Too Far Gone? 1961 Porsche 356
The Porsche 356 was built from 1948 through 1965 and is considered an iconic ride nowadays. Light in weight, it was a nimble-handling sports car available in coupe and convertible body styles. More than 76,000 of them were built across the years and estimates are that half of them have avoided the crusher. That might be the fate of this project car if its bones aren’t strong enough for a complete restoration. Located in Richmond Hill, Ontario, the seller is fielding offers here on Kijiji rather than setting a floor to bid from. We appreciate Edward S bringing this tip our way.
For its first two years, the 356 was built in Austria (just 50 cars) after which the rest of the series was produced in Germany. The 356 would be Porsche’s first production automobile and would be succeeded by the model 911 in the mid-1960s. There were four generations of the car, and its production year means this labored example is a 356 B (built from 1960-63). In 1961, the coupe was actually a cabriolet body with a roof welded in place, which should have meant the body was stronger.
The seller says this ’61 356 is 99% complete, though from what we can see that percentage may be optimistic. The original engine, which would likely have been a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder, has been replaced by whatever may be in place there today. The bodywork will be extensive, and we’re worried about the condition of the frame given how the driver’s side door is all askew. Rust is plentiful on the light blue Porsche, and we hope there is sufficient metal left when you start grinding away.
This vehicle is “owned” in Canada which we assume means that it’s titled in Ontario. So, U.S. buyers should acquaint themselves with what it might take to get it titled “south of the border.” The 356 has a solid track record on the racing scene, but we don’t know if any of that may have once applied to this particular car. These are wonderful machines when nicely restored, but the time, money, and patience required here may be substantial.
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Comments
Can’t tell much about this one with 4 lousy pictures.
There’s 10 photos on Kijiji, but it doesn’t look any better.
Ok… I’ll say it… special lightweight racing version.
“Who’s the U-Boat Commander?”
This is still a pretty cool feature, Thanks Russ
This is probably on a trailer right now heading to Astoria,NY.
Is that dolphin blue?
These were pretty fun little cars years ago, but there is no way I would pay todays asking prices and certainly not give a plug nickel for this one.
To set a floor to bid from he’d probably first have to weld in a floor!
These days, there is no such thing as a “too far gone” Porsche 356.
And that is a sad fact.Most Porsche owners are a strange lot.
Yes, we are strange only to non- Porsche owners! These cars are more than the sum of their parts. They are ALIVE!
So, you guys are afflicted with the dreaded MOPAR disease, too? The horse traders love that.
Apparently, all car makers of the ’70s prepped &/or sourced their raw sheetmetal like Porsche did in the early ’60s.
Your concerns about the condition of the frame are worse than that, as this is a unibody car. No frame, but rather every piece of sheet metal that has rusted back into the earth was once a critical structural component.
But as Rex Kahrs said, no Porsche 356 is too far gone these days. Somewhere is someone with a sheet metal brake and a cheap welder ready to make ‘er new again.
Wait! It could be worse… those pictures are dated 5/17/2018! It could be in even worse shape here 4 years later!!
Why would someone let a 356 get to this point?
No doubt, this Porsche was owned by that guy that was always going to move it out of the weeds, and start fixing her up. Probably had offers on it for 30 years. But, nope.
I have seen worse examples go for $30,000.00+, where you could stick your arm through the most critical structural parts of the body. Seems the VIN tag is all you need coupled with a lot of aftermarket sheet metal and the work of a skilled body expert. The engines can be brought back from the grave too. Just takes money, skill & time. Toss $60,000.00 at it and you are out the door for a $90,000.00 investment, then turn it around at a sale price of $120,000.00 – $140,000.00. There are enough well to do buyers who will pay anything for a fully restored “bathtub” Porsche.
Pictures 4 years old, some of which look like they were taken while driving by in a much better vehicle. Puts a price of one dollar in the ad, but says no low ballers. OK, two dollars then.
The glimpse of the original interior is promising – this one’s headed for the parts department I’d imagine.
Hi all just looking at this car and how far gone it is I can say I’m glad that someplace a person will restore this car. The part that gets to me is what the costs are to purchase and repair them. The phrase the common man’s sports car was what Mr Porsche had in mind for his cars. In the past I have owned a few of them but now the skyrocketing costs of them I can no longer foresee a time when that will be again. Thanks for letting me rant
Called the number – he’s looking for $38k CA, $30k USD. No dice – I wished him good luck with the sale.
I like what you did there!
Your text reveals that the writer knows little about 356s.
“. In 1961, the coupe was actually a cabriolet body with a roof welded in place…” This is a real coupe, not a Karmann hardtop, which is what you mistakenly described. It also doesn’t have a frame; all 356s were unibodies. It’s also more than “likely” that this car had a 1600cc engine. It’s certain.
These cars are expensive to restore properly, and this is about the least desirable 356 model, so it doesn’t justify much expense. What its like underneath isn’t described, but that’s the first thing any Porsche buyer should look at. So many good 356s remain that it makes sense to buy one that’s already restored, avoid that whole snakepit, and start enjoying it today.
Not too far gone for me. My son and I pick it up next week. Will show pics when its done.
Congrats. Sounds like a good father-son project. Enjoy the journey.