Which year 356 to purchase

356 Porsche-related discussions and questions.
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Al Cole
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Re: Which year 356 to purchase

#61 Post by Al Cole »

Again, before sending a deposit on the red C in question, google Dusty Cars llc Pleasanton. Click on "recently sold" and you can view a nice video of the car driving thru the vineyards.
AL Cole
'62 S-90 Cabrio.
'64 C Coupe
Paris Mtn., S.C.

Scott Ramsay
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Re: Which year 356 to purchase

#62 Post by Scott Ramsay »

Thank you for all the advice. I have come across 2 1963 S Coupes all original and in good driving condition (one of them is the red one on the registry). However they both obviously have drum brakes. The upside is I can get them for the right price and I still have room to paint the color of my choice (likely Bali Blue). And I can pick them up now....after 6 months of searching and waiting. The downside is they do not have disc brakes. and from what the masses are saying a "daily driver" would be better using a '64 or '65. I saw the 1965 SC on Hemmings just go pending for $62,500, but it was burgundy...not even a Porsche color! Let's keep posting and i'll keep thinking and searching. Thank you all again!

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Martin Benade
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Re: Which year 356 to purchase

#63 Post by Martin Benade »

Disc brakes are more modern and better but most of us with drums in perfect condition are perfectly happy with them. If you are not on a racetrack, they are just about as good as the discs.
Cleveland Ohio
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Adam Wright
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Re: Which year 356 to purchase

#64 Post by Adam Wright »

Martin Benade wrote:Disc brakes are more modern and better but most of us with drums in perfect condition are perfectly happy with them. If you are not on a racetrack, they are just about as good as the discs.
I agree Big B drums have plenty of stopping power. The only complaint I've ever heard about drums was A drums on the track tend to heat up and you get brake fade, or diminishing returns from the pedal, but the bigger finned B brakes I've never heard a complaint. But like Martin said, if they are set up well.
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Tom Tate
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Re: BaT Record

#65 Post by Tom Tate »

I know that the car came with "Skirmants history" but many of us were happy to see Vic & Barbs blue '64 C bring $119.356 on Bring a Trailer last night. Certainly a sign that prices for great cars are continuing to rise. But then if you've been looking for a car for the last few months you already know that. Based on what I've seen the last few months I'd say that the demand is still there. Maybe it's the time of year but I have a list of folks looking for Tubs and there just isn't much out there at last years prices. I think in the case of Vic's car it was a point of paying more to get more. It seems that few have the energy to begin a long term project. They just want to write a check and drive away to enjoy the car now , not later. KTF

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Mark Roth
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Re: Which year 356 to purchase

#66 Post by Mark Roth »

Put a front disc brake kit on the car. Three bolts each wheel. You keep all the old drum parts so nothing lost. Very simple except bleeding the dual master cylinder. This subject has been thoroughly discussed in this forum.
ZIMs has one. Several years ago, I put the CSP version on a 62 notchback I owned.
https://www.csp-shop.com/en/wheels-brak ... 5463a.html
Needs a dual master cylinder. Get a DMC kit from Klasse 356 or ZIMs. Needs a new reservoir. Maybe a BMW 2002 as I have on my C. This subject has been thoroughly discussed in this forum.
I was my experience that the notchback braked as well as my C, if not better.
Mark Roth
65 C Cab (Black/black)

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Martin Benade
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Re: Which year 356 to purchase

#67 Post by Martin Benade »

Just a note, big B brakes and smaller A brakes are the same size, and use the same shoes and cylinders.
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Jon Schmid
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Re: Which year 356 to purchase

#68 Post by Jon Schmid »

"I have a B and a C and I will say the C brakes are unbeatable."
I posted this on April 27 but I want to say that the drum brakes on my B are fine. If you find a good B model, don't let the drum brakes kill the deal if everything else is in order. Good luck.

Scott Ramsay
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Re: Which year 356 to purchase

#69 Post by Scott Ramsay »

Great comments. I am now open to a 1963-1965, although I would still prefer a 1964 or 1965 and numbers matching. I think I am getting close!

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Charles H Jacobus
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Re: Which year 356 to purchase

#70 Post by Charles H Jacobus »

I've had a '63 normal, a '61 S-90 and a '65C. I like the C the most. Very drivable, good power, good brakes, tracks straight, much better heater and comfortable to ride in. You probably will get a '64 at a lower price, there were only 1101 of the '65s made.

Chuck
Current:
2012 Silver 991
1995 Midnight blue 993
1965 Red 356C

Past:
Fond memories of 14 others (including a '63 Normal and a 61 S90) :)

Rhys and Karisa Haydon
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Re: Which year 356 to purchase

#71 Post by Rhys and Karisa Haydon »

I use a 64 C as my daily this time of year, and try to use it as much as possible year round here in Seattle. We also have a 56 that I am hoping will take over summer daily duties. I think that the earlier A cars are lighter than the C cars and, if set up properly, I haven't had any crazy experiences where I was unable to stop in the A and wished I had the disc brakes.

I echo what others have said, find a car that speaks to you and that's the correct one. I also missed where you are located? We have a pretty 63 S90 for sale locally in you price range that's a beautiful driver! I also believe that prices are rising, and will climb throughout the summer months. We were originally searching for an A car, but by the time we finally ponied up the money all we could afford was a C. Took us a couple years to save back up before we finally realized the dream of an A!

Looking forward to your purchase, whatever year you end up with!
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Doug McDonnell
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Re: Which year 356 to purchase

#72 Post by Doug McDonnell »

He is in St Paul Minnesota
1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

Scott Ramsay
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Re: Which year 356 to purchase

#73 Post by Scott Ramsay »

Thank you everybody! After a lot of thought and discussions with many Registry members I have settled on a 1963-1965 for my new daily driver. I made an offer on one, but the PPI was not good so offering on another one tomorrow. Hope this one sticks!

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John Lindstrom
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Re: Which year 356 to purchase

#74 Post by John Lindstrom »

Any 356 made prior to December of 1959 has the cool front on it. Some people get a like a 64 and then weld a 59 front onto it.

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Charles H Jacobus
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Re: Which year 356 to purchase

#75 Post by Charles H Jacobus »

Scott Ramsay wrote:Thank you everybody! After a lot of thought and discussions with many Registry members I have settled on a 1963-1965 for my new daily driver. I made an offer on one, but the PPI was not good so offering on another one tomorrow. Hope this one sticks!
Good luck, Scott; it's not easy getting a good one that you don't have to spend a bunch on for an affordable price.

Chuck
Current:
2012 Silver 991
1995 Midnight blue 993
1965 Red 356C

Past:
Fond memories of 14 others (including a '63 Normal and a 61 S90) :)

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