Over the last five to seven years, the value of many different car models has skyrocketed, and it is interesting to speculate on why this is and which models will be next. Remember when Gen 1 Broncos were affordable? Our post centers on another one of these models that has become very valuable in the last few years: a 1956 type 1 (T1) Porsche 356. This project is up for sale in Yucaipa, CA, with a “Buy It Now” price of $35,000 on eBay. But the question is: Is this car too far gone for restoration?
The 1956 Porsche 356 is part of the Pre-A series and is a very sought-after model due to its place in Porsche’s history. The body’s sleek, timeless design has made the 356 an enduring classic, one of the main reasons they cost so much money now. There was a time when 356s were considered more of a fancy VW than a legitimate blue-chip sportscar. But now, the market has finally realized how special these cars are, and the prices reflect this.
One aspect that makes a 356 an excellent car for a classic car enthusiast is that it is mechanically straightforward. Since it shares the same DNA as Volkswagen, many of the same engineering designs are present, meaning anyone with a modicum of mechanical ability can work on these cars. However, parts command a premium because of the Porsche name. These cars are great drivers, too, due to their low weight and aerodynamic body. But because of the sinuous curves of this aerodynamic body, most panel repairs would require a steep learning curve if you are not a seasoned body man.
Of course, there is an obvious answer to the question posited in the first paragraph: “No!” If your pocketbook is deep enough, many wonderful restoration shops could restore this rusty beauty and bring it back to life. So then the question is, how would you restore this car? Would you find a correct 1956 block and transaxle and restore it to how it was built when it rolled off the factory floor? Or would you do a mechanical restoration, fix the structural components of the body, and drive and enjoy it? I would also consider shipping it to Rod Emory’s shop, have him build one of his outlaws, and carve up as many mountain roads and racetracks as possible! Check out this Porsche here on eBay.
Have welded up worse but at the asking price there’s no sense even wanting to take it home. This one looks like it was just pulled out of the Pacific ocean.
sweet dreams seller.
Porsche owners love these projects
This is an A not a pre A and will be snapped up at that price..
The pre A had the 4 taillights before the A came in ’57. We had an early ’57 Cabriolet that had the 4 taillights. They transitioned into the tear drops toward the middle of ’57. Liked the looks of the teardrops so much I changed to them in the restoration process. Car was not part of the A series. Porsche had a tendency to use up previous model parts on new series. Our ’59 Convertible D had a ’60 roadster tail end on it with the bulge for the first year center backup light.
Absolutely will be restored.
I had a ‘56 1500GS Carrera coupe. The motor was in pieces when I bought it. The original owner put a VW motor in it. It bolted right in. 40 hp barely got it going. When the 4 cam motor got back in, it was a fire-breathing beast!
$35,000 to $250,000!!!
Its an early “Pre-A” and someone will save it! And we have all see them a lot worse off than this one, too, for crazy money.
Get it driving and Wayne Carini could enter it in next year’s Tour D’Lemons.
This was his and Dodi’s entry this year, a ’77 trashed 911.
https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/g61915005/concours-dlemons-pebble-beach-2024/?slide=1
Going by the chassis number, this is indeed, as the seller calls it, an early 1956 356A, not a 356. The dash design, etc. verify that. The engine number falls into a gap in the Tech Specs booklet, so it could be a 1300, a 1500, or even a 1600.
There’s nothing especially rare or desirable about a ’56. It comes from the period when Porsche was kicking itself into second gear and really ramping up production and U.S. sales. There’s no shortage of 356A coupes.
If you buy it for $35,000 and restore it properly (key word) for well over $100,000, you’ll have a very nice $90-100,000 car. Do the math. Better to buy one that’s already done.
You might be right Frank. We owned 24 356s and some of the numbers on the bodies didn’t make any sense at all. Haven’t checked my books to totally back up my comments. Agree on buying one already done vs. this one.
For that money I would just as soon buy a kit-replicar on a VW frame. I mean, how do you weld replacement metal into that rusty body?
Never understood why these have become so ridiculously expensively. Of all the overblown cars to have been hiked in price over the last 15 years, these win the crown!
Artyparty has obviously never driven a 356…