1964 Porsche 356C Coupe Review and Buyer's Guide

I am always interested in the idle speed of a 356, as a fast idle can indicate carburetor or distributor problems or even hide a troubling rod knock

The 356 is in many ways the ultimate iconic Porsche for collectors. While the 911 has become so common that they blend in with modern traffic, and even my Mom knows what they are, when a 356 goes by, it’s clearly something very different, and very special. The C, as the final development of the 356, incorporates all the drivability and durability upgrades developed over a 17-year model run, which makes the C a great car to drive and enjoy.

In our November issue, we profiled a 356C Coupe that sold at the RM Meadowbrook, MI, sale in August for $15,951. Here we examine a 356C coupe that sold at the Kruse no reserve Sale in Auburn, IN, this November for $24,300 (including buyer’s premium). Two cars of the same model, but two very different prices. Why?

In the end, it’s condition. And here’s how I go about determining the condition of a 356 when I’m evaluating it for SCM.

In my first walk-around of a 356, I always start by checking the body lines. How well do the doors fit? Are the gaps even? Do the doors follow the complex contours of the body openings? The hood is very hard to fit on a 356. Each hood is somewhat different, because restorers have found that the hoods—and doors and engine covers—do not interchange perfectly between cars.

I found an excellent hood, but a lousy engine cover. This was curious, because it is generally easy to get the engine cover to fit, as it is a fairly small and rigid stamping. I felt it could be made right and repainted without a great deal of expense.

The driver’s door was excellent. The passenger door was good, except at the lower edge, where the door stood out a bit from the rocker panel. This is often a problem area in 356s. The door frames and outer door skins were sealed with a soft goop that became brittle and hard after several years, which then allowed water to enter the seam, and eventually rusted the door from the inside out. Repairs, if not done very carefully, result in slightly fatter door bottoms, which then stick out.

Along with my look at the body panels, I am interested in the quality of the paint job, which in this case was Light Ivory, with the proper gold/tan highlights.

Older paint jobs are always interesting, because any flaws, even small ones, tell a story about how carefully the car was painted. Rust or paint bubbles speak of poor preparation. Cracks through the paint hint at improperly applied filler. This older paint job was holding up very well.

This car had nothing special in the way of options. No sunroof, no wood wheel, no radio. But it did have a superbly finished interior in dark blue leather with correct light gray/blue square-weave carpets. This quality interior added tremendously to the overall feel and value of the car. The paint on the dash was well done, the instruments apparently rebuilt, the steering wheel correct and original, and the rubber floor mats were in good condition. The door jambs were also finished nicely; the original body builder’s tag was present showing the color code for Light Ivory.

A look in the front trunk showed everything in place, including the plastic gas tank cover mat, spare tire, jack and a partial tool kit. The engine was a correct original C engine, and well-detailed. I listened to the car run and it sounded fine at idle, with all four cylinders seeming to fire evenly. I am always interested in the idle of a Porsche, as a fast idle speed can indicate carburetor or distributor problems or even hide a troubling rod knock. This car idled at a low speed, smoothly and quietly.

Given that this was Auburn, IN, not exactly a known watering hole for Porsche enthusiasts, I thought I might be able to sneak in and steal the car. Alas, every other Porschephile in the state was clearly at this event. To my amazement, the opening bid was a high $17,500, and the following bids quickly moved up to the sale price. The bidders in the crowd knew this car was a quality piece, and weren’t afraid to bid accordingly.

In my judgment, the price paid was a just a few ticks below full retail, fair to both buyer and seller. But more importantly, here is a carefully restored car to drive and enjoy. Was it worth $10,000 more than the car at MeadowBrook? I think so, as that car was just a driver, and the Kruse car was in far better condition.

So the new owners have a classic Porsche that will turn heads wherever they go. They will be able to have fun on twisting mountain roads as well as cruise on the expressway. And it’s unlikely they’ll have to buy anything but gas and insurance. When they go to sell the car, chances are they will get most of their money back. Now doesn’t all of that add up to a near-ideal collector-car experience?—Jim Schrager