Surprising Interest: 1956 Porsche 356A

The desirability of the Porsche 356A means that they typically generate plenty of interest when they hit the market. However, this 1956 example springs a surprise, because the auction action has defied the odds. The images included in this article are the best the seller supplies, and their condition and history descriptions are nonexistent. That hasn’t dampened enthusiasm, with the car receiving seventeen bids since the seller listed it here on eBay in Memphis, Tennessee. That has pushed the price to $24,000, which is below the reserve.

Porsche introduced the 356A in late 1955 as an update to its existing 356. The company didn’t reinvent the wheel, although there were a few welcome changes below the surface. This classic left the line in 1956, and with the seller’s description limited to a few minor details, their images provide the best chance to assess its condition. The overall condition of the paint suggests that someone may have refreshed this Porsche at some point, and the Bondo falling from the front fender indicates the repaint may have been due to minor accident damage. The remaining panels are straight, but a high-end restoration would entail stripping the Porsche to bare metal to eliminate any hidden problems. The underside shots reveal surface corrosion, although I only spotted one small area of penetrating rust. The front bumper is missing, but most of the trim is intact.

I tend to be careful with cars like this Porsche because the company offered 1956 buyers several engine options that look visually similar. However, decoding the engine block number confirms it is this car’s rear-mounted air-cooled four is the 1,582cc version that delivered 59hp and 81 ft/lbs of torque in its prime. All versions of the 356A sent their power to the road via a four-speed manual transaxle, and, in its prime, this Porsche would have hit a factory-claimed 99mph. The mysteries continue with this classic because the seller doesn’t state whether the engine turns, let alone runs. The bulletproof nature of these motors suggests revival may be possible, though factoring in a mechanical rebuild into the restoration budget would be wise.

The seller provides several interior images in their listing, and a review of them confirms that it is missing only a couple of small items, such as handles and switch knobs. Crucial components like the seats and dash are intact, but this is another aspect of the Porsche that requires copious amounts of TLC. Kits to recapture its former glory are available, but they typically retail for over $5,000. That’s a lot of money, but if this 356A presents perfectly following its restoration, it could represent a great return on that investment.

Classics like this 1956 Porsche 356A invariably leave me scratching my head. The car’s desirability is undeniable, with pristine examples often commanding six-figure sale prices. My frustration is that the seller’s information is so limited, and the images are undeniably substandard. They have done nothing to effectively “sell” this car. Having said that, the Watch List tally of fifty is pretty respectable. The 24-hour Listing View figures also suggest that this Porsche has turned a few heads. Would you consider pursuing it further, or does the listing raise more questions than answers?