http://www.europeancollectables.com/..._inv_id=Po1606

I'm looking for a restoration project to produce a good driving not concours quality car. Your feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Sean

 

I had scanned that one a few times. Probably a good restoration project - But it looks like it actually needs quite a lot of work. I think you could do better than their price but if they dropped the price and you are willing to take it on, maybe. [I just got my first 356 a few weeks ago so I don't claim to be an expert yet.]

 

Hi Sean,

Here's an answer from Holland. You picked a nice car to do. Looking at the pictures is going to cost a lot of work and money to do this one. As soon as the car is stripped it will reveal it's true condition, and most of the times people are dissapointed with the true state of the car. Looking at the pictures you can see the rust coming through at different places. The bottom doens't look very solid to me. And when you have finished the car you don't want to punt in an old engine or an old interior = extra costs. The prices are pretty high for all these parts. So it is going to be expensive. Be prepared.
But when it's finished the result can be very satisfying!!

I would advise you to always take an expert along with you before you decide on buying.

 

Thanks, I'm in the early stages of my quest for the right car to restore. Trying to hone the approach. I'm with you on the rust issue. It's pretty hard to judge the rust issue in pictures, but I'm not looking for a lot of rust work. Right now I'm trying to identify cars to go look at to build an understanding of the market and wait for the right car. My Father was in the market recently and eventually gave up. He just couldn't find the right car so he's building a speedster replica. Just finished the engine...

 

Jim is this the car you bought

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...&highlight=356

if it is, looks like you made out pretty well.

sean

 

Yes, that is the car I bought. Actually, I found it here on rennlist, and hadn't seen the Pelican thread before. I think I got a very fair deal on it. I expect I will be spending a fair amount on it over time. Despite the great appearance (better in digital photos than in person), I already have growing lists - first make sure its very safe and in very sound running condition, probably new wheels and tires (safety and looks), a lot of little bits, and eventually I will want to paint it and redo the upholstery. Mine definitely seems to be a healthy step above the one you are looking at, yet I can still see I could spend a lot to bring it up to really nice driver status (I have no intention to do concours).

Good luck!

 

Jim

Did you look at either the 64 C or 64 SC at European Collectibles?

Sean

 

Sean,

There are three magic letters in the 356 Porsche buyers alphabet:

P P I

If you see a car that you really like at EC, there are many 356 Guru's / Mechanics in Southern Calfornia that will go out (for a price, of course) and throughly check out the car for you. The guys at EC are great and they do not have a problem with people doing PPI's. We've bought and sold cars through EC. We even decided not to buy one car because of a PPI we had done by Peter McNulty and Jack Staggs (PM for phone numbers if you are interested). It was nice, but needed more work than we could handle here in backwoods R Can Saw.

Don't dispair. 356's tend to drop into your lap when you least expect it. That has happened to us twice already when we'd already given up all hope of ever finding what we wanted.

JoAnne

 

If you are looking for a resto candidate, you may want to stick to the open top cars. The amount of money required to do a proper restoration exceeds the value of all the hardtop cars out there. As stated above, that car needs a lot of work, and EC is not known for being low priced--if there is a price on a car that seems too good to be true, it most likely is.

 

Thanks for the help. Believe me, I'm a big believer in PPI's. Saved me a couple of times when I was looking for a 911 SC. The trick is to identify cars halfway across the country that are worth doing a PPI on (I'm in NY and there really aren't many 356 opportunities out here).

I hear you on the amount of work/money/resale value. I have about $35K in my 82 SC that's worth about $16K (and I've still got more to do). I much prefer the look of the coupes to the cabs so I'm looking forward to throwing money away on a coupe. I know I have a cab in my avatar, but the car was my Dad's. He bought it new in 57 and then sold it two years later for an XK120 (yes he regrets it now).

 

Sean...

We understand where you are coming from. We've had several various Porsche's that were cabs (including a Speedster) and we've finally decided that we are just simply Coupe people. 356 Cabs may be where you'll make more $$$ when and if you ever decided to sell (except for a car like Max, of course), but if you love coupes like we do, and are planning on holding on to it, AND most importantly if Coupes make you feel good GO FOR IT!!! (whew.... that was a mouth full!!!!)

JoAnne

 

Sean,
If your budget can stand $30K, you can find a nice Coupe / driver that does not neccessarily call for another $30-50K infusion. If your plan is a nationally competitive concours restoration, that is one (very expensive) thing. A driver w/ a good history that has its rust issues addressed, performs well, can be used regularly & driven cross-country w/ confidence in its safety & reliability is another, and is attainable. Clearly defining one's intent, budget & schedule is as important as a PPI when sensibly embarking upon 356 ownership.

If I were up there, I'd be in contact w/ the 356 Registry clubs & their members in the NE...
http://kammotors.com/scr/
http://www.typ356ne.org/

EC's cars are at the top of the market for good reasons... a) their well-deserved reputation, b) their location (low rust environs), c) their local market (more 356s in CA than anywhere else on the planet & many buyers w/ means there today), d) the overall strength of the 356 market (w/ no signs of slacking). As always in seeking a 356; a plan, circumspection & patience are virtues. best of luck!

 

Thanks for the links Ked...very helpful. I can do $30k, but I'm also looking for a car that I can mix some blood with oil. I don't want a fully done car and I'm not interested in concours. I want to do the work myself (as much as I can). I think the trick is finding where the balance point is. Just joined the 356 registry and I'm in the process of tracking down locals. Had the good fortune to meet one at a track day couple of weeks ago. I'm with you on having a plan, circumspection and patience. I have a little bit of a ticking clock, however, because of a possible work related relocation to the Toronto area next Spring. From what I understand, importing would be cost prohibitive so I'm trying to find one before next Spring.

Sean

 

Sean - never went there, just occasionally looked online.