pre a speedster barn find

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I was going to suggest that he have it crushed, sent to Korea to made into a Hyundai...a least he would have a warranty...

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by azasadny

Save that car!!!!

Totally agree!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by speeder

It's in really rough shape but it's worth a bloody fortune fully restored. We're talking new Ferrari money.

Yeah, but how much would it cost to restore it? Ferrari money?

It doesn't look like there's much there.

[billh1963]

Originally Posted by speeder

It's in really rough shape but it's worth a bloody fortune fully restored. We're talking new Ferrari money.

And will cost new Ferrari money to properly restore

[fastfredracing]

Welcome to the forum 356 Joe. You will find a great bunch of guys here. Yep this car is surely rough , and will take either a small fortune, or a well skilled guy half a lifetime of weekend, and evenings s to bring it back , but would be worth it. It is saveable.
If it were mine, I would weld it all up structurally , and assemble it while refreshing the running gear, and drive it as a rat rod for the next 10 years while I saved my lunch money, and collected parts for the restoration. This is too cool of a find for this area , which is mostly devoid of foreign/exotic cars. I can't believe it is right here in my back yard, and Joe just walks my door
I hope I am somehow involved in the fate of this old girl.

[356Joe]

I totally thought about putting the floorpans in it and driving it like a rat exotic. I want to drive it and at this point a total restoration will take forever.

[tcar]

Originally red?

[R K T]

Originally Posted by 356Joe

I totally thought about putting the floorpans in it and driving it like a rat exotic. I want to drive it and at this point a total restoration will take forever.

That's a great idea.
A shop like John Wilhoit would restore it starting at a 100 grand....and go up. But it at least it would be known as a Wilhoit Speedster and be worth at least what you spent on it. If you do an amateur restoration on it, it might very well be worth less.
I owned 80363 55 Speedster and at gas stations always got the "nice replica" or "which kit car company is that". I sold it to Nicolas Cage and he thrashed it, but now that it's a previously owned by a "celebrity" car it recently sold for 197,000.

[356Joe]

Rob I'm not sure what to do with it. I know whatever I decide to do its going to take like 40 years to finish and thats the problem. I know I'm never going to have an extra 100k laying around for a professional restoration eventhough it would be worth it. Its a dilema

[356Joe]

Tcar it was originally red that original paint was a pain in the butt to get off

[Laneco]

Originally Posted by 356Joe

Rob I'm not sure what to do with it. I know whatever I decide to do its going to take like 40 years to finish and thats the problem. I know I'm never going to have an extra 100k laying around for a professional restoration eventhough it would be worth it. Its a dilema

Joe,

If I were in your shoes, I would sell the car. There is no way that I could restore the car and the car does deserve that. If you sold the car, you are still the guy who found it, still the guy brought it from the dark into the sunlight. You will always be in this car's history.

There is no shame in selling it to someone who does have 100K to drop on a restoration. Better than than let it fade away another time.

angela

[Joe Bob]

I restored a 58A. Not as bad as that. Took me 8 months and 20K. Didn't touch the engine or trans beyond cosmetics and carb work. But complete to the spec interior, paint, four body panels, rear seat pans, wheels, tires, overhauled brakes and rubber. Figure another 20K for mechanicals at least.

I subbed out the upholstery.

[356Joe]

JoeBob I have the engine it's not original its out of a 912 it was all pulled apart there are new jugs and pistons that came with the car. so I do have to put the engine together. the whole car is a mess. I was just looking for suggestions on where to start.

[Joe Bob]

Unless you are a really good wrench, send the trans out to be refurbished. The 912 motor will be just as expensive to redo as finding a Proper and Correct powerplant. Find an engine, sell the 912 one and on't look back. P&C...you'll learn to hate that phrase.

AS to where to start, cleaning the rust and determine whether that panel needs to be relpaced. POR 15 it, cut out, patch grind....you have enuff there for a while. Pull the tank see what shape it is, pull all the gas lines, brake lines, wheel cylinders....get back to me when done.....

Sign up on the 356 registry. Lot's of help over there. They can be a bit a bunch elitist buggers but they have a lot of insight.

NEVER if you can help it buy anything from Sierra Madre Products.

Stoddard's, NLA and a few others have nice reproduction pieces. Don't anything NOS unless you have an open wallet. One of the biggest expenses I had was a
steering wheel.....use a cheapo until you know what you really want.

Don't sell anything untill you have to. Chrome VW wheels fit and you can have them made to order at Jbugs. Don't buy hubcaps until it's ready for the road.....if at all.

Any other questions....ask. Good Luck.

[356Joe]

angela thanks for the advice but the problem with selling it is that I would have some remorse. For the amount I paid for the car and the fact that I bought it from a close friend I would feel bad selling it for profit. Again JoeBob thanks for the tips. I have a box that has around 4 sets of hubcaps so thats not a problem. I don't plan to sell anything or really jump into anything until I get a good understanding of what I need and what needs to be done and like I said everything needs to be done right when its complete.

[xbrumossalesman]

Originally Posted by 356Joe

angela thanks for the advice but the problem with selling it is that I would have some remorse. For the amount I paid for the car and the fact that I bought it from a close friend I would feel bad selling it for profit. Again JoeBob thanks for the tips. I have a box that has around 4 sets of hubcaps so thats not a problem. I don't plan to sell anything or really jump into anything until I get a good understanding of what I need and what needs to be done and like I said everything needs to be done right when its complete.

Slow things down & take your time- you don't have to do anything today- give it a chance for the new to wear off -we all regret selling cars that we used to own-I do agree with Angela- it's going to be just like any other restoration /remodeling job- if you think it's going to take you 6 months & 50K it'll take twice as long & twice as much- and you are helping preserve a car that potentially has some historical significance within the Porsche community - you should feel good about that & maybe you can get visitation privileges from the next owner-If you are having ethical issues of selling at a profit you can always split it with your friend that you bought it from - I'm sure he would appreciate an unexpected windfall & realize what a good friend you are.

[R K T]

Originally Posted by xbrumossalesman

Slow things down & take your time- you don't have to do anything today- give it a chance for the new to wear off -we all regret selling cars that we used to own-I do agree with Angela- it's going to be just like any other restoration /remodeling job- if you think it's going to take you 6 months & 50K it'll take twice as long & twice as much- and you are helping preserve a car that potentially has some historical significance within the Porsche community - you should feel good about that & maybe you can get visitation privileges from the next owner-If you are having ethical issues of selling at a profit you can always split it with your friend that you bought it from - I'm sure he would appreciate an unexpected windfall & realize what a good friend you are.

X a whole bunch!

Look in the dictionary for the word remorse. You'll see my picture next to my Speedster!
Even more remorse for selling my 55 356 Outlaw........

[Shuie]

Originally Posted by 356Joe

I was just looking for suggestions on where to start.

Get the paperwork in order. Get a title for it. Get a COA. Get it on the 356 Registry. Dig up the race history. Look for old photos, log books, etc.. That kind of stuff doesn't cost much money.

Have fun with it. These are special cars. Enjoy it while you can. It will get a full proper restoration eventually.

[maxnine11]

^^^
..very well said Shuie !!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by 356Joe

angela thanks for the advice but the problem with selling it is that I would have some remorse. For the amount I paid for the car and the fact that I bought it from a close friend I would feel bad selling it for profit. Again JoeBob thanks for the tips. I have a box that has around 4 sets of hubcaps so thats not a problem. I don't plan to sell anything or really jump into anything until I get a good understanding of what I need and what needs to be done and like I said everything needs to be done right when its complete.

first, don't sell it. make a plan for it. My 69S is a total basketcase, but being a 1-off car, I can never sell it even though it will take years before it's on the road again. I would sorely regret selling it, though I have seriously considered it on several occasions, and have buyers lined up, just could never get past the instant regret which would become lifelong regret.

if you do sell it, I suggest:
X = your purchase price
Y = selling price

You get 2X
Your friend gets Y-2X, which I'm guessing would be several multiples of X.