Barn-Find Porsche 356C Returned to its Original Glory

The dream of every Porsche 356 collector is a barn-find Porsche 356 and bringing it back to life. Claus Meirich had such a pleasure when he purchased this discovered 1964 Porsche 356C fro 20,000 Euros ($21,803) that had sat in a warehouse since 1975. It laid undisturbed surrounded by stacks of tires. After discovery, it then entered a two-year restoration process.

1964 Porsche 356C Barn Find

The last owner, Tire Dealer had de-registered the car 42 years ago when he parked the car in his warehouse and promptly forgot about it.

The re-discovered Porsche 356C has the rare color combination of Enamel Blue with a red interior. The engine and transmission are numbers matching and almost all the other parts were around the car. The interior was complete but mice had feasted on the carpets and seats. It was decided a full restoration would be necessary.

1964 Porsche 356C After Restoration

The restoration ultimately cost 125,000 euros ($136,256 dollars) since both the engine and body required extensive work. The complete underbody had rusted through from the road salt of winter driving. The only intact section was the center tunnel. The 75PS engine had sat for so long that there was no alternative than to complete a total overall.

The paint was applied in accordance with the works specifications of Porsche Classic. For the sake of originality, single-coat paint was applied without a clear-coat finish. According to owner Meirich, the metalwork was the most expensive item and also the task that needed most time.

The front end, battery box, door entries and sills, the complete underbody, the inner wing panels, diagonal members, axle mounts and outer door panels were renewed. Nothing was welded. Instead everything was tacked and then sealed just like in 1964.

In December 2018, the boxer engine overhauled together with the transmission, running gear and brakes as well as the interior equipment. After replacement of the seat center panels made of red brocade, the latter was as perfect again as in the petticoat era, but at the same time with a wonderful patina. Wherever possible, the team used spare parts from old stocks. The probably most celebratory moment then took place on 4 May: – the marriage of the body and engine.

After 24 months and 2,000 hours of work on the car, the blue 356C was perfectly restored by the summer producing a flawless 356 C in a rare color combination with all original documents and matching numbers confirmed by a Porsche delivery certificate.

Porsche built the 356 C and SC models between mid-1963 and April 1965. The model was decelerated by disc brakes on all wheels for the first time and can be visually distinguished by the flat wheel caps without Porsche emblem.

Attractive details in the interior of the blue car from Bochum are the original Blaupunkt Frankfurt radio and the head restraints lovingly known as “pillow rolls”. The instruments shine like they did originally, and the door openers and window cranks are parallel to each other at the correct angle of 45 degrees. On the exterior, the rare yellow Hella additional lamps catch the eye, as do the rear bumper horns through which the exhaust tailpieces are routed.

1964 Porsche 356C on the Road Again

Tags: Porsche 356C, Porsche 356, Porsche Barn Find