Barry,
Again not a stupid question to raise concerning the current prices you might have to pay. In the late 60's I bought my 356A super RHD coupe for £440- I still have the car and have seen the uplift in price take place over a period of 48 years. Slowly at first but then all of sudden with Porsche doing well in motor sport, the 911 and its various models proving of interest the earlier 356 cars cars started to interest people. Even in the mid 70's you could buy a running 356 ( I bought one ) for around £250- so it was no surprise to me that in the 80's and 90's they really started to rise.
Because so many over here rusted away, they became more of a rare sight on the roads, but still liked for competition. So then normal insurances had to changed to ' agreed value ' the cars started to be restored properly and those costs were high. When resto costs of say £35K were around, quite a few years ago now, the owners wanted tom see a return on the their investments and these cars looked good and so sold at prices I found hard to believe.
The models too affect price, the speedster and cabs, as well as very early 356 cars command fortunes today so if we keep the price idea to 356A cars and only to the coupe it might prove more factual to you.
In my opinion only, the 58-59 T2 356A coupe was the model with the latest developments. The T1 is very similar but I liked the idea of having the latest possible technology for 356A cars.
A RHD 356AT2 with super ( 75 bhp ) coupe will command over here more than a LHD drive normal engined car. RHD cars are rare these days.
Figures you see around gained from auction sites, etc etc, seem to say the following for 356 A coupe
1). A car needing much restoration all over but complete £30 - £40,000
2). A car in good running condition but certainly not perfect £ 60 - £75,000
3). A perfect example show type car £120 - £140,000
All the figures above are dependant on how the car was equipped with accessories who did the restoration, the history, and if all numbers match up. Many variables even down to original paint colour and interior colour being used.
It all in the eye of the beholder and how much cash they have in their pocket. But Barry, the days of a bargain at £20,000 are gone I reckon. These cars are not easy to fully restore bodywork wise. It can be done but you need clever guys doing it and it takes time if the car is really rusty.
Now, all you guys can shoot me down with those figures everyone has their ideas
Roy
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