356 Project Question

[cameronspreston]

Hey Guys

I am thinking of getting a 356 project car ( Later Car)something that needs a lot of work but not to much rust and original engine how much am I looking to spend/

Thanks for your help

[Miguel Antonett]

Too vague of a request... it depends on sooooo many things... You'll get vague answers such as: from $20k to $200K.

[cameronspreston]

Hey there

Something with a original 356 engine not running, the later ones that appear to normally be cheaper, thrashed interior missing trim pieces maybe been sitting in barn like a barn find coupe of course clean title very little to no rust.

[cameronspreston]

Something that is a long term project

Something like this but a stock 356c
Barn Find 1953 Porsche 356 Is A Pricey Project | Vintage Replicar

[The cap'n]

It's pretty much a rule that restoring a car is best left to the previous owner.

The Cap'n

[Miguel Antonett]

Originally Posted by cameronspreston

Something that is a long term project

Something like this but a stock 356c
Barn Find 1953 Porsche 356 Is A Pricey Project | Vintage Replicar

Your attachment says it all.

[flatsicks]

Try to find a decent 60-61 T5 coupe, those are still somewhat affordable. for a decent non runner you are still looking at 18-20k. disc brake cars probably 5k more, A and earlier cars I would add another 5-10.

Find a T5b with a decent body and no engine and then source a 912 would make for a great ride. the normal / 60hp is a bit of a dog.

[Les Paul]

I put aftermarket discs up front and kept the back drums. Seems like it was only 750+ the dual master cylinder. If you're going to keep up with interstate speeds I would suggest at least 90hp

[The cap'n]

"Aftermarket discs"? Why? 356 drum brakes are FAR more brakes than a street driven under 2000 pound car would ever need ...

The Cap'n

[cameronspreston]

Thanks guy, btw what is it like to restore a 356 in the kind of shape I am talking about are they relatively difficult to restore, what the most expensive parts on the car. Really dumb question but I know very little about these is the engine similar to a beetle I have heard these rather Volkswagen like, the reason I ask are certain engine parts interchangeable with VW parts. Again correct me this is so new to me I know nothing about these at all

[The cap'n]

Very early cars used a 36hp VW case, and some of the internals. Once the 3 piece case was introduced, in the mid-'50s, all but the most remote visual similarities were gone. I've worked on both VW and Porsche engines professionally for over 40 years, and I don't recall a single part interchange, except maybe for the coil and some nuts and bolts. They're vastly more expensive to recondition. Generally speaking, an equivalent full rebuild on a 356/912 engine can easily cost 4-5 times as much as a VW 1600. Some folks opt for Jake Raby built 2.0 T4 engines, which cost 1/2-2/3 the cost of a 356 engine, and offer more hp and reliability, as well as significantly longer life. The transmissions are similarly different and expensive. A first class overhaul of a mid-years VW transaxle is under a grand. The same job on an equivalent year Porsche tranny can easily be 2 to 3 times that. Nearly everything you would need to fully restore an early 60s 356 is available. Depending on the condition of the car, prior repairs, rust, body filler, whatever, you can easily get into $10-30K for body and paint, not counting interior and glass, or trim.

I don't want you to go away, I just want you to go into this with open eyes. If you find a car you like, pay someone who knows the cars to do a thorough inspection, up on a lift if possible. It might cost you upwards of $100, maybe even twice that, but it's CHEAP insurance.

The Cap'n