edmcnulty

Is anyone aware of an expert individual or firm that would find/inspect a purchase? I know very little about the 356 but am thinking of purchasing one. Thanks in advance!

89826

Where do you live? Do you plan to search nationwide?

Edit: I'll give a better answer than what I wrote above. I learned to drive in a 356 C coupe that my dad picked up at the factory. So the cars are in my blood. When I got my first real job in the '80s, I wanted my own 356. Living in So. Cal., it had to be a convertible. I paid around $9,000, all I could afford, and the car was a mess. I thought I knew what I was doing, but I didn't. Everything turned out fine though, but I won't bore you with that. Point is, it is virtually impossible to buy the right car by yourself when just starting out.

You want to avoid cars that have been hit or are rusted. Many many cars have damage which has been poorly repaired and hidden under shiny paint. Fixing a body properly can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Mechanicals are less of a problem to deal with.

You have the right idea in trying to find someone to help. Look at 356registry.com It is the biggest club for these cars in the world. A website, other than the Registry, with a lot of cars for sale is European Collectibles in So. Cal. Good reputation, good selection, but no bargains. There are others.

What you should do is figure out what kind of car you want and your budget. Coupe, cabriolet, Speedster, Roadster, or Convertible D? It really helps to narrow your search.

ked

Ed,
There are a number of specialists in 356s around the country. 89's advice is solid - you can research by getting on the Registry (don't miss the list of regional chapters - get in touch w/ the one near you) & opening yourself up to all players (& some of them are... "trust, but verify" applies - there are many shades of gray & even some shady - just like any biz).

If you want to give us more info on your interest & parameters (price range, region or ?), we might be able to provide more direction. I would also advise that you gain as much 356 expertise on your own to better guide your search & understand the raw (as well as analytical) info you will be paying for. good luck!

matt777

As mentioned the 356Registry is the place to go to find someone to inspect a car. These cars are very old now and many things good and bad may have happened to them. The main concern with 356s is always the body and structure. The door gaps are critical too and say alot about the car. By now most cars will need work to the floors and longitudinals including closing panels and the battery box. Rusty cars will require even more repairs. These repairs are either done poorly ,well or not at all. Accidents and clip replacements are a whole other topic. That is where an experienced inspector comes in. I highly recommend seeing the car in person as well. There is a PPI checklist on the 356Registry site.

edmcnulty

Thanks everyone. Found a guy on 356 registry and we are moving forward. I know alot about E Types.....nothing about 356`s.

RJT

OK......If your user name is your actual name, Ed Mcnulty, then you need to get in touch with Pete Mcnulty!!!! He's a friend in SoCal and is an expert in 356s. He can find you a car, do a thorough PPI and he's someone you can TRUST.
I'll find his contact info for you.....

RJT

Here ya go....pmcnulty98@aol.com

edmcnulty

THANKS!

Amar789

Good one

4sOwner

Hi JoAnne

A friend of mine told me to go to rennlist.com with my question where I stumbled across your answer to edmcnulty's post.

I am from Switzerland and a Porsche ower for 20 years now (started with a 964, currently driving a 997 4S Cab) and decided to (try to) buy myself a 356 Speedster. I am currently looking for a car all over the US and would ship it to Switzerland.

I need to find a 356 expert to look at a speedster for me for sale in Carlsbad.

You posted Pete McNulty's mailaddress and I didn't just want to use that mailaddress without permission.

Is Pete the guy to talk to when it comes to make an expertise for me on a 356 Speedster in Southern California?

Thanks for your answer.

Christian

RJT

Christian.....Pete is your man! There are a bunch of knowledgeable 356 guys in SoCal, and Pete is VERY knowledgeable!!!!! Go for it and good luck.

RollingArt

How about Bob Campbell, owner of "356 sales" (I think that's the co. name) in Santa Clarita, CA.

He always has a bunch of high quality 356's in stock.

Just found his www - http://356sales.com/




Phil