Any thoughts about this 356: value, etc?

[frankzzz]

I'm not a 356 guy -- I favor the 911 SC -- but an opportunity may be coming up that I maybe shouldn't pass on. Briefly, the car you see sitting in the snow has been outside for at least the last 2 years. My understanding is that the owner may soon decide to sell and will want to sell quickly, at a price to match. Trouble is, I am shortly leaving town for a four month period and don't even have time right now to check out the car in any detail. This much I know. It has been serviced regularly and runs well. And, it's a one-owner car. And the paint looks pretty solid, if oxidized.
I don't even know what year it is or what variant. Someone told me they thought it was a 63 or 64. I was hoping somebody here might notice some details in the pix -- maybe something about the instrument cluster or whatever -- that might be a tip off.
It's got some rust. See the photos. I don't know how extensive it is.
And, well, I hate to say it, but that's about as much as I know. Basically, it's next to nothing. And the only time I could take photos of it, before leaving on my trip, it was in the snow.
Okay, given all that, and I know this is a ridiculous question, but, from the little I've said and the little you can see, can you suggest a price, which if somebody paid it, it would be a no brainer, no matter what else might be right or wrong with the car itself.
In other words, if the owner calls me, it's going to be a buy it now situation or don't buy it at all. And I have no idea of the price he might ask; only, that he'd be looking for a quick sale.
Like I said, I'm pretty sure it runs great -- I got that from someone who has driven it -- but other than that, it'd kind of be a great pig in the poke.
What do you think? At what price would you take a chance on something like this?

[miketori]

regardless of age and rust, if its running well its worth a minium of $20,000

[Unobtanium-inc]

It's a '64 or '65 356C. If you can see that much rust, there's lots more hiding. That's not the end of the world, but be prepared to do some rust repair. If you can weld yourself, have at it. If you have to pay to have the work done, pull out your wallet. If it's been sitting you'll have to have the carbs worked on, and you may have to put new soft brake lines on it because they tend to swell and restrict brake pressure, or lock the brakes when you press the pedal. These are all maybes, of course. Looks like a neat car. - Matt

[frankzzz]

thanks, guys. let me rephrase my question a little: what's the **most** you would pay for the car you see here and in the condition as i have (so inadequately) described it, sight unseen. i know this is goofy but it's all i've got at the moment.

[upwardr]

I think 20 to 23 is a safe bet. I just sold a decent driver for 30canadian.

[Matt Monson]

I think full market is probably $25k on that car. That's all the money as it sits. So if you can get it for $15-20k buy it today price you would probably be fairly safe to cover yourself.

Just be prepared to put another $20k into it if you want it to be a nice driver. You looking for a project to restore or a rough driver? That's a few grand from a rough driver, $20 from a nice driver and $40+ from concours.

[frankzzz]

if the car comes my way and i get it, my plan would be to fix it up to rough driver state, love it for a year or three, then do the responsible thing and pass it on to someone with hopefully more time, $, skills and motivation, to take it to the next level.

[frankzzz]

just to amuse myself, i flitting around the 'net looking for what other 356's i could get for 15k. here's one of them i found. i wonder what this would *actually* go for in the real world.


1964 Porsche 356C for sale | Hemmings Motor News

[dienstuhr]

Dark grey over red is a great colour combo if it's original. Good luck whichever way you go.

Cheers

d.

[nota]

saw a 356 64 last sat
nice looking from 50feet with shiny paint
BUT
but at a closer look bondo cracked on most body parts

CLAIMED LOW MILES 30K AND DECENT LOOKING MOTOR & INT
ASKING 20K

[Cannonball996]

one owner car with regular service records... thats a big plus in my book, I have seen 356s in much rougher condition bring $20K. so I think the price is going to be a bit north of that, but how much is hard to say based on the pics.

[frankzzz]

thanks again, all. i'm going to see my friend who knows the owner in a few days, and I'm going to ask him to beg the owner to bring the car over to my garage and at least store it there over the winter, no matter whether he wants to sell it or not. it grieves me to see it shivering in the cold and snow. i've already given my friend a pretty good car cover to throw over the thing but some type of indoor arrangement would be much better. plus, if it's stored in my garage, and if possession is 9/10 of the law, well, then, you know ... ;_).