Value of a 57 356A coupe

[atlascafe]

I have a chance to buy a 1957 356A. It's complete but needs everything to be gone through. Body is solid with no major cancer. Originally Minerva blue. It's all there. Was told that it ran when parked in the 90's. Also, it has a non numbers matching motor but it comes with a extra one that "could be" original to the car.

What's a fair price in the currant market?

[mattC2993]

Its hard to find nice project A coupes. Nicely restored cars are nearly into six figures. It wouldn't surprise me if it sold for $30-$40k.

[Porsche Fun]

Porsche 356 and 912 Serial Number Reference Site will help you identify if the engine is a match to the body 356"A" cars are tough to find --- they all have rust --- pans - longitudinals - gas tank floors -- with that being said , $30K is not an unreasonable number to pay as long as it's 100% there - I just finished mine (59) and trust me you will spend $$$$ to make it right but it's an appreciating classic that will continue to grow faster in value than any 401K or other savings plans.

[Nick Triesch]

No Major Cancer? Really?

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by Nick Triesch

No Major Cancer? Really?

Good one Nick. Might want to try to poke the belly of it with a screedriver. Well, maybe not

[Nick Triesch]

That's right. When I used to go look at VW Bugs to buy I used to always take a flashlight and a screwdriver. I even looked at " restored" bugs that the screwdriver went right through on the floor. !! Those were the days! Man I loved those little cars.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Nick Triesch

That's right. When I used to go look at VW Bugs to buy I used to always take a flashlight and a screwdriver. I even looked at " restored" bugs that the screwdriver went right through on the floor. !! Those were the days! Man I loved those little cars.

Yep. Old VW and 356 trick is to smother the pan of the car with undercoat to hide the rust. Carpet on the other side. Unless someone pokes around they might not notice it.

[CountD]

Originally Posted by Nick Triesch

That's right. When I used to go look at VW Bugs to buy I used to always take a flashlight and a screwdriver. I even looked at " restored" bugs that the screwdriver went right through on the floor. !! Those were the days! Man I loved those little cars.

Those WERE the days. I had a '55,'56 and '57 Oval Window Bugs. Bought relatively inexpensively (after all, highschool was 25 years ago). You can't hide from the screwdriver test. I suspect this car may not pass the screw test in a couple areas. 356s hide rust very well under the 1/4 inch of tar they used to put on the bottom. That's why old cars scare me. Rust scares me. I need to sell it all and buy a Cayman.

[Nick Triesch]

I remember years ago I went with some friends to test drive a restored mid 60's Bug. New paint and interior! Was really pretty. So we all got in for the test drive. I hopped in the back and my feet went right through the floor!!!Had the new tar on the bottom. I can tell by the pictures that this old 356 has seen the elements. Beware. It is way more rust than you think.

[Nick Triesch]

I love my 3.2 but I tell you what, the Cayman is a very cool fun to drive car. Used examples can be had for not a ton of cash. One thing that is a bummer . You can never see the motor. Also, no dipstick for the oil. I can live with that!

[mattC2993]

Its pretty obvious that rust exists based on those photos. It'll still bring $30k.

[Nick Triesch]

If it runs I would not drive it over 40 MPH because the roof may blow off.

[atlascafe]

Jim at Easy sold the car for $40k. It's going back to the fatherland.

[Nick Triesch]

Holy Cow! Hope it makes the trip over!