Porsche 356 as a first P-car?

325i Vert · 06:36 AM

Hey guys,
I have posted in this part side of Pelican Parts a few times in the past and got great responses. I have been in the BMW world for a while now but now I am considering getting into the Porscshe family soon. I am planning on purchasing a classic Porsche in the next 2 to 4 months and was wanting to get all of your opinions and thoughts on this. Would a 356 be a good car to start off with as a first P-car? I love the styling and classic lines and looks. I have been around quite a few of these cars as well. I have been to Cal Turners get- together in Nashville twice and a few drives with some other Nashville Tubs members as well as the Porsche East Coast Hoilday at the Biltmore Estate. These events have made me fall in love with the 356. Ive been looking into the early 911's, 1965 to 1973, and have found that my taste for the 356 overcomes the 911. How is the reliabilty of the 356? Maintainence? The car will be used for nice, warm and sunny days and thats all, no daily commuting. If the 356 is a good starter Porsche, are certain years better than the other? Please excuse my lack of knowledge on this. Thanks alot.

Josh K

id10t · 12-12-2005, 08:16 AM

Yes. More fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow, will only go up in value, can be pushed to its limits and stay mostly legal (speed wise), and of course, the looks.

Hard part is that they are all at least 40 years old, so you really need to find a "good" one and have it inspected by someone who really knows 356s.

drauz · drauz's Garage

I concur (have 2 356s). Key is to buy a very good "driver" example, fully sorted, no stories, traceable history, no rot. It will cost, but will pay off in the long run (or sooner). I'd suggest a 356C Coupe - perhaps a Normal - in order to expand the market size to find a very good example (body + service history & current status). You can always drop in a 912 type motor later (keep N if #s match). Next choice, a T6 B Coupe, same approach. Happy hunting!

Big D · 12-12-2005, 02:40 PM

After owning a 66 912 with 4 disk brakes and now driving a 63 356B with drums I would go with the 64 and up cars. Just my .02 DG

325i Vert · 12-12-2005, 08:31 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone. Where is the best place to find these cars? I have looked obviously on this site, the 356 registry and collectorcartraderonline.com and European Collectables. Any other sites that would be a good place to find a good car? How hard are these motors to work on if the need be? I know ones of my buddies 73 1/2 911T is pretty cut and dry and rather "easy" to work on. I wasnt sure if the 356's were the same way. Can the motor be hopped up relatively easily? I see alot of people using different carbs and such. Any more info would be great guys. Thanks alot.

Josh K

id10t · 12-13-2005, 06:36 AM

Mechanices is hard for me, but that's cause of the way my brain works. A friend who had a VW bus ('66 split window) helps me, and the engines are fairly the same - one built for mass production & high tolerances, one built for perfection. Little differences, like specs, etc. but they are *extremely* easy to work on.

As far as "hopping it up", sure, you could put a 2l Type 4 engine in there with 110+ horsepower, but then the rest of the car starts to lag behind. If you want to go reallly fast, get a 911.

325i Vert · 12-13-2005, 07:15 AM

Im not wanting to go really fast at all. I didnt mean to sound like I did in that last post about going fast. I really just asked if there were options to make it a lil more peppy. Im not really wanting to get the car over 80 or 90 horsepower. If I get a 356 I want to keep it as stock as possible. Do you guys find that there is enough power made from these motors to really enjoy it? I owned a BMW 325e a while ago and although it wasnt the least bit quick, It was still a blast to drive! I know these cars must be so much fun.

Josh K

drauz · drauz's Garage

The S, S-90, SC & 912 engines have the power to make the chassis come alive. Ns call for more finesse, but are very rewarding when one focuses their skill on managing momentum, extracting all the best out of the platform. A healthy 356B or C will cruise all day at around 80mph.

I highly recommend you read Schrager's "Buying Driving & Enjoying the 356" and Spencer's "356 Performance Handbook" - much wisdom therein.

tubster_356 · 12-15-2005, 09:47 AM

Even a stock Normal 1600 engine (60 hp) in decent tune with get you up to 80 mph no problem. My recomendations:
- Buy the books that 'drauz' suggests
- Join the 356 Registry: <http://www.356registry.org/>
- Start with your budget and figure out what you can afford and how you will use the car
- Expect to put in a few thousand $after you get the car home.
- Remember that metal work is big $$$, while mechanicals, brakes, electrical and the likes are much less.
- These cars are a blast to drive and relatively easy to work on for the novice mechanic.

Good luck!

Ron
'63 Coupe
'61 Roadster
'95 BMW 325 (only driven when it rains)

325i Vert · 12-15-2005, 06:35 PM

Thanks for your input guys. My budget is up to $27000. I figured I can find a very nice car for that amount. Is there a certain condition that is better? What I mean by that is Restored car vs. All Original car. Im sure the all original cars in good shape go for more money but I could be wrong. Ive been wrong once or twice before

.

Josh K

Waz356 · 12-15-2005, 07:13 PM

Ron's (tubster_356) suggestions are spot on. Finding an unrestored car is less likley than finding a good restored car. Definately join the 356 Registry and be sure to have a knowledgable 356'er do a PPI on anything you decide to get serious about. And if you're looking at driving it every day, then a C or SC coupe with disc brakes would be my recomendation. Good luck with the search.

325i Vert · 12-15-2005, 07:19 PM

Thanks. The car is only going to be used as a nice weather car. No daily driving, just weekend drives and such.

Josh K

Waz356 · 12-15-2005, 07:25 PM

That makes your choice a bit harder then. The A's are definately more sought after but the C/SC are the last of the breed and hence more refined. There should be a lot of choices in your price range though.

Franklin · 12-23-2005, 01:28 PM

As far as finding one for sale, check P-shops in your area that work on 356"s. I've always found the shops to be good resources and mostly honest for the condition of the car if they service it. You should be able to find a good driver in the mid-teens and then you can use the rest of your budget to fix/personalize your car.

Mike Kast · Mike Kast's Garage

http://www.hamiltonclassics.com/index.htm

real550A · real550A's Garage

My first one was a '64SC with Mahle 1750cc piston/cylinders, and Isky 107 cam. It remains one of the most fun car memories I have! Very spirited racing at Donnybrooke Raceway in northern Minnesota during the late '60s.
I also concur with the 64-65 disc brake models being the best.