ORIGINAL: Laurence Gibbs
I am really getting the itch to have something old in the Garage again. I'd like a base line of price v condition, to have an idea of what I might find at what price. I have no specific model in mind though I doubt I could afford a pre-A or any cab model other than that i am open minded. If pushed I prefer the shape of the A.
One other question, Whilst prefering the look of the A, the running gear of the C is more preferable, How interchangeable are the parts and at what cost parts wise?
Ok one more question where should I be looking?
Wow - these are the £64m questions [
]
First, there is a narrowing degree of difference in price between LHD and RHD - RHD will always command a signifficant premium over LHD in the UK due to rarity.
As you noted Cabs are commanding a higher price over coupes - this is normal. So if you're looking at Coupe's your choices are pre-A, A, B, T6B, C, SC. I'm ignoring the 'specials' such as Carrera (muchos, muchos mullah), Speedster and Roadster (Convertible D).
Condition is then the next consideration - forget anyone saying "oh, just needs a bit of welding" - there is no such thing as a 'cheap' repair to a 356 - and value will be based on the quality of any restoration or repairs. I looked at a bonney B coupe about eight months ago - from the photos needed little work - get up close and it needs the front clip cutting off, replacing correctly, inner rears doing - while you're in there do the bulkhead, sills - oh and jig the whole thing - car was up for £18,995 - not a bad price - I left it well alone - was purchased by a 'rock star' who was desperate to sell it on six months later - obviously when he realised he was in for £30,000 of restoration.
There are many who do 'home restos' (like Mark - 912UK) and they're brave and committed guys - if you've got the skills go for it.
My guess on price assuming no work required, correct, non-concours cars would be:
RHD LHD
Pre-A 45,000 35,000
A 40,000 30,000
B 35,000 25,000
T6B 30,000 25,000
C 25,000 20,000
SC 30,000 25,000
The uplift for the SC is that they're very rare cars and in many ways closest to an early 911.
You will always find them cheaper if they are a) not original colour, spec, engine interior and b) in need of work (note comments above).
Just to give you a clue - my 356 Carrera has been in restoration for two years now - Engine rebuilt £40,000, gearbox rebuild £5,000, suspension and brakes rebuild £5,000, shell restoration c. £25,000.
So it's just not worth buying a resto case unless you're a hard man!
Parts from later B's and C's are sort of interchangeable - rear brake upgrade being a common one - but originality is the key to value so if you've bought a highly original car, put up with the 'period' driving experience or you're reducing the value.
As for where to look - for LHD try mobile.de - they do pop up - Steven on here runs a website, can't remember the url, with a number of classifieds, DDK, Classic & Sportscar and believe it or not Porsche Post - they do crop up in there.
Hope this all makes sense [
] and happy hunting.
Dar I say this - have you considered an early 911? Cheaper to buy, cheaper to work on - and more of a driver's car - just a thought [
]
Philip
