1963 356 Coupe-what's it worth?

[skeit80]

I'm thinking of buying a 1963 356 Coupe from a buddy and we are trying to determine a fair price. Here's the problems with the car:
rusty floorpans-they will need to be replaced.
the bottom of both doors are rusty-either the doors will need replacing or buy bottom door skins,
battery area is rusty and needs replacing,
rust on door sills-need repair or patch panel
the front hood does not fit perfect
the engine is not original-i believe it has a 356 C engine and comes with Weber 40's

the good:
it comes with an extra 356 A engine in decent shape (ran before it was removed from a car)
interior is clean-seats are original and in new condition
chrome is in excellent shape
comes with a new carpet set
comes with metal to repair the battery area
the car currently runs and drives

any ideas of value? any idea what the extra 356A engine is worth?
i'm thinking about buying it, welding in new sheet metal, painting it and selling it to make a few bucks for my upcoming wedding

i wish i could keep it, but the future wife is making the wedding VERY EXPENSIVE!! you guys know what i mean!! thanks.

[ty901]

quite a mouthful, but here goes;

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rusty floorpans-they will need to be replaced.
the bottom of both doors are rusty-either the doors will need replacing or buy bottom door skins,
battery area is rusty and needs replacing,
rust on door sills-need repair or patch panel
****

if you are a competent welder & have the equipment, figure $1,000 for replacement panels and supplies. i suggest keeping the doors and farming them out. (don't ask me how i know) new doors requires fitting those doors to your car. (read: pain... and time) the upside ? doing your own metal work saves $5-8K. if you've never done this before plan on 250 - 400 hours of work. this is not a process for the faint of heart.

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the front hood does not fit perfect
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red flag. you won't know what you have until you take a "killer" and get the paint and filler off the car. if you need a frame rack, add $$ to your estimate.

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the engine is not original-i believe it has a 356 C engine and comes with Weber 40's
*****

not an issue for a driver. a serial number would help.

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the good:
it comes with an extra 356 A engine in decent shape (ran before it was removed from a car)
*****

*might* be worth $1,000 if complete, original and a Super. less for the "Damen".

*****
interior is clean-seats are original and in new condition
chrome is in excellent shape
*****

seats have been redone.

*****
comes with a new carpet set
*****

good if it's Original German square weave. ($400) otherwise NBD.

*****
comes with metal to repair the battery area
*****

$50
it's the fabrication you have to do to get the *adjoining* panels ready to accept the new panel that takes the most time.

*****
the car currently runs and drives
*****

well... there's something to be said for that!
lots of detailed pictures would help.

*****
i'm thinking about buying it, welding in new sheet metal, painting it and selling it to make a few bucks for my upcoming wedding
*****

what year is the wedding ?

HTH
jerry
pix of a formerly rusty car here;

http://www.356registry.org/Members/haussler/index.html

[Jump2xs]

Even if you get the car for free, I seriously doubt you can make much money, even if you do nearly all the labor. Figure you will find even more rust when you start getting into the bowels of the beast, especially on a known rusty car--heck I've found nasty rust on cars I thought were near virgins.
The market for an "A" engine is not terribly brisk, because most folks want the internal mechanicals of C/SC/912. Maybe You'll find someone who just needs a runner for a beater--$1000 might be optimistic.
You will then you'll need to find a buyer for your quickie resale restoration. Keep in mind that the T6-B coupe is not at the top of the 356 hit parade....more desirable than a T5-B, but barely.

If you want high adventure, and are able to keep the bride-to-be off your back while your on YOUR back, then explain to her why you need to spend 22k and hundreds of hours to make 2k, then go for it.

My advice is take a second job or work some overtime, because restoring a rusty coupe is filled with risk and probably doesn't make financial sense.

[maze]

356 buyers are the most technically competent car enthusiasts out there. Nobody who knows these cars will pay for a poor armature restoration. So your better off just selling it like it is and then someone who knows the cars well and is set up to do a proper restoration might be interested depending on details of the rust etc. In otherwords your best bet is to steal it from your friend and flip it for a few bucks...but then you better think twice about inviting your "friend" to your wedding....