Best place to buy a good 356?

356 Porsche-related discussions and questions.
Post Reply

Best place to find a good 356

From a 356 Registry Member
24
77%
From a Porsche swap meet
1
3%
From ebay
0
No votes
From an online Porsche Dealer (i.e. europeancollectibles.com)
6
19%
 
Total votes: 31

Message
Author
Rick Cicciarelli
356 Fan
Posts: 35
Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:21 pm
Location: Ithaca, N.Y.

Best place to buy a good 356?

#1 Post by Rick Cicciarelli »

Where would you say would be the best place to find a "good" 356? "Good" meaning, original, no bondo, proper paperwork/matching numbers, properly restored, and pay a reasonable market value(or less)?

-From a 356 Registry member
-From a Porsche swap meet
-From ebay
-From an online Porsche dealer (i.e. Europeancollectibles.com)
-Other??

User avatar
Jon Finkelstein
356 Fan
Posts: 132
Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:33 pm
Location: Toronto

Best place to buy a good 356?

#2 Post by Jon Finkelstein »

Hi Rick.

I think this is a topic where lots of people will have differing opinions.

For me, I think buying from a registry member is a good idea. They usually
have a good understanding of the car and will represent it honestly.

Having said that, I bought my 64SC Coupe from European Collectibles and was
extremely satisfied with the transaction. While I certainly paid more
because I bought through a dealer, I felt it was worth the trade-off. They
prepped the car properly and took care of all the small things discovered in
the PPI because they have the facility to do so. There were also a few
things extra I wanted done to the car prior to delivery, and, of course, EC
was able to oblige.

Naturally, with any purchase, you'll want to arrange a PPI.

In the end, it's whatever makes you the most comfortable. I am NOT a DIYr.
So I preferred to buy a car from a dealer who knows these cars and could
address any needs on the spot. You may be different.

Good luck,

Jon


On 4/17/08 9:05 AM, "Rick Cicciarelli" <rpc9@cornell.edu> wrote:
Where would you say would be the best place to find a "good" 356? "Good"
meaning, original, no bondo, proper paperwork/matching numbers, properly
restored, and pay a reasonable market value(or less)?

-From a 356 Registry member
-From a Porsche swap meet
-From ebay
-From an online Porsche dealer (i.e. Europeancollectibles.com)
-Other??






-- 
Jon Finkelstein, Partner - Creative

GRIP LIMITED
179 John Street, 6th Floor, Toronto, Ontario  M5T 1X4
(phone) 416 341 7217  (cell) 416 550 6844  (fax) 416 593 8951
(email) jonfinkelstein@griplimited.com

Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail transmission is intended only for the
person(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain confidential or legally
privileged information, and the sender does not waive any related rights and
obligations. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution or taking of
action on its contents is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and
delete this message without reading, copying or forwarding it to anyone.

Post generated using Mail2Forum via email.
Jon Finkelstein
64 SC Coupe
Reg # 18992

User avatar
Barry Brisco
356 Fan
Posts: 3977
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2008 4:41 pm
Tag: Porsche enthusiast
Location: San Francisco
Contact:

Best place to buy a good 356?

#3 Post by Barry Brisco »

It is possible to find a "good" car anywhere. Look everywhere!

Barry

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Where would you say would be the best place to find a "good" 356?
"Good" meaning, original, no bondo, proper paperwork/matching
numbers, properly restored, and pay a reasonable market value(or
less)?

-From a 356 Registry member
-From a Porsche swap meet
-From ebay
-From an online Porsche dealer (i.e. Europeancollectibles.com)
-Other??




-------------------- m2f --------------------

To contact an administrator admin@356registry.com
To unsubscribe go to http://www.356registry.com/forum/m2f_usercp.php
Read this topic online here:
http://356registry.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3054#3054

-------------------- m2f --------------------
Post generated using Mail2Forum via email.
Barry Brisco
1959 356A Coupe 105553, Ivory / Brown
2009 987 Cayman, Carrera White / Beige (daily driver)

Robert Kenton
356 Fan
Posts: 169
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:33 pm
Location: Pebble Beach, CA

Re: Best place to buy a good 356?

#4 Post by Robert Kenton »

Jon Finkelstein wrote:Hi Rick.

I think this is a topic where lots of people will have differing opinions.

For me, I think buying from a registry member is a good idea. They usually
have a good understanding of the car and will represent it honestly.

Having said that, I bought my 64SC Coupe from European Collectibles and was
extremely satisfied with the transaction. While I certainly paid more
because I bought through a dealer, I felt it was worth the trade-off. They
prepped the car properly and took care of all the small things discovered in
the PPI because they have the facility to do so. There were also a few
things extra I wanted done to the car prior to delivery, and, of course, EC
was able to oblige.

Naturally, with any purchase, you'll want to arrange a PPI.

In the end, it's whatever makes you the most comfortable. I am NOT a DIYr.
So I preferred to buy a car from a dealer who knows these cars and could
address any needs on the spot. You may be different.

Good luck,

Jon


On 4/17/08 9:05 AM, "Rick Cicciarelli" <rpc9> wrote:
Where would you say would be the best place to find a "good" 356? "Good"
meaning, original, no bondo, proper paperwork/matching numbers, properly
restored, and pay a reasonable market value(or less)?

-From a 356 Registry member
-From a Porsche swap meet
-From ebay
-From an online Porsche dealer (i.e. Europeancollectibles.com)
-Other??

Jon- I also recently bought an SC coupe from EC, and would ditto all of your comments; overall a positive experience. I would buy from them again.




-- 
Jon Finkelstein, Partner - Creative

GRIP LIMITED
179 John Street, 6th Floor, Toronto, Ontario  M5T 1X4
(phone) 416 341 7217  (cell) 416 550 6844  (fax) 416 593 8951
(email) jonfinkelstein@griplimited.com

Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail transmission is intended only for the
person(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain confidential or legally
privileged information, and the sender does not waive any related rights and
obligations. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution or taking of
action on its contents is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and
delete this message without reading, copying or forwarding it to anyone.

Post generated using Mail2Forum via email.
Robert W. Kenton

Michael Eker

Post subject: Re: Best place to buy a good 356?

#5 Post by Michael Eker »

There are 5 main categories of 356. ( and all variations in between)

1. Professionally restored and correct concours show cars.
2. Badly restored and incorrect drivers.
3. Barn find original,correct, and complete "discoveries"
4. Incomplete, partially stripped, rusted out, wrecks.
5. Bondo cars full of filler and bad welding , usually to be seen on eBay.

You can discount 2,4, and 5 as they will cost too much to put right.

That leaves 1 and 3.

Taking 3 first if the car is unmolested you will find that the restoration is enjoyable, expensive, and rewarding. You will be most unlikely to make a profit though if the work is done properly.

That leaves 1. Investors and speculators pay vast amounts for these cars and they are beyond the reach of most enthusiasts including me. In fact there are web sites devoted to buying classic cars as an inflation hedge.

Apparently Sir Elton John made a bundle when he sold his collection.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3181792.stm

I would go for option 3.

Meker

User avatar
Alex Mestas
356 Fan
Posts: 1128
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:02 pm
Tag: It’s only a hobby.
Location: Southern California

Where to buy a 356

#6 Post by Alex Mestas »

SPOT ON!

I agree with Michael's assessment of where the best place to find a 356. For me it was # 3. That's the way I did it. It started out as a daily driver almost 30 years ago, It was my primary car for over 10 years, but I always had the intention of keeping it and "preserving it" rather than turning it into a concours "Trailer Queen" and being afraid to drive it.

Those of us that own these 356's realized the beauty, style and engineering of these Tubs would endure the test of time. My 356 has never failed me in that respect, nor have I ever regretted the decision to keep it, even though we've all faced some tough economic times in our lives, getting married, raising kids, it would have been so easy to just sell it. I glad I never did. For some of us our son's or even daughters have also developed such an appreciation for these cars that they feel the same way (hopefully). So the likelihood of this car leaving the family would be rare.

So it all depends on what you want. For me it's not restoring it to be concours, but to be as functional and correct as it was the day it was first purchased or taken off the showroom floor. The enjoyment of just being able to drive it, preserve it, and tinker with it, whenever I want is my stress reliever. I love reading the forum because the collective knowledge of its members is incredible. The knowledge and experience is truly unparalleled. I learn something new everyday! Michael's articulated my feelings precisely!

Thanks,
1963 356 T-6 Coupe Signal Red.
1973.5 911 T Coupe Ivory.
1989 911 Carrera Targa Grd Prix White.

User avatar
John Chatley
356 Fan
Posts: 75
Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:14 pm
Location: Michigan
Contact:

Where to buy a 356

#7 Post by John Chatley »

Mike,

I think you forgot another category that would fall between #s 1 & 2:
Acceptably restored good-excellent driver, usually cared for by another 356 enthusiast. Not perfect, but fun!!

BTW, there are fewer barns these days and even fewer barn finds than previously, but there are more enthusiasts now that can help others and make new friends.

Thanks, John
John Chatley #6578
Convertible D Registry
www.convertibledregistry.com

Guest

Between category 1 and 2

#8 Post by Guest »

You hit the nail right on the head. That category is probably what we all refer to as the "10-footer." Like mine, I mean. Jim Slawson

Michael Eker

barn finds

#9 Post by Michael Eker »

See:

http://www.intuh.net/barnfinds/

There is a listing at:

http://www.sportscarmarket.com/portugesebarnfind.pdf

The 356 isn't a C though.

Meker

Post Reply