For years in my rural community in Northeastern MN I had heard about a 356 hiding away in a garage along the shore of Lake Superior. I have been a German car fan since i purchased my first, a '71 VW Fastback when i was 17, and over the years have owned all sorts of air and water cooled VW's. In college, my best friend had a 88 911 that i got to use to run errands and take on dates. Since then, i've been trying to make that fantastic upgrade to the Porsche family. I've always loved the 356, but as I've watched prices escalate I'd come to accept that I was more in the market for a 912, or perhaps an SC 911. Watching and waiting.
I pulled into the shop space i rent for my business last Spring and sitting there is a dusty, but remarkably intact 356C. It was the fabled 356 I'd heard about. My landlord was crating up the engine, and dropping the 912 engine which was in the car, and sending them both off to be rebuilt. I had the chance to look over the car, and find out, after 25 years in storage, the original owners son (who's in his late 70's) was getting ready to get the car back on the road. Several months later, a fresh 356 motor arrived at the shop, and my landlord, knowing my interest in the car, informed me the owner had decided to sell it and it was gone. I was dissapointed to know the car would be leaving, but figured, it was out of my league anyway, so the search would continue for my first Porsche.
In mid April of this year, the owner stopped by to talk to my landlord and i mentioned the 356 and its recent sale. He said, the sale fell through, as the would-be-buyer offered him $5000, which he knew was ridiculous. I got distracted by a phone call, but he stock his head in my shop before he left and said "Even if it's not you, if you know someone who would be interested, I'd like to get $XXXXX for the car. The amount was half of what i thought he'd ask. I played it cool, and called a few days later asking if i could come out and take a closer look. I did, and gave him his full asking price. I finally got my Porsche.
So, here i am. I have most all of the original documentation, including the factory inspection tag. I have added it to the Registry, and feel like the luckiest SOB to join your group. Chassis number is #218841
Total miles on the body are 62,952. It's a little crunchy here and there, with an accident on the passenger side in '72 which lead to a pretty terrible repaint.
I'm mounting some new tires, going through the fuel and brake systems, and am dropping the engine in next week.
I am looking long term in regards to doing the needed bodywork and repaint, but for now, will be taking my two little kids out driving the curvy Northwoods roads and letting them smell that German car smell, and listen to that unmistakable sound and feel of an air cooled Porsche. Any and all advice is welcome!
very cool story and great find!
