This 1961 Porsche 356 is an assortment of parts at the moment, parked in one of the neatest backyards I’ve ever seen. It comes with a Volkswagen pan and engine, leaving you with a correct all-metal 356 body riding atop a floorpan that is decidedly not factory. However, as the seller points out, the components needed to bring it closer to factory specs are not terribly out of reach price-wise, and should you decide to build an Outlaw-style 356, you can deviate from stock even further. The 356 will come with a variety of new parts in addition to the VW running gear, and is listed here on eBay for $7,995 or best offer.
The shortened VW pan comes with a Type 1 engine and transmission that was running less than a year ago. All of the necessary mechanical components are included, from the keyed ignition to the fuel tank. Note the Mad Max-style setup with the roll hoop and headlights – seems like someone was enjoying this chassis far more with the 356 body off of it! Regardless, this is definitely one solution to building a 356 somewhat affordably, especially if the original pan was completely ravaged by rust. Given it seems the 356 originally came from Massachusetts, that seems highly likely.
We only know this because of the old-school Massachusetts plates included with the sale. The history of this 356 is likely quite interesting, given it now resides in San Diego and the seller notes it was previously “clipped” for easy storage. The seller notes that the re-assembly phase will include some additional bodywork, as the driver’s door bottom is rough and the nose panel has clearly been damaged. However, as he points out, you can buy a complete replacement nose panel for reasonable money. The same goes for the original 356-specific pans if you want to bring this example even closer to factory specifications, along with the longitudinals and rocker panels.
Speaking of, replacement 356 rockers are included with the sale, along with a new-in-the-box set of “Wide Five” wheels and aftermarket exhaust. The CoA is also included and tells us that the 356 wore pretty Ruby Red paint when it was new and in a far more complete state. The path forward on this example is an intriguing one, as you can easily justify an Outlaw build, but putting it back to stock is appealing, too; however, the latter approach will still leave you with a non-original 356 in many ways, including the non-matching replacement engine should a genuine 356 mil be sourced. Given the value of 356s, would restoring it as close to stock condition make sense?
The suggestion that you can just cut the structure out from under the 356 body and drop it on a VW chassis is as far out of reality as you can get. Even as a coupe, the unibody construction is what makes it strong enough to support important things like doors, hoods, etc. You can weld parts on a body a lot faster than trying to figure out how to drop one on a completely different platform. At least if it’s properly repaired you’d have something other than a pile of junk. Seller ought to reduce the price and use the money to take and process more pictures.
Is that how a certificate of authenticity looked in 2001?
If the floorpan did come from my state of Massachusetts as indicated by the vintage plate, the rust that’s showing should warrant closer inspection.
That is an awesome low price to get into something that will be a 356 to all but the purists. I’m in !
The nose of that body looks rougher than a stucco bathtub!! Looks like a gallon of bondo was smeared on it!!! Good luck but for me it’s a definite pass!!!
Greetings All,
That COA looks “questionable” Porsche doesn’t have letthead paper just a stamp?
Why on earth are there cooling vents in the nose?
Half the price and it could be a fun project.
Have the feeling a dune buggy was found and shortened to give its life to become part of someone’s dream and other people’s nightmare.
I like it. You can’t buy a 356 replica for that kind of money. That piece of paper will be enough for many to call it a “real” 356. How similar is a period correct beetle chassis from a 356 anyway? Add the correct pans and maybe you are getting closer by the pound. And then add any high performance beetle engine and you’re in business!
Robert… Maybe those vents were to accommodate water cooled engines like the later VW Vanagans or Subarus.
Greetings All,
BobHess, I suppose. Just wonder what type of person likes a marque and model enough to purchase a replica only to modify it in such a way as EVERYONE knows something is different?