ahrma439

I have just joined the forum and am interested in a 365 C. My question is: how does one determine a reasonable price? I have seen cars selling for anywhere from $20,000 for a "fixer upper" to over $800,000 for cars that must have been owned by James Dean's little brother.

Is it still possible to buy a 64 0r 65 365 coupe for $50,000 to 75,000.

RJT

http://www.europeancollectibles.com/...che-356c-coupe

DanielJ

A good start to post here.

Join 356 Registry.

Join your local 356 group.

Join PCA.

Usually best to buy from within these groups. If not, would be prudent to become friends with someone that knows these cars very well.

A good idea too to post your general location.

Good cars are still out there, so are cars with a ton of issues.

doublecabmel

you're in the kill zone

zoomie50

Prices of 356C depend on condition. and whether numbers matching or not. A decent driver with a 912 engine can be found for 50K or so easily. Will it be perfect? No If you want perfect and numbers matching then North of 70K is realistic. If you want a driver do NOT buy a freshly painted car unless it was done and documented by a shop that does 356s. There have been a lot of lipstick on a pig restorations by shops that no nothing about 356s in the last few years. A 356 with 10-20 year old paint that still looks good means the bodywork was at least done decently. The cost of doing the body right is more than it costs to rebuild both engine and transmission. Can you do some work yourself? Find a neglected but solid car with 20 year old tires and suspension. Put new tires, shocks and sway bar bushings on it for $500 and have a nice driving 356. If you know nothing about 356s then join 356 Registry and local group and meet people. The best deals are local cars where owner is now too old or dies. I have a numbers matching 65C that I totally restored. Not for sale but North of 70K for sure. I also have a 65 Outlaw that I bought last October that had 24 year old tires, solid suspension bushings, and worn out shocks all of which were on the car when owned as a street car by an old 356 racer for 24 years. Transmission just rebuilt in April before I bought it. 912 Skirmants rebuilt engine with 1720 kit. Ran well but tried to knock your fillings loose when driven. Bought it below your bottom figure. Replaced tires shocks and bushings-all easily done. Also replaced shifter bushings which PO didn't pay for. It now starts, runs, shifts like a good 356 should. And because of the engine has about 30% more power than a stock C engine. And I have less in the car than your low figure.

zoomie50

I also know of a 62B that has had complete C brake conversion and a 912 engine. Was used for years as a track car but street legal. Has a few needs including tired paint and non original seats. Seller asking 40K.

140.6er

I too am looking for a solid driver 356 C in the 40s. I just want to drive the heck out of it but also slowly restore over time.

zoomie50

Then check out the car I referenced above. A 62 with C disc brake conversion. It is in Minneapolis Craigslist and other places. Asking price is 40K Has straight racing exhaust but all original heater and exhaust components come with it. Low mileage rebuild on a 912 engine. Car is actually located in Rochester ,Minnesota. Stop at the Mayo Clinic while you are there:>)

zoomie50

Here is the car I would buy, not a C but very nice. http://www.ebay.com/itm/132177611513...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT An older well done restoration is cheaper than buying a decent car and restoring it yourself. My 1st 356 was a 63. I have 65 Cs now but driving differences are minimal.

140.6er

Darn, I missed that one. Took your advice and joined 356 Registry and am trying to reach out on Long Island to 356 owners to do this search correctly.

zoomie50

Broaden your horizon. Although some very nice cars are in the Northeast almost 1/2 of all 356s sold in the USA were sold in California. Don't be afraid to look at cars in other areas.

140.6er

Will do, thanks

Big Al HURT123

I spoke the seller of the 356 and it was great car and I passed for some stupid reason at 55! Glad to see he got more. Still looking for the right one.

140.6er

It's an interesting situation with that '63 C from Quebec. That EBay deal fell through and I think he ended up selling to some guy in Montreal who shipped it overseas.

zoomie50

63 T6B not a C but was the deal of the year so far.