356 for a daliy driver?

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I'm always forwarding my dad eBay links on 356's for sale, thinking he'll lose his senses and get one. Well, be careful what you wish for...

I just got an email from him that he and mom want to look into a 356 when their SAAB dies. They have an '88 900 turbo cab and it makes my old Carrera look like a hassle-free car. They live in NJ, my dad has a free company car and they have a house on LBI, which they get to almost every weekend. They also take their new bassett hound puppy everywhere with them. I think the 356 would see a lot of use at the beach in warm weather, but probably would sit in the garage in their main house in colder weather. Of course, I'd love to have another Porsche in the family. But I'm not sure my dad, a very handy engineer, but with atrophied wrenching skills due to 15 yrs. of free company cars, is ready for the joys of Porsche maint.

My folks get a regular dose of my DIY stories, so I think telling them to get a well-sorted 911 Carrera cab would make more sense, but scare them off. Can 356's be hassle free with plenty of use? I need to find someone in NJ with a 911 cab to take my folks for a ride.

Soterik · Soterik's Garage

There is a guy here in Seattle , with a 1965C Coupe. He's got 300,000 mi. on the car, bought from the original owner in 1975, and has been driving it daily since 1995.

My suggestion would be a 64 or 65, just because of the disc brakes. But, theoretically , you could do it with any 356 that is well prepared.

Regards, Eric
56 disc brake Speedster
59 Garage queen coupe
6 early 911's.......

jaxon · jaxon's Garage

I'd encourage him to get the 356. I think he'll really enjoy it.

He drove cars in '68. He knows what they were like.

If he grows tired of it, you can always take it off his hands! Or, he won't have much problem finding a buyer.

How old is he?

RazorRacer · 04-02-2004, 09:28 AM

Kill their SAAB quick before they change their minds.

ckissick · 04-02-2004, 09:30 AM

Get a 356C. My father bought a 1953 356 new while stationed in Germany, lured my mother with it (Thankfully for me), and they drove it from San Francisco to Yellowstone on their honeymoon. A 60's 356 can handle it. Besides, after the Saab, the 356 will seem like a trouble-free car.

Charlie
Montara, CA
1970 911E
1950 VW

slater · 04-02-2004, 09:34 AM

This is something I have been considering for a long time. And I tell you what, anything will seem hassle free compared to driving my MGB as a daily driver. "MGB- Never drive further than you can walk."

john70t · 04-02-2004, 09:58 AM

Yahoo!(not the web site) Tell them that any car(assembly of metal) they've ever wished for has been earned X times over. Enjoy!!!!!

mwbaum · mwbaum's Garage

356 are very reliable if you take care of them. They need more frequent attention than a 911 of course, but you can do most of it yourself....get Harry Pellows books. In a wet climate I would not want a cab for a daily driver, but a coupe that was garaged would be fine. They are really wonderful cars....and you have to give them a lot of love.

I also agree with prev posts about getting the "C" model (64/65) for a daily driver....although they are not as sexy as the "A" they are vast improved mechanically...

john70t · 04-02-2004, 10:14 AM

If they got the spirit go for it! Get them some good confortable seats with back support and a basic tune-up-with-cellular for comfort and convienience(sorry spelling sucks but spell-check just gives a list of Java-script errors).

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I gingerly suggested 911 cabs and that got him interested too. So I sent him a few eBay links. I'll push for a 993 cab, but they'd never do it. Besides, Carreras really are the last easy ones to DIY repair. They both grin like little kids when they drive my 993 and they thought the Carrera was fun too. I know the SAAB has one more repair left in it before it gets shot in its sleep.

83911sc · 04-03-2004, 11:24 AM

Hey Rich -

My SC (83) may be a little "less civilized" than a Carrera that you are pushing for, but I'm in South Jersey (rt near exit 4 NJT) and would be glad to let your parents check out the feel. Post here or PM me and we can set something up.

Adam

sundaypunch · 04-03-2004, 03:49 PM

Heck, have him get a cab

Sounds like he isn't at a point in his life when he will want to be doing his own wrenching. I'd find a good mechanic that knows his way around them. Have him go through the car and get them on a good PM program.

jazzbass · 04-03-2004, 06:09 PM

Get them down to DC for the next fun run and they can test drive almost evey conceivable model. We have 356s, 914s, long hoods, mid years, SCs, Carreras, a 964, and some dude in a 993 that drives like a maniac.

My opinion? 356 and long hoods are the coolest, but not for wet/bad weather (rust) and only for those who like to wrench or pay those that do. SCs or Carreras because they so plentiful if you like the raw "Porsche" experience + galvanized cars. 964 or 993 if you like power and creature conforts. The latter would be the best daily drivers for the non-mechanically inclined.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Thanks Adam. I need to call the folks today and gingerly ask if dad is really serious. I don't think he is yet. But I could easily see him stumbling across something and then getting the bug. I'll be up visiting them on LBI in a few weeks and I'm sure that letting them drive my 993 will light that fire again.

catuck · catuck's Garage

My dad has a '60 356B roadster he drives regularly in the summer. The only problems he has are keeping it in tune and fouled plugs. It doesn't like to sit in traffic - fouled plugs. The jets in the carbs get clogged occasionally (webers) and the points are troublesome. He has gotten really good at tuning the car on the fly. Its a BLAST to drive though!