Fantasy Junction

Description

1962 Porsche 356B Coupe
s/n 210817, Engine No. 605751
Aquamarine with Red Leather Interior

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. During this time, engine horsepower increased from a noble 40hp to just under 100hp. And while many of the technical and engineering advances developed in the 356 would continue into production for the 911, the purity and simplicity of the 356 still remains an enduring and charming reminder of what a sportscar should be.

According to the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, this attractive 356B/1600 Karmann Coupe was produced June 8, 1962, finished in Oslo Blue/6203 and trimmed in Red Leatherette/A interior. The car was purchased in 2008, restored, and maintained for another decade by a highly respected and well-known multiple vintage Northern California Porsche collector/enthusiast. Over the past four decades, the owner enjoyed lengthy Porsche ownership histories with Gmund cars, a 904, and a 550. Immediately after his purchase, plans and detailed assessments were made in order to determine the best course for the restoration. Porsche experts at Stoddard supplied hundreds of parts for the project, documented by several handwritten pages of notes, part numbers, and Stoddard invoices. Having been a Porsche enthusiast for some time, the owner had already engaged Porsche engine expert Sam Sipkins, Oakland, CA, to build a 1961 356 engine for his use in another project just two years earlier. The decision was made to install the rebuilt engine, 605751, in this car. Several detailed invoices included with the car outline the engine specifications, dyno test results, parts list for components used in the rebuild and restoration, and carefully detailed notations including cam wheel runout, crankshaft end play, ring gap, and valve clearances; all indicated in detail to the engine currently in the car. With the new engine prepared, it was mated to the matching numbers gearbox (confirmed by the Porsche COA) and installed in the car. The restoration was completed approximately ten years ago and has been carefully maintained in the same thoughtful manner by the fastidious owner/enthusiast who personally performed much of the work to a very high standard; a standard that continued under the stewardship of his son.

Today this handsome 356B features striking colors and a high-level driver quality restoration, including very good paint showing excellent gloss and smooth finish throughout. The doors shut tightly and fit well, as does the hood and engine lid. The quality of the chrome, trim, and emblems are very nice overall, though some chrome pieces and a few of the rubber smaller gaskets show signs of age. Other than a few minor pits on the windshield, the glass and lenses are also of high quality, showing excellent fit and properly fitting rubber gaskets and weather stripping. The ventilated chrome wheels are dated coded 7/57 and are beautifully finished including the matching chrome wheel covers. The luggage rack atop the engine lid gives a welcoming vintage look, offering inspired visions of long-distance motoring while accommodating extra luggage.

The interior is handsomely prepared using correct, high-quality materials throughout the cabin. The red leather seats have been properly restored, with correct piping, pleats, and just the right amount of seat foam, not overly padded as often seen in restored cars. Now slightly relaxed and showing hints of use, the interior has a rewarding blend of enthusiastic use and thoughtful restoration. The current headliner, properly restored rear seats, carpeting, front and rear Cocomats, and door panels present very cohesively showing only slight wear and use to the fit and finish of the carpet in typical wear areas. The dashboard is finished in matching Aquamarine paint with an accenting red leather dash top. The instruments have excellent overall cosmetics with contrasting dial faces, correct light green indication, and clear glass. Along with the VDO clock and multi-band radio, the switches, knobs, and handles all retain a very unified feeling of quality and finish. An excellent touch to the sporting interior is the wood-rim and aluminum spoke steering wheel. A correct chrome plated Porsche horn ring with black and gold Porsche crested center emblem puts the final touch on this quintessential interior.

Under the hood, the engine compartment and engine have mellowed a bit since the restoration, but still present confidently. The engine rebuild is documented with notation on the build, specifications, and parts used during the restoration. Proper factory decals, hoses, correctly inverted blue Bosch coil, brown distributor cap, correctly finished engine shroud and air cleaners, and correct Fram oil filter all contribute to the factory appearance of the engine compartment. As some time has passed since the restoration was completed, there is evidence of use to the engine components, including some flaking to the decals, and light golden hues to the carburetors and other components. The front storage area is finished in a combination of original materials and restored components, though not as highly detailed as the engine compartment, the finishes are a cohesive combination of restored and original components. The car still bears the correct number stamping and chassis plate, which matches the Porsche COA. Light corrosion is evident near the battery box on the top surface at the battery corner, though penetration is not evident. The underside reveals a sound floor and solid body with care given to the underside engine components during restoration and rebuild. The chassis is properly presented, though not detailed to show level finish.

The car starts easily and settles into a smooth idle. First gear is easily engaged, the clutch takes up properly and the car pulls away as expected. Driving this car, one is immediately reminded of how enjoyable a properly sorted Porsche 356 can be. Prepared with stock engine specifications and delivering all the wonderful sounds Porsche enthusiasts have come to revere in early air-cooled cars, there is simply no replacement for the engagement this car promptly delivers in all respects. The car shifts smoothly, the brakes track evenly, and the suspension is firm and compliant when cornering, benefiting just a bit from the slightly wider Michelin tires. Road manners on the highway are smooth and solid as one might expect from a car having been treated to the thoughtful restoration and mechanical sorting this one has enjoyed in the hands of Porsche specialists.

Included with the sale is an original owner’s manual, a date code matching painted spare wheel, jack and tool kit with tool wrap, and a spare fan belt. The Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, records of the engine rebuild and parts receipts, and hand-written owner notes from the restoration are also included.

This handsome Porsche 356B presents all the best traits of a professionally sorted 356 one might expect – a delightful driving experience in a well-finished car, ready for enjoyable country road adventures, casual showing, or vintage Porsche events.

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