Opinions on these 36's for sale

[70sThrowback]

Hi All,

A friend is looking into buying a 356 and was chatting to a guy who is currently selling 2 of his collection through Border Reivers. I am aware of some recent feedback about Border Reivers and SOR, but he would buy from the owner directly. Can you let me know your thoughts on these please

https://borderreivers.co/portfolio/porsche-356a-rhd-3/
Price I think is £150k, its a lot of money but is rally spec and means you have the option to enter the Mille Miglia or even Goodwood Revival. This is something that my friend is potentially interested in doing

https://borderreivers.co/portfolio/porsche-356c-rhd/
Price for this one is less but still well over £100k. Very different from the first one but is completely stock and very original.

Now I am not close to the 356 market, but my thoughts are both of these are over-priced. But given you guys are the experts rather than my giving bad advice I wanted to ask on this forum instead. Also if anyone knows of any honest 356's out there please let me know

Thanks in advance

[Ashley James]

They say the C is the best driving 356 because it has disc brakes, more compliant suspension and a stiffer anti-roll bar. I have one and it is a very good drive compared to most contemporaries.

The example in question is original, unmolested and well priced for an RHD, so it’s the one I’d pick.

I’d never buy a modified car because they’re rarely without problems, fashions change and returning one to original will cost a great deal.

[hot66]

The C is a colour change though so not all original

[mycar]

Just to throw a spanner in the works.... given a choice my preference would be for the A. More money, but it's a buyers market now and the car's been for sale for a while. Surely there's deal to be done.

Makes me go weak at the knees.

https://borderreivers.co/portfolio/porsche-356a-rhd/



Edit, Does anyone know what that colour would be ?

[70sThrowback]

Thanks for the feedback so far, so I guess what you are saying is that the prices are strong but not over the top. I thought I had seen cars for sale under £100k more like £85k and still in good original condition. Perhaps these had other issues which is what brought the price down.

[Ashley James]

Thanks for the feedback so far, so I guess what you are saying is that the prices are strong but not over the top. I thought I had seen cars for sale under £100k more like £85k and still in good original condition. Perhaps these had other issues which is what brought the price down.

Condition of different fifty plus year old cars varies wildly and all descriptions suggest near perfection, so only by looking can you tell. Not only that but dealers command premium prices that often aren’t supported by guarantees or anything else, they’re just taking commission.

There’s not much to a 356, so try and find a local expert to look at it with you to decide how much you’ll have to spend to sort it.

[hot66]

PRS have some for sale too

https://www.prs356.co.uk/cars-for-sale/

[Sam]

Mille Miglia or even Goodwood Revival. This is something that my friend is potentially interested in doing

There’s a vast difference between being eligible for something prestigious and getting an entry.

If you analyse what goes round Goodwood it’s the same cars year after year or it’s an owner/driver with connections.

I’d not suggest buying that first car on the assumption you’d get to drive it in prestigious historic events. Unless your friend knows the right people of course.

I would, however, buy it because As look utterly beautiful and Cs look awkward and top heavy.

[neilbardsley]

Mille Miglia or even Goodwood Revival. This is something that my friend is potentially interested in doing

There’s a vast difference between being eligible for something prestigious and getting an entry.

If you analyse what goes round Goodwood it’s the same cars year after year or it’s an owner/driver with connections.

I’d not suggest buying that first car on the assumption you’d get to drive it in prestigious historic events. Unless your friend knows the right people of course.

I would, however, buy it because As look utterly beautiful and Cs look awkward and top heavy.

Indeed my 56 is eligible for the Mille Miglia but I suspect < 1% chance of getting in (if I had eur 15k spare). The Type 64 was turned away.

[takeflight]

Looked into the Mille Miglia, came to the conclusion, you either have to be a star, have a star car, which probably means you have to be a star to afford one, be invited by Mercedes to drive one of their 300sl, see above. But there is one way assuming you have a suitable car, apply for a diamond, gold or whatever they now call it, entrance package. it’s on their web site, last time I looked it was around 60,000 euro entrance fee.

Apprently the Porsche Type 64 got refused ! And as already been said if you watch a few years on YouTube, it always seems the same cars and people.
Think the best way is like hill climber and Harry on YouTube did it, which hope to do next year.

[oldtimer]

In reply to the original post , buying a 'good' 356 is not a straightforward proposition if you don't know much about them .

If your friend can take time to go to events where 356 owners have gathered and ask questions and look at different cars that would be ideal ! There are about 200 356s registered with Porsche Club GB so being a PCGB member would help . A good turn out at an event however would be 20 cars , there was an event last Sunday ( 11 Aug ) '356 Tour of the Midlands' at which 15 cars turned up , I took a non 356 Porsche owner along as passenger for the '356 experience' !

Next opportunity to see a gathering of 356s is at Goodwood this Saturday ( 17 Aug ) 'KG Porsche' , a bit far from Yorkshire , but then most 356s ( and the garages that look after them ) are in the South of England .

There is also a lot of knowledge of do's and don'ts and maybe leads to some good cars at the specialist (independent ) Porsche garages , the names that stand out for 356s are Roger Bray , PRS ( Paul and Mike Smith ) , Jaz ( Steve Winter )

I have just sold an excellent 1964 356C which was valued at £100,000 , this would sit in the category of not quite concours but an excellent drivers car that had had a lot (about £50,000) spent on it over the last 15 years , by previous owners .
Most people would say that the value was too high and you could get a reasonable car for less - true - but when a 356 is just right like Goldilock's breakfast you don't want anything else.....unfortunately buying an excellent 356 now is out of reach of the majority of enthusiasts . If your friend is young advise him to wait a few (5?) years when these cars are likely to be significantly cheaper than today . If he can't wait then he needs some good advice before investing.

[Sam]

If your friend is young advise him to wait a few (5?) years when these cars are likely to be significantly cheaper than today . If he can't wait then he needs some good advice before investing.

What’s your thoughts behind this?

I’ll be nearer 50 than 40 in 5 years time so prime 356 buying age and would love to think £50k might buy me one by then...

[Ashley James]

I’d definitely go and see PRS, they eat sleep and breath the cars and really know their stuff. I think they’d inspire confidence and make sure you get the right car.

[oldtimer]

If your friend is young advise him to wait a few (5?) years when these cars are likely to be significantly cheaper than today . If he can't wait then he needs some good advice before investing.

What’s your thoughts behind this?

I’ll be nearer 50 than 40 in 5 years time so prime 356 buying age and would love to think £50k might buy me one by then...

Hi Sam , can you define 'prime 356 buying age ' for me first ? ( what is special about being almost 50 with respect to 356s )

[mycar]

Hi All,

A friend is looking into buying a 356 and was chatting to a guy who is currently selling 2 of his collection through Border Reivers. I am aware of some recent feedback about Border Reivers and SOR, but he would buy from the owner directly. Can you let me know your thoughts on these please

Has your friend seen many 356s ? I'm in Harrogate and have an A if you'd like to come and have poke about and a drive out. My car isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination but I use it most days through the summer and it's a practical and reliable car which serves as a good example of what to/what not to buy. I have a lift so you can have a wander round underneath and see what's what.

If your friend doesn't already have a copy I recommend 'Buying, Driving and Enjoying the Porsche '356 by James E Schrager. Probably find it on Amazon.