Porsche 356 for Sale for $50,000??!!
Updated: Aug 3, 2021
The thought of buying a running driver quality Porsche 356 for $50,000 is unheard of, but the trends of Bring-a-Trailer (BaT) says this 356 auction may be one of those bargains.
This 1964 non-original Porsche 356C is currently bid to $16,200 with two days left in the auction. Traditionally the price will normally double with two days left, but no one is going to let this Porsche 356 go for the mid-thirties. It will at least be bid up to $50,000.
If you are looking for a driver 356 then this may be your opportunity to buy at a substantially lower price from the $83,500 median price of a numbers-matching quality 356. It is not listed as a reserve sale so this one may be selling no-reserve meaning it will be a sale at whatever the top bid is.
Why is the Porsche 356 trending below the median price?
There appears to be three primary reasons:
Non-original engine and transaxle
Modifications and repairs
Low involvement from seller
Most 356 buyers are a demanding group desiring matching numbers and originality. This car features a non-matching 1.6 liter engine and such modifications as a modern stereo and added LED lights including a third stop light, disc brakes and a history of an accident and rust remediation. The title lists the car as a 1965 model but it appears to be a 1964 model. It does feature a manual crank sunroof.
The engine in the car is questioned. The seller says it is an upgraded 912 engine, but the 356 experts in the commentary say this is not possible based on the serial number and the carburetors fitted on the engine. This is the value of BaT you get “experts commentary” on specific models.
The car has been built as a driver since it is a non-original 356. The car was involved in an accident in the seventies and has undergone rust remediation repair. Dealing with rust in a 356 is not unusual. Driver modifications have been made to the 356 including the addition of disc brakes, LEC lights and modern Bluetooth stereo so the owner clearly recognizes this car is for driving fun and enjoyment. However a driver modified enhancements does bring the price down on 356 sales where originality is usually favored.
The third element that may be limiting the bids on this sale is low seller involvement. BaT favors active involved sellers commenting on the comments and providing additional information as requested by the commentators. As CLB63 commented: “Four days in and not a peep from the seller.” The seller then gets involved but the “experts” challenge many of the comments from the seller.
If Air Brigade were in the market for a driver 356 this would be one to look at. Yes, there are some questions about is it a 912 or a 356 engine, but if I am buying a $50,000 driver quality 356 does it matter?
What do you think? Will it sell for around $50,000 or will the price move up closer to the median $83,500?
Editor's Note: This 356 did eventually sell in the $50,000 range with a final sale of $58,000.
1965 Porsche 356C Coupe on Bring-a-Trailer: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-porsche-356c-11/
Tags: Porsche 356, Porsche 356 for Sale, Porsche 356 on Bring-a-Trailer BaT, Driver Porsche 356 for sale