Vehicle Details
- Year: 1959
- Make: Porsche
- Model: 356A
- VIN: 108911
- Mileage: 90,351
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Ruby Red
- Seller: gturner008
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Toronto, Canada M9A 4P5
- Lot #: V-0009653
Presented for auction is this 1959 Porsche 356A Coupe finished in Ruby Red over a tan leatherette interior. This 356 is said to have undergone a complete bare metal restoration along with a rebuilt, numbers matching engine. It is now being offered with all with proper documentation and factory parts, making it a standout among others on the market. As previously listed on PCARMARKET with long time previous ownership of over 48 years, this 356 was purchased last summer by the current owner who has gone through the entire vehicle and addressed many items to bring it to the next level.
In 2019, this 356 is said to have had a complete bare metal refinishing in its factory color of Ruby Red. Additionally, all brightwork and seals have been refreshed. The seller also notes that bumper guards have been added without the overrides. This 356 rides on a set of factory ventilated steel wheels with Baby Moon hubcaps that wear all-season Radial tires.
Inside, you will find a completely restored leatherette interior. The seller notes that the interior was completely reconditioned in 2019 with tan leatherette, featuring recovered seats, new carpeting, a new headliner, and a recovered dashboard. All other surfaces were also addressed including the Ivory two-spoke steering wheel and VDO gauges which were rebuilt by North Hollywood Speedometer.
This 356 carries its original flat 4-cylinder engine which has been rebored to a larger displacement of 1.7 liters to accommodate the upgraded 86mm pistons and new cylinders. Additionally, the cylinder heads were rebuilt with the installation of a brand-new camshaft, oil pump and fuel tank. The crankshaft and connecting rods were also refinished during this time. Power is sent to the rear wheels by way of a numbers-matching 4-speed manual transmission that features a resurfaced flywheel and a new clutch assembly. Additionally, this unique example is said to be equipped with a 356B pan and vented drum brakes.
Upon the owners purchase last summer, a PPI was said to be performed by a master technician in which a few details were suggested to be addressed. No expense was spared in order to address these items which included the following:
- King Pins replaced
- Regulator replaced
- Adjusted front and rear bumper stance
- Generator rebuilt
- Rebuilt Zenith Carburetors
- Rebuilt Fuel pump
- Replaced drivers’ side rear axle oil seal
- Complete service including the replacement of fluids filters and plugs
If in search of a 356A coupe, this nicely presented example surely deserves some consideration as a wonderful driver or addition to your collection. The sale will include tools, a spare tire, jack, a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and a clear title.
Auction Results
- Highest Bid: $92,000
- Auction End: Apr 07, 2021 07:52:13PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 19
Comments (39)
Bid in the amount of $92,000
Bid in the amount of $91,750
Bid in the amount of $91,500
Bid in the amount of $90,500
Bid in the amount of $89,000
Bid in the amount of $87,000
Bid in the amount of $85,356
Bid in the amount of $80,500
Bid in the amount of $79,500
Just over an hour to go. Very happy to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to message me or ask via the comments section.
Bid in the amount of $78,250
@TRAKTOR thank you for your kind words. Great to see your comments. Appreciate you taking the time to contribute.
I would just like to add that I have seen the 356 and it's in great condition! The owner is a real Porsche man through and through. He is an enthusiastic collector and it shows in the care and conditions of his cars.
I was asked by a bidder, what other cars do I have.
This is my ST replica
https://www.elferspot.com/en/magazin/gary-turner-and-his-911-st-tribute-car/
The other is a 914 - that was on this auction site a few days ago. The white 1976 39k mile concours car.
It might show you the sort of Porsche fan I am!
Bid in the amount of $78,000
@MrRdStr absolutely. I’ll certainly be able to help the winning bidder with arrangements to ship to US. I’ve bought a few Porsche from the US and shipped to TO. Also recently sold and shipped my 1967 split screen VW Deluxe bus from TO to Napa Valley. I have good contacts in Reliable Carriers and Livingston International. Rest assured, it’s very easy to arrange door to door shipping. It’s no more difficult compared with shipping inside the US
@gturner008 sounds like you’ll be helpful with the winning bidder if need be ? all the best
@MrRdStr That’s about it. There may be 2% I think import duty into US, that Livingston sort and you pay. Their fee for all aspects of brokerage is about $300US in total.
Bid in the amount of $76,000
Bid in the amount of $75,000
Selling price, Pcar Fee, shipping & customs fee? Is that everything in a nutshell? Approx. cost for crossing the border? Thank you
Liking the 356 bidding trend - last 3 digits. And what a great username itcouldbemine.
It could be yours!
Bid in the amount of $69,356
I was contacted by a bidder. Asked ‘is there anything wrong with car or any known defects?’
My answer is that the car is absolutely perfect. There is nothing to do other than drive and enjoy. There are no defects or anything at all not right with the car.
I’ve gone through it with a fine tooth comb. I’ve recorded my progress to getting the car running perfectly via the 356 Registry. You can look on there and see my posts for the last 6 months. A great forum full of knowledgeable and friendly enthusiasts. I highly recommend joining.
Thank you for bids so far.
Here’s a link to a short drone video I did last summer.
https://youtu.be/AN4isTX2IL4
Bid in the amount of $59,500
I’ve been asked about how straightforward it is to ship to the US. The quick answer is, really easy. From Toronto, it can be ‘door-to-door’. Covered trailer. Shippers like Reliable Carriers are really great. Super service.
The brokerage is one phone call away. Someone like Livingston International. They arrange everything for you - and liaise with the shipper.
I recently shipped my 1967 VW bus from Toronto to Napa Valley. Took one week. No issues at all. Hope this helps. Gary
I’ve been asked what the oily/wax is on some of the underside parts. It’s spray rust protection. I really like to spray this on all the underside parts of all my cars. $20 a can for peace of mind. It wipes off if you want to. I personally love this product.
Bid in the amount of $30,555
@faizulali thanks. Yes, I tend to agree with you about the floor. It’s likely to be factory, but there really is no way to be sure.
Appreciate your comment
@gturner008 Good to see you are being open about the floor. I would have to say it makes sense if the VIN is 7 before the B series. Porsche in that period were a small and a bit cash stripped. They used what they had available at that moment including the 'new' floor pan for the B if it was on the shelf and so close to the end of the A run. Given VIN seem sensible to me from a conclusion POV
Bid in the amount of $29,000
@ronn356 hello Ron.
The car was built September 1959, with a VIN about 7 cars before the B production commenced.
The floor is a B. Very minor differences between an A and a B. The pattern of the floor depressions is the difference.
With my car, there are two possible explanations why it has a B floor. 1. It had a B floor fitted at the factory - given that Porsche may have run out of A floors - and substituted for the interchangeable B. 2. The first owner had rust issues and replaced with a B floor prior to 1972. I know the second owner - Ron Ballard - didn’t replace the floor.
My personal view is that it’s a factory fitted floor - but no way really to tell.
The V brace looks to be from a C series. Maybe fitted at the same time as the floor replaced prior to 1972.
All that being said, the floor on the car now, and V brace, match the car in terms of condition. The entire car is very close to what I would describe as factory fresh. It looks like it just left the factory in terms of condition. Solid, no rust and straight. Nicely applied undercoat and anti rust treatments (probably better than factory).
I would suggest everyone takes a read of the comments from the BaT auction to see all the various comments on the car. I don’t think Lennie (the seller) didn’t do a very good job of explaining this car’s history or what explains the floor/V brace.
The PPI completed before I purchased the car gave me peace of mind in terms of the quality of the restoration and its overall condition. He pointed out a lot of little things to change, which Lennie or I have done. Here’s a list of the things completed:
* changing the front light fastening screw from cross head to straight head
* adjusted the throttle linkages to get full butterfly opening
* fuel pump and carb rebuild with correct keys and one wrong venturi
* cigarette lighter from VW to 356
* Kingpins replaced - had slight movement
* adjusted bumpers to fit better
* new regulator and rebuilt generator
* oil seal on driver’s rear brake/shaft to stop a slight transmission oil leak
* added a rear seat bungee strap
* new battery
* cleaned nobs on dash
* replaced washer fluid pipes (one had a small split)
* new plugs, points and plug leads, along with an oil change
* greased all lubrication points
* tracking
* fuse box cleaned all connectors
* added front registration plate bracket
* adjusted timing
All little things that has made the car run spot on and nearer to concours.
Hope this helps. Just ask any questions and I’ll answer quickly and honestly.
@faizulali correct. It was on BaT last year. I bought it after the auction. I knew about the car a couple of years before - prior and during restoration.
As I mentioned in my introduction, I’ve worked on little things to get it much closer to factory and tuned it to run perfectly.
Bid in the amount of $27,777
You commented that it had a B pan. Please clarify the difference between a B pan and that of an A.
Thanks,
=rds
Oh very nice. Saw this on BaT i think. Is it the same car...
Bid in the amount of $25,000
Hello everyone. Welcome to the auction of my 1959 356A. I’m here to answer any and all of your questions.
I bought the car last summer from the gentleman that completed the restoration. Mr Ballard, the second owner, bought the car from the first owner in NY in 1972. He then put the car into his barn in Tennessee and pretty much left it there until 2019, deciding to completely restore the car.
As you can see, the restoration has been completed to a particularly high standard. Matching numbers in factory colours - exterior and interior.
I’m a mature, 60 year old Porsche collector - and always wanted a 356A. I’ve known about this car for the last five years - and was delighted to buy it. While the car had a great restoration, I was keen to get it as close as I could to factory. I had the car PPI’d by a retired Porsche master mechanic- who specialized in 356. Between us, and input from other experts, I’ve spent the last 10 months really getting all the little details correct.
I’ve also, what I would describe as ‘debugged’ the car - to get it running and driving spot on. Just little things like having the generator rebuilt, rebuilt the Zenith carbs, new regulator, rebuilding the fuel pump and cleaning up the fuse box connectors. I’m pleased to say the car runs perfectly. It’s often the last 5% that makes all the difference.
The body is excellent and totally rust free. A high quality paint finish. Mechanically everything is either new OE or rebuilt/restored (such as steering, brakes, suspension, wiring harness, fuel system etc) There’s nothing I would now change.
Why sell? You may ask - a fair question. That wasn’t our plan at all. But my wife and I are returning to the UK in two years time and we’ve just sold our house in Toronto. Rather than ship it now and have it stand for two years, or have it in storage here in TO, we feel it’s better to sell it to someone to enjoy and get the use out of it.
Please do ask any questions you like. I’ll give you a quick response and an honest answer.