Vintage Porsche choice: 356 or 911 swb?

They really are two totally different cars. It really all depends on what you are looking for. As old as they both are, I wouldn't say one is necessarily more reliable than the other. As you probably know, at that age it really comes down to the condition of the particular vehicle you are looking at. A 911 will hands down be a faster, better handling and overall sportier car. Pricewise, I don't think there will much of a difference between a restored 356 or older restored 911T. Have you sat in each before? I'm tall and find the 911 to be much more comfortable. I sat in a 356 speedster once and could barely cram myself in there.

Scott

 

I would add one more quick note. Find out who the local Porsche club officers are. Contact one of them and go to one of their get-togethers. You will find plently of 356s, old 911s, and many friendly people who will gladly help guide you through the selection process.

Good luck,

Scott

 

The 911, no doubt. It is a much better car. Hell, a 912 is a much better car than a 356. Frankly, every time I drive a 356, I'm reminded of a 1964 VW that I used to have. Drove that sucker to hell and back, but it wasn't exactly a fun car.

Dale

 

I have a 55 Speedster and a real 73 RS - so the 356 is earlier and the 911 later than your choice - I have fun in both - although there is a significant speed difference.....

If it's out and driving then the 911, if you want to cruise the 356 - that's my take .....

Nick D

 

find a factory sunroof, short wheelbase 67 911S, just a hoot! I drove a 66 911, rebuilt like the 67S with webers, etc. for nine years as my daily driver and it was some of the best sportscar years of my life!!! Here have a look..man I miss that car!!!
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Mike, nice p car.

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Never had a 356.

The 911, is going to have a lot more power. I know, you already know that ! The early 911, has a lot of firsts and lasts.

The only thing I might include, from what I read, the 356 engines have different personalities - A, B, and SC.

 

I like the 1970-73 911 with sunroof -- any of them can be rebuilt to deliver better than 'S' power, and the disc brakes are decent. The 911T is a bargain, and the LWB cars are less likely to send you a$$-first through a hedge. The gearbox was upgraded for 1972-1973, so IMO that was the sweet spot for 911s.

I was in a 1958 Speedster on Monday, probably one of my all time favorites, but as posted above the performance limits wouldn't be something I'd care to explore. And, aside from the ultra-rare Carreras, the Speedster would likely be the most interesting of the 356 series to drive. Nice cruiser, but with OEM drum brakes and 60-75 bhp I could see onramp merges being white knuckle affairs.

 

IMO buy the car that has the best events/club.

 

Early 356's up to a T2 are one of the best looking cars of all time. IMO Porsche never matched the design on that car.

I maybe a different person than most, but looks account for the majority of the fun for me. Honestly, performance should be the least of your worries in a classic car. Again, it's my opinion.

 

Really? Then you've never driven a good 356.

Early 911's are a great drive but I wouldn't say they're better than a 356. It really depends on what you expect from the car and what you want to do with it.

 

How true, Have had a few 911's including race cars, a 912 and couple 928's, and even a 924 and now a 356B. Everyone of them has been unique and had different characteristics and quirks unto it's own, both good and bad. The little 356 is such a cruiser, you can just relax sit back and enjoy the ride or let it show it's stuff in the twisty's. You can even take it to the grocery store and let it sit in the parking lot unattended unlike our Ferrari's. It gets as many thumbs up and pictures taken of it as my Ferrari did and never fails to gather a crowd wherever it goes. 0-60 takes about a week with a strong back wind but who cares, I know a few 356's that have been popped out and lack nothing in the performance department. Like it's been said before it's a completely different experience than a 911 and the values are starting to go through the roof as far as an investment.

 

I notice the comment in Excellence magazine about the 356 in the Market Update section:

"They are very inexpensive to work on."

Their italics, not mine.

You don't hear that about a whole lot of non American older cars.

Makes me consider a 356 for sure as a second older car.

 

Super 90 (356 body) any day, but they're expensive now. In fact, all 356's are expensive now.

 

I would call it for the early 911.

Incidentally, having owned one of the first 1969 911T U.S. Targas from new (and having since owned many others), I would just like to say that any practical difference between the so-called "short wheelbase" and "long wheelbase" in handling is merely urban car legend.

The "long wheelbase" was just extending the rear trailing arms about a couple of inches, and the half shafts were angled back to meet the wheels. It did have the effect of very slightly improving straight line stability (but not by very much) and to very slightly move the weight distribution forward. (again, not by very much)

IMHO, more could be accomplished by adjusting the suspension and alignment, and making correct choices of wheel & tire.

BTW, if anybody out there is still driving one of those early 911 cars with the original carbs (especially the Webers) and that conventional non-electronic points and coil ignition, then my hat is off to them.