1960 B coupe

The good:
One owner
Lots of records/reciepts
Full factory original manuals
Harry Pellow's books
ALL ORIGINAL parts, 6v electrical system
Driven regularly and maintained pretty well - not concours - but respectable
Good paint, decent interior (silver on red)

The bad:
Rust bubbles forming on lower door skins
Battery tray is pretty rusted (big surprise)
Engine bay needs a good sprucing up
Carpet worn/sun bleached in areas


I am supposed to go look at it in detail sometime this week, I have looked it over briefly once before though. It is being offered to me for sale and I would really like to have it if I can swing a deal. Based on what I listed above - what would be a rough reasonable selling price?

 

Daniel, knowing the engine type (N or S?) & whether it is #s matching (does he have Kardex or CoA?) helps - all the manuals are nice & indicators of the owner's attention, but don't determine value or whether you should buy it - originality & completeness is a definite plus. Accident history / repaint-originality (silver/red is a great combo) / engine rebuild are important matters. Detailed inspection for hidden rust is called for, what you have noted is no big deal if that is all that is there (which would be a pleasant suprise). A new square-weave carpet is also no problem to source, though finding an experienced installer may be. I'd expect it to be low to mid $20s on the private market if it doesn't need a floorpan or body panels & the drivetrain checks out - asking price at a specialty dealer might be around $30K. Sounds like an opportunity to get into a 356 driver. Good luck!

 

Yeah, I need to check on the floorpans, longitudinal, close-outs, etc......

I couldn't see any signs of damage history on my quick inspection, but I will look closer when I go back. If I was a betting man, I would say that the engine is original and never rebuilt from the looks of it. Anyways, I will have more info and pictures soon. Thanks for the help so far!

 

A BT5 coupe with visible rust does sound between $10 and $15K to me...although, as Ked said, you need more data to give a better guess...

PS. Very important to check for structural rust...this is really major and could bury you into a bad car...

 

here are a few on ebay that might be useful for comparison, at least to see how the market is behaving, despite the fact they are later T6 models. this time of year, w/ the Holidays upon us & the housing market effecting available "play money", Pedro's estimates are not out-of-line. each car must be evaluated individually & in detail (an ind PPI is always advisable). while the one owner status means alot in terms of accurate knowledge of its history, it could cost $5K or more to address the known rust & engine detailing... then there are always suprises...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MakeTrack=true

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1964-...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1962-...QQcmdZViewItem

 

Daniel,

Having recently sold a similar car to the one you are describing I would put the price more in line with Pedro's estimate than Ked's. Of course, all the disclaimers are valid, rust, matching numbers, type of engine, etc. Being a one owner and with all the documentation does add a premium. Give us a bit more info on the condition and we'll try to 'adjust' the 'estimates'.
Keep in mind that, for the benefit of the buyer, T5 Coupes are at the bottom of the 356 pyramid just a 'notch' above the notchbacks. At the right price it could be quite a purchase (in all honesty I already miss my B coupe).

 

Personally, I like the T-5 - but I will certainly update this thread as soon as I get a chance to crawl over/under the car in detail.......

 

T5 Coupes are "at the bottom of the 356 pyramid" on values but there is nothing wrong with them, and I am really enjoying mine that I got from Andres. (Sorry you miss her so much, Andres, but I am taking good care of her!). I think Pedro's price range is more realistic from what I have seen, and I've been watching the market closely since I bought mine the end of July (not that I have any intention to sell, probably ever!).

Here's a pic of your former beauty, Andres:

 

Daniel - Suggest you hunt through the 356registry.org technical / articles section, and also rush out and buy "Buying, Driving and Enjoying the Porsche 356" by James Schrager (its on ebay or Amazon, etc.). It's really important that you know what you are getting and also what you want to do with it - rust, paint and interiors can all be very expensive, and trust me, you will probably want to constantly fix /replace lots of little bits and pieces that add up in cost (ask me how I know!).

 

If you want to fall in love with the BT5s...buy the "Made by hand" movie...pure magic!!!

 

I have performed an "initial restoration" on a 1960 B, I have all but one of Pellow's books, I have the 356 Restore guy's book, I have ALL of the 356 Registry magazines on disk...............believe me - I'm not new to the scene. I have never owned one though and I appreciate all of your comments, hopefully I will have an oppurtunity to look at it again in depth soon. I will report back with many.........many pictures!

 

Sorry, didn't realize you had so much experience, Daniel. Obviously you will know what to look for. Good luck! My 60 Coupe is my new passion - disappointed when I can't drive it instead of my 997S, that's how bad I got 356 fever!

 

I like the T5s too, only about 8,600 Coupes built - fewer than T6 Bs & Cs and a unique look to them w/ the A style hood, rear glass & single grille. Remove the bumpers (nerf bars if you like), find a 912 engine & you are "off to the races"!

 

As much as I love outlaw tubs, I think I would keep this one a nice, stock sunday driver kind of car.

BTW - I was hoping Robert would have chimed in by now..........

 

Jim:

If you ever do sell the B coupe let me have the first option please. After many years Greg just bought back his first ever Porsche from the guy he sold it to. That is my first Porsche ever and you are the guy I sold it to
Funny license plate. It took me a few seconds to compute but I got it...

Mine is a bit more obvious "356A CPE"
If you want send me an e-mail with the updates you have done it would be appreciated.