BF Auction: 1961 Porsche 356B T5 Coupe
- Seller: Jonas D
- Location: Eagle, Idaho
- Mileage: 20512 Shown
- Chassis #: 112501
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 1600 SC Flat-Four
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
We are helping a friend here in Idaho find new homes for their Porsche projects. You may have already seen the 356B shell we are auctioning for them; if not, you can find it here. Next up is this 1961 Porsche 356B T5 Coupe. It’s a project, but it’s complete. They have owned it for many years, but due to declining health, they have concluded that they will never be able to restore it. Rather than let it sit, they have asked us to auction it so that a Barn Finds Reader can complete it!
The 356 was Porsche’s first production vehicle, and it proved so popular that it was in production from 1948 until 1964. While not as powerful or advanced as the 911 that replaced it, the 356 proved dependable and agile. Today, collectors seek these cars out as they are fun to drive, easy to work on, have lots of racing history, and are welcome at various events.
Rust is admittedly an issue here, as it is with many of these cars. It will need a complete restoration, but replacement metal is available to repair all of the problem areas. Given their popularity and value, parts supply is healthy, so bringing this car back to top condition is doable.
The interior is complete but needs restoration. All the major components are present, which will save considerable money over buying new replacements. While the goal with the 356 was very different from that of its cousin, the VW Beetle, it’s nearly as simple and sparse on the inside. Porsche equipped these cars with just the needed features, as anything not necessary to make it functional just added weight. When you have less than 100 horsepower on tap, every pound counts.
The engine is currently out of the car, but an engine is included. The seller believes this engine is a 1600 SC, which would have come from a later car. While number matching is preferred, the 1600 SC is desirable as it’s the most powerful pushrod engine offered in the 356. It was rated at 95 horsepower, a welcome bump in performance over the 75 horsepower provided by the 1600 Super.
This 356 is a big project, but air-cooled Porsche values are holding strong. More importantly, once completed, it will be a fun sports car to drive. The question is, would you restore it to its original state or turn it into an outlaw? If you have any questions for the seller, please leave them in the comments. And if you need any additional photos, let us know!
Bid On This Auction
Geoff bid $27,000.00 2024-09-13 11:31:58
Jordan r bid $26,000.00 2024-09-13 11:30:15- Geoffbid $25,500.00 2024-09-13 11:28:41
Michaeljson bid $20,000.00 2024-09-13 07:45:37- Geoff bid $18,500.00 2024-09-12 22:14:13
Alexander1bid $9,500.00 2024-09-12 15:19:52
Will bid $8,700.00 2024-09-10 19:14:03
Gart bid $6,500.00 2024-09-10 06:26:12
DCbid $6,000.00 2024-09-09 14:36:37- Gart bid $5,500.00 2024-09-07 15:06:51
BlisterEm bid $5,000.00 2024-09-06 10:51:34
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Comments
I have no idea what this car is worth and I think why would I even care? Then you look at it and you imagine how cool it is and could be, you whole perception changes and you are in total lust!
Owned a bunch of them and loved them all. BTW, the 356s went through ’65. The 911 was introduced the same year.
Love the car but love my fat wallet more. I know I am speaking heresy, but I would purchase a 356 replica and drive off into the sunset with my wallet mostly intact.
Good thought, but it’s not the same. A fake Rolex is cheaper but would you really want one?
Although these are simple cars, they are over most guys heads who are used to wrenching on American classics. This car will need alot of work and experienced mechanics to put back together. A guy who owns a shop and has his own mechanics may be able to complete it, and they better have some good shop manuals. I owned a 71 911T and she was survivor and driver and lots of fun to drive.
I would love to have this in my shop. This would be the perfect project to finish just in time for me to retire and enjoy driving it.
These are cool cars that we used to be able to buy for a grand in great shape. When they now tip the scale at WAY over 100 grand and parts are going for stupid money, that puts them in the collector/auto show category and much too valuable to use as a daily driver. My favorite is the 356A Speedster but their prices make the coupes look “reasonable”. And then you have to deal with the rust issue and the not so powerful engine. I decided to put 40 grand into a Beck Speedster replica with Rancho tranny and CB Performance 2332 mill. Well built, no rust, and will easily run an original into the weeds………..and not the end of the world if it gets wrecked. But I’m certainly not telling anyone else how to pend their money.
Like the way you think. Owned two Speedsters in the early ’80s, both projects, and sold both of them for $15,000 at a huge profit. Buyer turned and sold them to a shop in Germany for $30,000. Prices now on the moon which makes nice cars like the Becks worth the money and fun.
Even going back 25 years, I don’t remember ever being able to buy any Porsche 356 in decent shape for only $1000. I paid $9500 for a driver survivor 911T in 2004 and selling it for $10k, after enjoying her for 5 years. The guys with the 356s, knew what they had even 25 years ago.
I’m 74. I’m talking late1960’s early 1970’s…………$1000 bought you a solid 356A coupe.
Same time frame Russel. 1969 bought a ’59 coupe with recent servicing, full history and no rust for $900. was our daily driver for years including an Air Force transfer from Florida to Nevada. Towed our ’57 Cabriolet with it when we went.
I can’t remember even 25 yrs ago, any seller selling a Porsche 356 for only $1000. Even back then the Porsche collectors knew what they had, and never gave them away for nothing. I paid $9500 for a dri er 911T in 2000, drove it for 5 years and sold it for the same price. Worth every penny.
That’s about right, 50 years ago you could have bought just about any car for dirt cheap. Compared to today. But by the Late 70s and early, to mid 80s, 356 Porsche guys still knew what they had, and asked a premium price for them.
A thousand bucks was still a lot of money fifty years ago guys.
I have done a few full restorations on these ( even an early beehive A ) always to stock spec.
But my last build for a customer. We built an Outlaw, and it turned out awsome lowered, GT wheel spacers, handmade aluminum bomber seats. And as the stock motor had been power washed years ago. So was full of water, and needed a full rebuild. So owner asked can we hop it up a bit to get more than 65hp? I said sure we can. But as a stock rebuild nowdays can cost $6k+ and you run the risk of blowing your motor up. Why dont we put that on a shelf. And buy a brand new VW big hot rod motor. So for a third of the cost got a 2332 cc 175hp with center fan shroud, with a 6 month warrenty. And it is awsome.
To bad you can not pics here.
I had a 1962 356 B 1600 Super Beck I brought home from Germany in 1967 . Sure wished I had her back now. Not because of how much money it would be worth, but the times I lived then. I was 23 and had no idea what I was going to do after serving my country. I’m headed, I hope, to 81 and still don’t know what I’m going to do. Sure is great to wake up in a new world every day!
Hi – been on the lookout for one of these but price is usually a killer. Maybe this one and lots of time, patience and TLC might be affordable.
My question to the seller is whether he would work with me to import the vehicle back to Germany (where I reside). I have imported a non runner before and it worked fine – the engine would have to be mounted in the engine compartment for transport but of course not connected or running. I would organize the transport etc.
Best regards, Paul
Shipping would be entirely up to you but I’m sure it would be fine as long as the car doesn’t have to sit too long waiting to be picked up.
If I had that midlife crisis thing again to have a Porsche, I would at least get one with the engine in the car and running and stopping. It may be more money, but also less headaches and expense finishing it. They are very fun to drive. Also 911s. I had my midlife crisis 10 years ago.
I guess I’ve been going through a midlife crisis since I was about 14. I’m still making crazy car decisions 30 years later!
You make me feel good Jesse. When we picked up the Bugeye Sprite we are now rebuilding we topped 80 vehicles so far from the first car Crosley at 13. They just keep following me home.
Hi everyone, given the pedigree of this beautiful 356, and the investment needed to buy it and restore it…. I was wondering if the seller could provide a little more information? 1. Why was motor removed? Does it need a simple service? New gaskets? A complete rebuild? Or the work required is unknown?
2. The photos indicate replacement of the entire front pan. But difficult to see condition of the remaining floor, inner rockers, or torx tube areas. Could the seller provide some more insight into these areas? Many Thanks JDB.
We dont have all that information because the car has been parked for a long time. The floors, at the bare minimum, will need to be replaced.
One final question … are any of the parts missing in photos included with sale? Ie: Rear bumper? Any hub caps? Radio? Luggage rack? anything else? Owners manual, history, documents, etc? Thanks JDB
There might be a few more parts that go with the car, but plan on just what’s in the photos.
Is the engine turning over and is there a transmission coming with the car?
We have not confirmed if the engine will turn over, but the transmission is still in the car.
Good Afternoon,
i am Porsche Mechanic and look for such Car, for a shipping Quote to Germany i have to ask, is the Car rolling ? and is it possible to fix the engine
that the car could be trucked to labour and then to Germany ?
You have another one on the Photos is it also available ?
The car rolls, but the buyer will be responsible for all the shipping arrangments.
Another from Idaho? They’re growing like potato’s up there!
Both of the 356s were from the same seller.