Rare Karmann Notchback: 1962 Porsche Super 90
There’s no getting around it, this 1962 Porsche 356 B is hardly a barn find, nor is it a field wreck as are so many of the auto topics that I’m drawn to. This Porsche is pristine and is actually special as it has a “Karmann Notchback” body and is a Super 90 version. Located in Paramus, New Jersey, this 356 B is available, here on eBay for a classified ad price of $98,995.
In describing the specificity of this Porsche, the seller says it best by explaining, “The 1962 line (T6 production) was a very different design in that the new T6 notchback coupé body did not start life as a cabriolet, but with its own production design—In essence, part cabriolet rear end design, part T6 coupe windshield frame, unique hard top“. And in this image, you can see the uniqueness of the C-pillar as compared to other 356 versions. I am not a great observer of all things Porsche, but I must admit that this one does stand out, and apart, from other 356’s that I have reviewed. The seller claims that this is one of 687 produced and only one of 55 believed to still exist. The finish is excellent and in its original shade of Ivory but it’s not stated if the finish is the actual born-with paint application.
There’s not much one can say about the black leatherette interior other than it is as excellent as the exterior. The very Germanic gauges are bright and clear and there is even a radio block-off plate installed with the Porsche name emblazoned across its face. It is truly a beautiful environment.
In addition to the rareness of the body, this 356 B has a flat four-cylinder engine referred to as a Super 90. Research indicates that it should be a 101 HP, 1.6-liter powerplant but that’s not stated in the listing. It’s also not stated how this Porsche, complete with a four-speed manual transaxle, performs but there’s no reason to assume that it’s anything less than what one would expect from such a remarkable sports car.
So, this Porsche is not exactly in keeping with our standard Barn Finds fare but then again, variety is the spice of life and mixing things up a bit keeps it fresh. I don’t know about you but a steady diet of over-priced muscle cars and field finds that aren’t recognizable as a car any longer can get a bit monotonous. So please tell me, do discoveries like this rare Porche 356 B interest you or would you prefer to stick with the more typical finds?
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Comments
Neat car however it’s not supercharged. This one has a normally aspirated 1600cc engine with twin Solex carbs. Still runs and sounds good though with its light weight.
The seller got it that wrong?
JO
Yup.
Lazy dealer confusing super carrera for super charged while lifting history from Wikipedia
It isn’t a Carrera either, which would have signified that it had a four-camshaft engine instead of the standard pushrod lump. Super just meant that the engine was in a higher state of tune than the standard 356.
It’s funny that it is a VW subsidiary dealer that doesn’t know what Super means when attached to the back of one of another VW subsidiary’s most iconic models.
And Bob’s your uncle. Exact illustration of why you should post whatever strikes your fancy. It’s the comments.
You’d think a highfalutin business like this placing an ad for something very unusual and just a few dollars shy of 6 figures would get it right in their write up.
Regardless it’s a breathtaking car, and something any car buff appreciative of Colin Chapman’s ideology of light weight w/ big power could admire.
Early ’70s a friend of ours bought one of the notch backs in pretty bad condition, stripped the parts for his Speedster and junked the body. Never thought he should have done that but years later I wound up doing the same thing with a New York Speedster so rusty you could see through it front to back and a “60 Roadster wrecked so bad you couldn’t tell what it was. Difference was both my cars went to rebuild other 356s. Glad to see an example so rare in this condition.
Really not one side view pic so you can really see the notch.
I’m not a P-car guy but the lead image made me look at the auction. The driver’s door looks like shade tree rust repair. The seller included a great many pictures of the car but only the only one showing the complete driver’s door was taken at a distance.
I thought the same A.G., the driver’s door looks swollen! Otherwise, a very nice unsupercharged Porsche 356 B.
A.G.,
As the doors were hand-modified by Karmann, it’s not surprising to see the imperfect outer door shell. I’ve seen photos of a brand new Karmann coupe in the NYC Hoffman showroom, that looked about the same.
The amateur photographer in this case didn’t take into account the angle of the sun [just slightly off vertical], so even the slightest deviation will show up when the photo is developed.
That said, there shouldn’t be a problem when the new owner sees the “less than optimal” Karmann factory handiwork after he takes delivery!
Nice Porsche ..the motor is a Super 90..as in 90 hp. I had a 63 Super 90 Cabriolet and currently have a 56 sunroof coupe with a big bore 912 motor. These cars are quite fast enough and comfortable for long journeys..and beautiful build quality which is why they command top $$. The ” Super Carrera” moniker was the translation of the 911 SC ( Super Carrera) the four cam motor was not supercharged and Porsche never put one on. Judson, I believe , did make them for VW’s and one would probably work on a Porsche but there is no need..good power to weight ratio as is. Hitting 90 the other day in my 56 was quite fast enough when surrounded by big trucks and SUV’s! The 356 SC that followed was the final year for the 356 but it was just an “SC” not Super Carrera.
Buyer Has to beware of more than a poor listing. Porsche did not use bolts like that to mount doors not to mention all the gaps are off! Gaps panels on a Porsche this age should be 3 to 5 mm this thing is a turd!!!!
These early 356 can be a hand full if they are rusty. I know first hand. We did a number of these back in the late 80’s.
Buyer beware! Check production numbers. The 1961 Notchback was a T-5 cabriolet with a steel hardtop welded on. The 1962, was a new design T-6, with integrated top. This could be 1961 production.
Jim, I’m always open to something different on this site.
If muscle cars are the bread and butter then that’s ok as it keeps the clicks ( and advertising revenue) rolling into your site.
If some readers aren’t into muscle cars they can just scroll down to the next one and look into something different from Scotty, Jeff or Whoever.
Keep mixing it up and don’t forget the bikes which are probably more affordable for the dreams of the many…
Thx for your input TBAU!
JO
The air filters present are from the Zenith carbs used on other than Super 90s.
Super 90s had Solex carbs and silver colored oval filters. The filters are not interchangeable, so at the very least this car does not have Super 90 carburetors. No photo of engine number, but I’m gonna take a WAG the engine is not an Super 90.
Had the same feeling as you Chas. Quick check on the case serial numbers will tell the story real quick. I also agree on the left door. Got a lot of time making these cars smooth and this one isn’t as far as the left door goes. All the seams on the 356s were built up lead. If you had a good side hit the only way to repair a door opening was go back to the lead. The gaps on our ’60 race car were huge by the time we got the lead out to fix rust. Cheated and welded in welding rod to fill the gaps and not have to put all the weight back in. Another note.. if the factory ran out of body pieces at the end of a production year they pulled parts from the next generation. Our Convertible D was a ’59 with a ’60 Roadster rear cut with the bulge under the bumper blanked off for the up and coming back up light, which the D never had.
A 100k and twelve stupid pictures of a light, wiper blade, deck lid etc. No profile of a rare notchback?
Its strange, I lived in Germany during the sixties, had two 356 Porsches, a 1960 356B cabrolet 1600 Super, and a 1960 356B Super 90. In 1962 the models changed to 356C cars with a fatter front hood opening that continued until the 911/912 series. This sure looks to be a “C” version or I’m getting old at age 78. Those carbs look like Zenith units to me and not Solex’s from a 1600 Super engine. It would be nice to know the redline on the tach, as there are differences per the engine.
The wide hood actually appeared on the last runs of the Bs. The only B we ever owned was a ’63 coupe with the wide hood. Next two were a ’65 C coupe and then a ’64 C coupe. Might look back up a bit and read my comment about our Convertible D.
This is a T-6 chassis, found on later B series cars and all C series cars. The only difference between this B and a C is the drum brakes.
The car does have a correct tach with the higher red line of the Super 90, but I suspect the engine is a Super 90 engine.
I see the auction no longer claims the car is a Super 90, but continues with the supercharged mistake.