Professor Porsche's Modell 356 is among the World's most desirable classic sports cars, combining genius of design with driving pleasure unequalled by any other car on the road.
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Steadily refined during 16 years of manufacture, the 356's final incarnation, the fabulous "C" model of 1964-65 with four-wheel disc brakes delivers contemporary motoring abilities to the most discriminating connoisseur. Here's a classic car that you can drive on a daily basis!
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This particular 356 has been a resident of sunny southern California since it was sold new to a San Diego physician. Always promptly tended to by Dieter's in San Diego, this 3-owner 356 is the proverbial survivor: it's a 42 year-old California Porsche that's as rust-free as they come!
But the good news doesn't stop here; several interesting options make this outstanding 356 even more desirable:
- Genuine leather seats,
- PORSCHE air conditioner,
- Speedster side trim,
- Shift lock,
- Touring spares kit, and
- Chrome luggage rack.
Porsche 356 bodies were manufactured by different coachbuilders: Drauz, Karmann, D'Ieteren, Beutler, and Reutter.
Let's now inspect this magnificent Porsche thoroughly, inside and out, starting with the trunk.
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This Porsche's trunk is as clean as it gets. A truly unusual item is the super rare air conditioner unit residing here. Close inspection of the front sheetmetal does not reveal any prior damage: this 356 has never been in harm's way! The largely unprotected "nose"--spare tire and battery's residence--is free of corrosion.
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Apart from the date-coded spare in the trunk, the 356 comes with its original Driver's Manual, tool kit, correct BILSTEIN tire jack with rubber donut, and another super rare item, the optional "Touring Spares" kit containing a valve and valve spring, spark plugs, seals, gaskets, bulbs, a fan belt, and a few additional bits. Now you're truly ready for that cross-country trip!
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Of utmost importance on any vintage car, but particularly on the vulnerable unibody Porsche 356, is the integrity of its body. Determining factors are straightness, uniform gaps and shut lines, and absence of rust. Our California "C" Coupé fares exceedingly well in all areas. There are no bubbles, scrapes, scratches, or dings. It's an amazing survivor, sporting a smooth and lustrous Signal Red finish. Optional alloy Speedster side trim adds an exciting touch.
Chrome wheels are still presentable, hub caps are excellent, tires are very good, too.
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Some exterior details, from left to right:
- Superb chrome plating everywhere
- Pefect hood fit
- New weatherstripping, even on rear quarter windows
- Valuable LEITZ luggage rack
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The sporting 356C, a timeless classic automobile.
Let's take a look inside now!
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First impression: excellent, perforated headliner, nice sun visors, and working interior lights.
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This cockpit impresses with unmolested originality. From the large, three-spoke steering wheel, to the chrome-bezelled gauges, black knobs, and painted metal dash, everything oozes character. Though the car retains its original 6-Volt configuration, the radio was updated to a later-model BLAUPUNKT Cassette unit, using an inverter, leaving the original dash opening intact.
Note the well-preserved, original, ribbed rubber floor mats.
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More details:
- Super-rare PORSCHE air conditioner control panel
- Shift lock with original keys
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Comfortable front seats show off their pricelessly patinated, black leather upholstery.
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Rear area with individually folding occasional seats looks inviting and unused. Everything, from the small seat cushions to the pleated side panels, appears faultlessly stock, exuding genuine German Gemütlichkeit. Carpeting throughout passenger compartment is made of the correct, gray-black wool Haargarn Schlingenware.
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Ready for a test drive?
So are we! Before we take off, there are two more important areas to inspect, though: engine compartment and undercarriage.
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Beneath the twin grille deck lid lives the original, matching numbers, 4-cylinder boxer motor. This engineering marvel delivers 88 (SAE) horses, plenty of get up and go for such a lightweight (2,100 lbs.) and aerodynamic Sports Coupé. Engine No. P *715 421* is the original, Kardex-matching unit (case 616/15), has been rebuilt. A/C compressor is hooked up and functional; the unit has not been updated to the current R134 refrigerant. Thankfully, the engine doesn't leak at all, giving testimony to the care it has always received and the way it has been treated: with respect!
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Down below, all's well. Some of the thin, original undercoating has disappeared through the decades, but the demon rust has not been able to gain a foothold. These factory floor pans are as good as gold! It certainly pays to wait for a dry Porsche that has never needed surgery . . .
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Let's get going now, we can't bear to wait any longer!
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Driving this exhilarating Porsche will really elevate your heartbeat!
356 always starts easily, without huffing and puffing. Throttle response is crisp, the engine sounding great as it revs to redline, abundant power signaling a thoroughly healthy motor. Of course, the four-speed manual transmission is easy to shift and the four-wheel disc brakes deliver the ultimate in stopping power, on par with an early 911. No wonder the "C" is King of the Hill among the early Porsches!
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On a sunny and cool January day here in the Southland, we put the 45 year-old car through its paces: all lights and gauges work, it's quick, handles great, and sounds even better. Certainly not a trailer queen, this well-tuned "C" drives every bit as good as it looks.
'Nuff said!
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Dirk-Michael Conrad, in his excellent book "Porsche 356 - Driving in its purest form," writes on page 218:
