1958 356A

[SRT Hellcat]

I think very few people would deny that the 356 in particular the A model is one of the prettiest Porsche's ever made.
I have thought about going the 356 route for many years but never got around to seriously looking or thinking of pulling the trigger.
Having driven countless Porsche's over the years the one model I have never driven was the 356.
Two weeks ago I got a phone call from my very good friend to say that one had come up for sale. A 1958 356A. A car that had been known to him for many years and with a history file two foot thick. He sent me some pictures and I went to look at it a week ago Friday. Not so much to inspect it as I have implicit trust in him but to actually drive one and make sure I could fit in it. My other half came with me of course. We both loved it. I was surprised just how torquey the little 1600cc motor was. The experience was just an awakening. Driving a car that completely involves you in the process of just driving a car. Quite incredible. I collected the car this Friday just gone and drove it back home. A nice run of some 80 odd miles. What a joy. 70mph in top gps verified is bang on 12 o'clock on the rev counter. So easy to measure your speed through the cameras and it really does nip along very well. I really am looking forward to many smiles per gallon. I was out in the car yesterday and I just cannot help but grin. Even had a couple of Boxters coming the other way giving me a wave. What a delight. Incredible fun at sensible speed. I wish I had pulled the trigger many years ago. I now completely get the whole 356 thing. Awesome little car

[LemonTart]

Ooh that’s a lovely little thing.

Congratulations

[80sMatchbox]

That looks superb! The A looks so much better than the later models.

[Cheib]

Lovely ! 356’s are something I am currently very interested in. I was lucky enough to drive a 356 A, 356 SC (both Coupe’s) and a 356 Super 90 Roadster last week and a passenger ride in a pre A Speedster. The A Coupe was very original (still has the original interior) but the rest all had very recent and top class restorations.

It was very interesting comparing the models/how they’d evolved which was a pretty big difference. The 356 A I drove was I was told a particularly well sorted example, gearbox was longer throw than the other’s but had more character for it and lovely to use. Engine was running Weber’s which I believe wasn’t standard but apparently makes a big difference to the driveability.

Currently thinking about buying one and trying to decide which was to go...Coupe or Roadster(don’t want a Cab as don’t like the lines). Speedster is too much and I don’t fit !

Edited by Cheib on Tuesday 30th June 08:41

[PTT]

Congrats. What a gorgeous looking car.
1058 Porsche 356 still on my bucketlist, drove one many years ago for one day, had so much fun.

[Taffy66]

Beautiful little car and so much more enjoyable and relevant on today's speed restricted congested roads compared to new Turbo fast cars.

[mrtwisty]

Lovely. My uncle has one that he bought about 30 years ago as a bit of a wreck and has lovingly restored it (including sending a flake of the original paint off for analysis and reproduction if my memory serves me correctly). He and my Aunt do classic rallies in it across the continent - I've always been impressed that they actually use it, unlike so many trailer queens out there.

Just looked at current prices Old Rick made the right move there!

Why do the cabrio's seem to fetch double or more than the coupe's?

[richterswil]

Enjoy - looks stunning. Lovely, lovely car.

[Cheib]

mrtwisty said:

Lovely. My uncle has one that he bought about 30 years ago as a bit of a wreck and has lovingly restored it (including sending a flake of the original paint off for analysis and reproduction if my memory serves me correctly). He and my Aunt do classic rallies in it across the continent - I've always been impressed that they actually use it, unlike so many trailer queens out there.

Just looked at current prices Old Rick made the right move there!

Why do the cabrio's seem to fetch double or more than the coupe's?

Values all over the place....all about originality (totally original cars very rare) and then restoration and who did it and when it was done. They’re very difficult and expensive to restore because of the bodywork/chassis/construction...more expensive to do than a 911.

Coupe’s can be more than Cab’s. Earlier cars worth more which are called Pre A’s. They gradually lost their lines during production so the earlier cars like the OP’s A are the prettiest but the later cars have disc brakes and more powerful engines and an updated gearbox.

[SRT Hellcat]

LemonTart said:

Ooh that’s a lovely little thing.

Congratulations

Thank you LemonTart

[SRT Hellcat]

80sMatchbox said:

That looks superb! The A looks so much better than the later models.

I completely agree with that statement

[SRT Hellcat]

Cheib said:

Lovely ! 356’s are something I am currently very interested in. I was lucky enough to drive a 356 A, 356 SC (both Coupe’s) and a 356 Super 90 Roadster last week and a passenger ride in a pre A Speedster. The A Coupe was very original (still has the original interior) but the rest all had very recent and top class restorations.

It was very interesting comparing the models/how they’d evolved which was a pretty big difference. The 356 A I drove was I was told a particularly well sorted example, gearbox was longer throw than the other’s but had more character for it and lovely to use. Engine was running Weber’s which I believe wasn’t standard but apparently makes a big difference to the driveability.

Currently thinking about buying one and trying to decide which was to go...Coupe or Roadster(don’t want a Cab as don’t like the lines). Speedster is too much and I don’t fit !

Edited by Cheib on Tuesday 30th June 08:41

My car is running the original Zenith two barrel carbs. I definitely would recommend going the 356 route. Very engaging

[SRT Hellcat]

PTT said:

Congrats. What a gorgeous looking car.
1058 Porsche 356 still on my bucketlist, drove one many years ago for one day, had so much fun.

Thank you PTT

[SRT Hellcat]

Taffy66 said:

Beautiful little car and so much more enjoyable and relevant on today's speed restricted congested roads compared to new Turbo fast cars.

many thanks Taffy. Exactly one of the reasons for purchase. Great fun at the posted speed limits and not something that could land you put in jail for just winding it out through the gears

[SRT Hellcat]

mrtwisty said:

Lovely. My uncle has one that he bought about 30 years ago as a bit of a wreck and has lovingly restored it (including sending a flake of the original paint off for analysis and reproduction if my memory serves me correctly). He and my Aunt do classic rallies in it across the continent - I've always been impressed that they actually use it, unlike so many trailer queens out there.

Just looked at current prices Old Rick made the right move there!

Why do the cabrio's seem to fetch double or more than the coupe's?

I think your uncle made the right choice. I should have done this years ago. That said as you get older your tastes change. 20 years ago I probably would not have got the 356 vibe. Now with all the unmarked cars around going fast is finished

[SRT Hellcat]

richterswil said:

Enjoy - looks stunning. Lovely, lovely car.

thank you richterswill

[Cheib]

SRT Hellcat said:

Cheib said:

Lovely ! 356’s are something I am currently very interested in. I was lucky enough to drive a 356 A, 356 SC (both Coupe’s) and a 356 Super 90 Roadster last week and a passenger ride in a pre A Speedster. The A Coupe was very original (still has the original interior) but the rest all had very recent and top class restorations.

It was very interesting comparing the models/how they’d evolved which was a pretty big difference. The 356 A I drove was I was told a particularly well sorted example, gearbox was longer throw than the other’s but had more character for it and lovely to use. Engine was running Weber’s which I believe wasn’t standard but apparently makes a big difference to the driveability.

Currently thinking about buying one and trying to decide which was to go...Coupe or Roadster(don’t want a Cab as don’t like the lines). Speedster is too much and I don’t fit !

Edited by Cheib on Tuesday 30th June 08:41

My car is running the original Zenith two barrel carbs. I definitely would recommend going the 356 route. Very engaging

I think it’s a when not if for me. My heart says Roadster but I am being told by a couple of mates (one of whom owns two 356’s) Coupe because I’ll get more use out of it.

This belongs to someone else....love it.

[Prestonese]

SRT Hellcat said:

I think very few people would deny that the 356 in particular the A model is one of the prettiest Porsche's ever made.
I have thought about going the 356 route for many years but never got around to seriously looking or thinking of pulling the trigger.
Having driven countless Porsche's over the years the one model I have never driven was the 356.
Two weeks ago I got a phone call from my very good friend to say that one had come up for sale. A 1958 356A. A car that had been known to him for many years and with a history file two foot thick. He sent me some pictures and I went to look at it a week ago Friday. Not so much to inspect it as I have implicit trust in him but to actually drive one and make sure I could fit in it. My other half came with me of course. We both loved it. I was surprised just how torquey the little 1600cc motor was. The experience was just an awakening. Driving a car that completely involves you in the process of just driving a car. Quite incredible. I collected the car this Friday just gone and drove it back home. A nice run of some 80 odd miles. What a joy. 70mph in top gps verified is bang on 12 o'clock on the rev counter. So easy to measure your speed through the cameras and it really does nip along very well. I really am looking forward to many smiles per gallon. I was out in the car yesterday and I just cannot help but grin. Even had a couple of Boxters coming the other way giving me a wave. What a delight. Incredible fun at sensible speed. I wish I had pulled the trigger many years ago. I now completely get the whole 356 thing. Awesome little car

Oof! That's a stunner! Congratulations.

I've just gone down the classic route too. Waiting to pick mine up and I must say I'm more excited about it than any other car I've bought.

[SRT Hellcat]

Cheib said:

I think it’s a when not if for me. My heart says Roadster but I am being told by a couple of mates (one of whom owns two 356’s) Coupe because I’ll get more use out of it.

This belongs to someone else....love it.

I do like the rat look but not for me. I agree a Coupe is the way to go

[SRT Hellcat]

Prestonese said:

Oof! That's a stunner! Congratulations.

I've just gone down the classic route too. Waiting to pick mine up and I must say I'm more excited about it than any other car I've bought.

Many thanks Prestonese. What did you go buy. I do agree. I think the last time I felt as excited as I do now is when I drove a 3.2 Carrera back in 1990. Which sounds very bizarre when I think about what I have owned and still own.