 1964 356SC. I currently own a 1965 L79 Corvette coupe. Love them both. Are they different cars absolutely, but at the heart they are both sports cars that want to be driven. At the same time as the 356, I owned a 1962 MGA MkII. Similar horsepower and weight as the 356. But completely different cars. The MGA was a great cruiser with awesome sound, but the Porsche was just so much more nimble and ready to rev. Until you drive a nice 356 (higher horsepower SC preferred) you will never understand it.
Great reminiscences guys, but how about this car? It’s probably not the original owner from reading the CL ad. And what engine is in it? Older 356s had Normal, Super, and Suoer 90 options; I’m not sure about later models.
And to jump on the bandwagon, in the late 60s I bought a real and rusty Speedster- a Super- from a friend for $400. He made me promise to sell it back to him if I ever got rid of it. I drove the wheels off it for a year, then sold it back to him- for $400.
awesome ride chuck foster!!!!! I see you are from Indiana; I seem to remember hearing my uncle Eric tell many stories that involved a chuck foster car fanatic. might that be you lol?! unfortunately for us we won’t get to see your finished product on here or any of the cool rides you’ve had in the past.
I’d love to have one of these!!!! Not knowing a whole lot about Porsches and only going by prices I see elsewhere this looks to be reasonably priced. now all I need to do is come up with 69,000 dollars. Oh well if this one is out of reach, I’d settle for a really nice 914 lol.