Not for the Faint of Heart: A $70,356 Porsche 356A Project

NOTE: The auction closed on this Porsche 356A Project and it sold for $70,356. In three hours there was spirited bidding as it almost doubled in price. As noted below it said it should be a $70,000 car, but I didn't think it would make it there. That is what makes an auction fun.

There has been a beautiful patina'd Meissen Blue 1959 Porsche 356 Project for sale on Bring a Trailer (BaT). The auction is ending today and it seems to be struggling to match previous pricing enthusiasm for Porsche 356A’s. There are only three hours left in the auction and it is only bid up to $40,000. Even on a project Porsche 356A this should be a $70 or $80,000 car.

What’s the story behind the low interest in this car?

1959 Porsche 356A for Sale on Bring a Trailer

My estimate is that in three hours this numbers matching 356A will climb to be a $55,000 project. It is facing several hurdles that is holding the project back:

• The engine hasn’t turned over in many years and will require a rebuild

• Features an older re-paint and is at best driver quality since it has cracks in the paint.

• Body Corrosion is present in the car

• The cabin is stated as worn

• A later model radio is installed

• Non-original red interior

• Corrosion is noted on interior trim and gauges are non-original

• Lack of good under pan photos raises a red flag for corrosion issues

Porsche 356A Project with a Nice Patina Meissen Blue Paint

Options to Save this Porsche 356A

1. Complete Restoration: The fact that it is numbers-matching provides the opportunity that it could have a complete restoration and have a quality Porsche 356A. It is almost guaranteed that you will be underwater if you go this route but you will have a beautiful great colors 356A in your collection.

2. Make it a Driver: The patina on the Meissen Blue is terrific and the engine turns over so there is an opportunity to make it a nice driver 356. It will require new pans and probably rocker panels along with engine maintenance, but there is something to be said for having a well patina’d 356A so you can drive tours and have the unique talking point of owning a 356A that is driven and enjoyed.

3. Outlaw Donor: This is the type of car that Rod Emory or another outlaw builder would find of interest. You get a 356A VIN Number and if you are doing high-end outlaw creations you are probably replacing most of the car anyways to justify the $300,000+ that these high-end Outlaw builders are creating.

We’ll keep watching this one to see where it ends up. Right now, my estimate with 2.5 hours left and a bid of $40,000, is that it sells for $55,000; cheap for a 356A project.

Or do you think it will climb to the $70,000+ of past 356A project sales?

1959 Porsche 356A Project | Bring a Trailer

Bring a Trailer Listing 1959 Porsche 356A Project https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1959-porsche-356a-1600-coupe-12/

Comments about the Car from the Facebook 356 Group Page

Tags: Porsche 356A, Porsche 356 Project