just looking for a "general" value... barn find, been sitting, engine is free and owner claims it will run. All there, all trim, interior. No major dents or rust. just dont know if its a $5k car or a $20k car. I've seen drivers in the $17-25k range so i'd think that one I cant drive home comes in under that... but by how much? any input?
By no means am I an authority of 356's, but even a mediocre 64 should bring $30K with a super clean example north of $50K. You mentioned that the engine is free. Is it actually in the car? If not, do the numbers match? Is it even a 64 engine, etc? The question you need to ask yourself is whether the owner knows what its worth. Sounds like you might be able to get it for a song & turn a profit. Start with an insulting lowball offer as I have a feeling you'll be digging deep into your pockets to bring it back to life.
Consider if its only worth $30-$50k, you will absolutely spend that much getting this car up to snuff. I'd say shoot him an offer for $5k and would not spend a dime over $6k.
The value of a non-Carrera 356 coupe is mostly in the integrity of the body. The mechanicals aren't terribly expensive to restore. I would certainly check the floor pan, longitudinals (the panels that the jack spurs are welded to on either side) and door bottoms -- a 356 with an intact original floor is a survivor. The longitudinals are a huge structural part of the car, and not all that easy to replace, so that might separate a parts car from a driver/project. Battery trays almost always rust but are easy to replace, as long as rust hasn't eaten the area around it. A matching numbers engine is nice to have -- if the owner has a Certificate of Authenticity or copy of the Kardex you can confirm. A '64 coupe is toward the lower end of the 356 'collectible hierarchy' so the effect of non-matching numbers isn't world-ending. On the plus side, if it really is a barn find, you may have some valuable original trim bits, tools, etc. It may also have escaped decades of Bondo repair and be an honest original car, which makes for a better starting point for a restoration. If you have a chance to read Jim Schrager's book on Porsche 356s, it's a good starting point and has photos of what to inspect. As to value, if the longitudinals, floors, doors and closing panels (check wheel wells) are solid, $20K-$30K would be my guess. Sunroofs add value and would be at the higher end.
Rust is the key...so check to see the rust status before assigning a value. If I car is really nice with all the rust taken care or etc it could be a 40+ car. I personally like the C-series (gee I wonder why) mostly because they are great drivers with the disk brakes etc.
I'll be going back to take a much closer look at the car and poke around to see if I can find an rust. i know there is really no such thing as a "rust free" 356, and this one did indeed get driven when it was new, so I'm sure it got wet more than once, and from what I understand about 356 that means there IS rust somewhere. Its just a matter of how much. Its really has been in a garage for a looooooong time, so hopefully its minimal/easily repairable. I'd be looking to bring it back to just a driver status. Get it running and safe to drive. Take care of a few little cosmetic things and just enjoy it. danke mucho on the help.
I guess I blew it about 10 years ago when I passed on a 1964 SC coupe for under $20K. It was maybe a 2- or 3+ car. Everything was there. The owner was selling because he had gotten hit riding a bicycle and couldn't even close his fist. I passed after a test drive. It reminded too much of a certain 1964 VW I had back in my younger days that I drove to hell and back, and then drove it to a VW heaven in the middle of Utah where it died. Some of us are just not vintage guys. Dale
yeah... I'm not interested in an involved project to HAVE a 356. But if I can get one that doesnt have a TON of needs, can be made into a safe/fun driver and at least wont cost me anything in the long run (can easily recoup my costs at time of sale)... I'm in. I dont dare to dream of actually MAKING money off the experience, but if I can drive and enjoy one for a while and not get hurt... I'd do that.
Alan, There are many variables as to value in a 356. I do not consider myself an expert, but am extremely knowledgeable as to the ins and out of the 356's. We just finished an extensive restoration of a '60 S90 coupe. I also live in Carmichael, CA and am willing to talk with you regarding this car and even take a look at it with you if you desire. Don't worry, I am not looking for another one for myself. The Porsche 356 is a fun car to drive and own. It can also be a blue-chip investment car. However, it is also possible to get financially buried in one that has too many needs. The local 356 club is very active and there is lots of local, reasonably priced, professional help available. You can email me at [email protected]. Jim
I do not know your plans. It takes a lot of money, to completely restore a 356 to mint condition. If that is your goal, it is much less money, to simply buy a restored car. If you want a driver, it is a different story.
not looking to restore... just to have a nice driver and not end up underwater. I've just stumbled on this one.. cars find me. I'm really not in the market for a 356, but if it can be had cheaply, I can do a little work on it, own/drive it for a while and end up at least breaking even at the end of the day... I'm in. Jim... email comin yer way!!!
Great way to look at it. Keep us posted and if you do end up getting it...shoot me a PM if it has a working original radio/speakers (only if you don't want them anylonger)
