Educate me on the 356 market

Rick Brooklyn · 11-13-2016, 06:07 AM

I'm a complete noob on 356s, and I find myself a bit confused with all the variations.

Could you experts give me a cliffs notes of the prices of different series of run of the mill 356s (not speedsters or other crazy expensive limited editions), coupes and cabs, assuming a level #3 fully original or well restored car?

dougdadmac · 07:46 AM

Purchase Jim Schrager's book "Buying,Driving and Enjoying the Porsche 356". Driver 3/4 40K and up. #2 restored 75K and up Best for driving is the newest C model. Many prefer the lines of series A cars but they are a lot more expensive. Go to Bringatrailer and search for Porsche 356 for recent sales. By Excellence Magazine's most recent guide for prices. Or go to Hagerty.com Prices for coupes about 1/2 of Cabs maybe a little more. Condition of body is the most important thing. You can rebuild engine and transmission for less than redoing body. Because of the big price run up in the last 10 years lots of 356s have been restored by shops who don't know 356s and are IMHO "Lipstick on a Pig" cars. Be careful. https://porsche356registry.org/article/164

sugarwood · sugarwood's Garage

This may be some reading for ya
356 | Search Results | Bring a Trailer

Rawknees'Turbo · 11-13-2016, 09:34 AM

SickRick, here are the 356 variations: slow, slower and slowest (a special edition "slower than the slowest of slow" was also made, butt carries a huge price premium) . . . no help with pricing other than a judgement that what people pay for those soap box derby cars is lunacy.

gshiwota · 11-13-2016, 10:01 AM

I think your question is better asked on the 356 Registry site. Beware however, you may get more answers than you were looking for.

Porsche356registry.org • Index page

I was deep into 356s since the early 90s and like most Porsche markets there's a bunch of nuance into the valuation of each specific year and model of 356. Keep in mind that some of the information you'll come across is old as for a very long time 356B coupes and specifically the Karmann Hardtop version were thought of as worthless bastards of 356s. Even 924 guys made fun of these cars. Now, just about any non-rust-bucket 356 has a lot of value and much more demand than supply.

Unlike 911s, open top cars (cabs and sunroofs) have commanded a heavy price premium over solid roof cars. The Concours crowd hates unoriginal, but things like 912 motors and disc brakes are worthy upgrades and add to the value of driver-quality cars.

From what I've seen when you look at "driver quality" cars there's little price difference between A, B, and C coupes. The prices have risen across all models and condition is the biggest price differentiator across models. There's a premium on pre-A coupes and unique options / features (i.e. sunroof, gas heaters, euro heaters, unique colors). Even Karmann Hardtops are now worth more than plain old coupes (it's about time).

pmax · pmax's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

SickRick, here are the 356 variations: slow, slower and slowest (a special edition "slower than the slowest of slow" was also made, butt carries a huge price premium) . . . no help with pricing other than a judgement that what people pay for those soap box derby cars is lunacy.

Bet your turbo powaaaed Porsh' is just as fast on these wheelbarrow tires

Rawknees'Turbo · 11-13-2016, 01:07 PM

^^^

356s run light duty wheelbarrow tires (only rated for leaves, grass clippings, etc) so even just the weight of turbo powaaa' would pop those dollhouse hoops!

Unobtanium-inc · 01:11 PM

The market has a large gap between the lowest and the highest models. The average guy can get into a 356 for under $50,000, driving, but you won't be winning any shows. A project can be had for under $25,000 if you're handy. If you need specifics I pump a lot of these cars all over the world so I can give recent sales if you need them. Unlike a lot of the "asking" prices you see out there I find it's more helpful to see actual sales to gauge the market.

Rick Brooklyn · 09:09 PM

Quote:

SickRick, here are the 356 variations: slow, slower and slowest (a special edition "slower than the slowest of slow" was also made, butt carries a huge price premium) . . .

Hahaha! That one was called the Slowster I think!

Rick Brooklyn · 11-13-2016, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unobtanium-inc

The market has a large gap between the lowest and the highest models. The average guy can get into a 356 for under $50,000, driving, but you won't be winning any shows. A project can be had for under $25,000 if you're handy. If you need specifics I pump a lot of these cars all over the world so I can give recent sales if you need them. Unlike a lot of the "asking" prices you see out there I find it's more helpful to see actual sales to gauge the market.

Thanks guys this has been very helpful.

And I might take you up on your offer on recent sales... In fact I might pay you a visit some time this year given I'm not too far away!

NYNick · NYNick's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Brooklyn

Thanks guys this has been very helpful.

And I might take you up on your offer on recent sales... In fact I might pay you a visit some time this year given I'm not too far away!

Rick,

Let me know I'll go with you if I'm around.

Rawknees'Turbo · 11-14-2016, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYNick

Rick,

Let me know I'll go with you if I'm around.

***forum dating***

matt930s · matt930s's Garage

Ronnie, be quiet, or I will call your parole officer:

Rawknees'Turbo · 11-14-2016, 11:07 AM

^^^

My parole officer better have something other than a 356 to drive when he comes to pick me up, or I'll be able to outrun him . . . on foot!

Unobtanium-inc · 11-14-2016, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

^^^

My parole officer better have something other than a 356 to drive when he comes to pick me up, or I'll be able to outrun him . . . on foot!

There is another 356 that I autocross with, he came in 2nd a few times ago, beating 911's, Cayman's, everything else on the track. I came in 2nd, but only in my class, and it was a class of 2....
But seriously, once you drive a 356 you understand, take one into a corner and come out the other side, it's hard not to impressed. Sure when I want full out speed I take my AMG out and scare myself silly, but the 356 is actually a funner ride.

---Adam

Rawknees'Turbo · 11-14-2016, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unobtanium-inc

But seriously, once you drive a 356 you understand, take one into a corner and come out the other side, it's hard not to impressed.

Impressed that it took less than five minutes to get through the corner, that corner speed was greater than 4.6MPH, or that the car didn't fold in half mid-corner?!?!

Unobtanium-inc · 11-14-2016, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

Impressed that it took less than five minutes to get through the corner, that corner speed was greater than 4.6MPH, or that the car didn't fold in half mid-corner?!?!

Have you ever driven a well sorted 356?

matt930s · matt930s's Garage

He's just a ball buster....

MattR

sugarwood · sugarwood's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

SickRick, here are the 356 variations: slow, slower and slowest (a special edition "slower than the slowest of slow" was also made, butt carries a huge price premium) . . . no help with pricing other than a judgement that what people pay for those soap box derby cars is lunacy.

I also do not understand the appeal of the 356.

1979-930 · 1979-930's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt930s

He's just a ball buster....

MattR

That covers figurative and literal definitions.

So from what I am reading is the 356 is the old man version of the Miata? They seem to share the same reasons on why they don't suck.