Did I Miss the Opportunity of a Lifetime?
08-10-2013, 12:52 PM
#1
1st Gear
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Did I Miss the Opportunity of a Lifetime?
My Wife and I deal in antiques and we attend weekly estate sales and auctions. My job is finding deals in automotive and motorcycle antiques and memorabilia, Wife looks for everything else.
Usually major items are listed pre-sale allowing me to do some research. Not the case at this Friday afternoon estate sale, no mention of a Porsche for sale.
We arrived at the 4:00 PM start time and in the driveway was a 1961 356 which was going up for bid at 4:15 PM two people were interested in the Porsche. I did a quick pre-auction google search with little luck. The car sold for about double what I was comfortable paying. Even now that I am home and did more searching I am not sure what it was worth. Most of the 356s I found are restored or need total restoration. I rarely miss a good buy. Should I have purchased this car?
Sorry, I did not think to take a picture. This is what I know......
1961 356 1600 Super with a sunroof.
Car has not been started in 5 years, engine turns over.
Car is solid and straight. no signs of rust or bodywork.
Glass, seals, gauges, bright work in good condition.
Hood has leather straps that I doubt are original.
Front bumper has fog lights that I don't think are original. Rear bumper has minor damage.
Headliner, seat covers, and carpet are in poor condition.
The red Paint is fair and not original.
I don't know if it had matching serial numbers.
Car sold for $20K.
For future reference.........Should I have purchased this Porsche?
Usually major items are listed pre-sale allowing me to do some research. Not the case at this Friday afternoon estate sale, no mention of a Porsche for sale.
We arrived at the 4:00 PM start time and in the driveway was a 1961 356 which was going up for bid at 4:15 PM two people were interested in the Porsche. I did a quick pre-auction google search with little luck. The car sold for about double what I was comfortable paying. Even now that I am home and did more searching I am not sure what it was worth. Most of the 356s I found are restored or need total restoration. I rarely miss a good buy. Should I have purchased this car?
Sorry, I did not think to take a picture. This is what I know......
1961 356 1600 Super with a sunroof.
Car has not been started in 5 years, engine turns over.
Car is solid and straight. no signs of rust or bodywork.
Glass, seals, gauges, bright work in good condition.
Hood has leather straps that I doubt are original.
Front bumper has fog lights that I don't think are original. Rear bumper has minor damage.
Headliner, seat covers, and carpet are in poor condition.
The red Paint is fair and not original.
I don't know if it had matching serial numbers.
Car sold for $20K.
For future reference.........Should I have purchased this Porsche?
08-10-2013, 11:08 PM
#4
Miserable Old Bastard
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I don't think you missed a deal of a lifetime, but I do think it sounds like a good buy. I'd say it may have been worth $25. It still needs paint ultimately, new interior, some engine and probably brake work to get it to driver stage. Sunroof is rare and a bonus with value. Same car as my 60 in driver condition (I don't have a sunroof). T5 coupes (1960-61) are pretty much at the bottom of the 356 value curve.
08-24-2013, 02:45 AM
#5
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I don't think you missed a deal of a lifetime, but I do think it sounds like a good buy. I'd say it may have been worth $25. It still needs paint ultimately, new interior, some engine and probably brake work to get it to driver stage. Sunroof is rare and a bonus with value. Same car as my 60 in driver condition (I don't have a sunroof). T5 coupes (1960-61) are pretty much at the bottom of the 356 value curve.
08-25-2013, 07:05 PM
#7
Drifting
+1 the Super and the sunroof would make it a no brainer. I wouldn't beat yourself up too much. Its hard to pull the trigger when you aren't up on market prices and such.
