Fantasy Junction

Description

1962 Porsche 356B 1600 Super Coupe with Sunroof

Chassis No. – 210150

Engine No. – *1285488*

Exterior Color – Red

Interior Color – Saddle

Engine – Air cooled 4-cylinder 1968 912 type

Transmission – 4-speed manual 741/0A #64347

Current Miles – 67,710 (TMU)



General Overview



The legendary Porsche 356 remains today one of the most sought-after vintage sports cars. With its unique profile, comfortable driving manners, and race-inspired lineage, the first Porsche to proudly bear the family name of Ferdinand Porsche set the standard of engineering excellence upheld decade after decade in each new offering. Introduced in 1948, the 356 benefited from continual refinements until 1965, when production yielded to the 911 and 912 models, the 912 being the keeper of the 4 cylinder legacy from the 356 lineage. And while many of the technical and engineering advances developed in the 356 would continue into production for the 912, the purity and simplicity of the 356 continues today as an endearing and delightful reminder of what early sports car driving is all about.

History of this Porsche 356

This Porsche was originally titled and registered in California as noted on the pink slip naming the current consigning owner who purchased this 356B Super Coupe in 1983. Though driven enjoyably throughout decades of ownership, the current owner engaged Nor Cal experts to service and restore this Porsche to the condition presented today. According to service invoices included with this car, in July 1986 this Porsche was delivered to Porsche engine experts Lukes & Shorman, Inc. Albany, CA where the engine was comprehensively rebuilt, followed by the transmission rebuild performed by TAC Enterprises, Inc, Berkeley, CA (also in July 1986) known for their exceptional work on Porsche transmissions. Contributing to the restoration, the owner purchased numerous parts (see three pages of handwritten owner notation) including gaskets, door fuzzies, window gaskets, and trim for installation that same year when this Porsche was professionally refinished by Rose Auto Body. Around this same time, the car was delivered to Bob Mello, a highly regarded east bay Porsche suspension specialist who, notorious for his painstakingly glacial process revised the suspension, converted the car to 356C four-wheel disc brakes, completing the car over a two year period of time. By 1990 the car had 60,677 miles as additional work was performed through 1992 and 1993 including a new interior with leather seat covers, new matching vinyl, new rear seat and side panels (leather and vinyl), new door cards with correct pockets, new headliner, and new square weave carpet. At this time, the gauges were also removed and reconditioned and various trim, gaskets and other details completed including a 1993 installation of an Eclipse 12 CD disc remote changer, amplifier, new Pioneer speakers, a retractable antenna, and a conversion to a 12V system. Regular services continued through the decade, though only minimal miles accumulated into the early 2000s. 



In 2003, with 60,746 miles, S Car Go Racing, San Rafael, CA installed new stainless brake lines and brake hoses, a new wiring harness, converted the clock to 12V, repaired the fuel tank and fuel tap, installed new wiper blades and arms, rebuilt the carburetors, installed a master cylinder, completed a general tune up with valve adjustments, installed a new fuel pump, new axle boots, and a new tachometer cable. In 2004, with 62,266 miles, a pair of 44 IDF Weber carburetors were installed along with a new voltage regulator, ignition distributor, shift lock, and a new generator. That same year, the stereo system was upgraded with an Arc Audio 2 channel amp and new Pioneer speakers. Over the years, invoices for ongoing auto body repaint and refinishing document cosmetic improvements to the fit and finish including door fit adjustments, replacement for door fuzzies, new rubber gaskets, refinishing for bumpers and other selected body panels, here too for cosmetic improvement only, blending color and matching the paint to maintain the overall high quality finish. In 2020, with 67,260 miles, Eason Auto Works, Oakland, CA installed a new starter, new axle boots, adjusted the voltage regulator, and changed the oil. A new battery was installed in December 2025.

Current Condition


Today this nicely enhanced 356B Super offers excellent finishes throughout and sensitive enhancements to the 356 driving experience including the uprated 1968 912 engine, vastly improved suspension, and four wheel disc brakes. The red finish is smooth and glossy with excellent coverage on all exterior surfaces. The doors, hood, engine lid, and sunroof shut properly with excellent parting lines and correct body contours. When the sunroof is opened, operation is smooth and easy via hand cranking . When closed, it fits properly into the roof opening, though the gutter channels lack the drain holes typically found in factory installed sunroofs. The quality of the chrome, trim, and emblems are excellent throughout having been restored or replaced with correct reproduction parts. The dual grille engine lid latch displays the stamped number 50 which matches the last two digits of the chassis number, indicating it to be original to this car. The matching red bumpers have been properly finished with front and rear chrome plated uprights, with the rear uprights featuring dual exhaust tips exiting through the bottom portion of the uprights. The glass and lenses are of high quality as are the underlying gaskets and weatherstripping which were replaced during the glass out repaint performed some years ago. A set of wider ventilated chrome wheels with chrome wheel covers are installed, wearing a set of Michelin 185/65 R15 radial tires.



The interior is handsomely prepared using correct, high-quality leather and vinyl throughout the cabin. The saddle color seats have been properly restored, with correct piping, pleats, and just the right amount of seat foam. The interior has a rewarding blend of authentic restoration and thoughtful upgrades including a modern Eclipse 12 CD disc stereo upgrade (disc carrier mounted in the front storage area along with an Arc Audio 2 channel amp, installed in 2004). The correct headliner, correct square weave carpeting, handsome Nardi wood steering wheel, and correctly pocketed door panels present beautifully. The dashboard is finished in matching gloss red with an accenting saddle colored dash top. The instruments have excellent overall cosmetics with contrasting dial faces, correct green indication, and clear glass. Outfitted with a VDO clock, the switches, knobs, and handles all retain a very unified feeling of quality and finish. A fire suppression system is installed with a red pull handle mounted under the dash. An added plus to the driving experience, this 356 features a factory sunroof which has a correctly fitting headliner, smoothly operates fore and aft, and latches in the closed position using the rotating latching handle.



Under the hood, this car has been thoughtfully updated with a 1968 Porsche 912 engine and the engine compartment correctly restored to reflect original features following Porsche specifications. A set of aftermarket air cleaners sit atop twin dual throat Weber carburetors which greatly improves overall performance further supported by four wheel disc brakes. The underside reveals a sound floor with solid suspension attachment points and finishes consistent with properly serviced cars. The gearbox casing is stamped 64347 which is consistent with other casing stamps of this later series 356 B configuration.

Given the 912 engine upgrade, the performance is quite rewarding when behind the wheel. The added horsepower is well paired to the gearbox offering spirited acceleration with comfortable cruising speeds and the added confidence of four wheel disc braking coming down from freeway speeds. Cornering and steering are well above typical 356B examples as this one has benefited from exceptional suspension enhancements by expert Bob Mello who converted this car to 356C disc brakes and added the wider chrome plated wheels. Overall, the driving experience of this 356B is delightful, particularly on warm sunny evenings with the windows down, sunroof open, and the impressive audio system enveloping the cabin with premium sound.



Items Included with the Car



A Porsche 356B is accompanied by a driver’s manual with red cover, a reproduction owner’s manual, a spare wheel and spare chrome plated rim, jack, a car cover, a luggage rack, a spare wood rim steering wheel, a spare set of aftermarket disk brakes and calipers, two spare hubcaps, leftover interior upholstery, various brake and suspension reference materials, audio system manuals, a loose sun visor, various spare brake parts, spare door handles and interior hardware, and other assorted parts.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608