356C Buying tips?

[cinqster]

I'm toying with buying a 356C to use as an everyday car. Is this a practical proposition?

My work travel is only about 50 a week, and I can see no reason in not running one throughout the year (apart from body corrosion)

Has anyone ever done this and does anyone have any buying mechanical checkover tips please?

[mikeylad]

If you do it, please don't ruin it!

There are so few of these left it would be a shame to see one deteriorate through salted roads and hail/snow, day-to-day dings, etc.

SUCH a beautiful car.

Why not buy one and use a banger on shitty days?

[hughjayteens]

Can I suggest that if you buy one you should give it to my other half - she makes some very odd noises everytime one drives past!!

[oldtimer]

Dont do it, you'll kill it quick. Bodily , these cars like to rust, especially floor and suspension points...no galvanising. Mechanically, dont know if your 50 (miles) a week is a typo but the oil will never get hot, the plugs will foul up, condensation will set in.
My opinion based on running a 356B Super 90 from 1967 to 1969 as a daily driver . If you like the 356 look get a replica eg Chesil with up to date mechanicals and fibre glass body....

[cinqster]

Thanks for your thoughtful replies...I'm kind of put off already!

Can't really buy it to use for best, as I already have 2 toys for that (including a Porsche Spyder rep)

My workplace has secured parking (OK, some of our co. car muppets have been known to bang doorskins) and the car would be garaged every night, and de-salted every w/end!

I've been tempted to go for a Chesil before but I didn't really want another replica.

Is this a daft idea? I was thinking along the lines of removing the original 356 engine and putting it somewhere safe (I know they're hellishly expensive to overhaul) and dropping in a hot VW Type 1. It easy to get 100bhp+ out of them so performance would be better too!

Mechanically, most of the consumable items seem to be relatively cheap to replace and it has all discs, so there are no worries like trying to find good servicable (rare) Porsche drums etc.

[scottster]

Things must have come a long way since I was playing with drag racing Type 1 engines, the second they sniffed 100bhp the usual routine was chuck a piston through the barrel and go bang!

[smithh]

Do it, what are all these people talking about. The car is meant for driving, not living in a museum. Yes it will get dings, yes it may go rusty, but it can all be fixed. You appear to be handy with a spanner and I assume a paint brush and tin of waxoil.

If it is prepped and looked after, it wont rust to nothing in the first year.

I run a 1956 morris minor convertable every day of the week doing about 12,000miles a year. If you look after them classic cars are fine. In our local porsche club region there is 356 that is used daily and in the winter, it wont win a concours, but the owners get a lot of fun out of it.

What is the point of having a beater for the week? A car is for driving, and they can always be fixed. Just make sure know a friendly welder.

H