Vehicle Details
- Year: 1961
- Make: Porsche
- Model: 356 B Hardtop-Coupe
- VIN: 200853
- Mileage: 47,239
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Signal Red
- Seller: porscheklaus
- Seller Type: Dealer (Consignment)
- Location: Spokane, WA 99224
- Dealer Fees: None
- Lot #: V-0013025
We are pleased to present this 1961 Porsche 356B T5 Hardtop Coupe finished in Signal Red over a black interior. Among the first Porsche’s built by Karmann, the T5 Hardtop Coupe or “Notchback” was essentially a Reutter-bodied Cabriolet with a steel hardtop welded in place by Karmann. One of only 1,048 356B T5 examples ever produced, this 1961 Hardtop Coupe is said to have been stored away for almost 20 years before it was acquired by famed 356 restorer Gary Emory in 2003. The current owner later sourced the car through Gary Emory in 2007 and subsequently performed a nut-and-bolt bare-metal restoration over the next several years along with the installation of an upgraded 1720cc engine. One of the rarest and most unique 356 models ever made, this nicely restored T5 Notchback Coupe is now being offered for auction by its seller out of Washington.
Upon their acquisition, the current owner thoroughly disassembled and inspected the car and found the metalwork to be in excellent condition with only minor rust on the driver and passenger footwells. The owner adds that the fender and trunk wells retained all the factory under seal as solid as the day it rolled out of Stuttgart. After the car was stripped to bare metal, it was refinished with PPG paint matched to the original shade of Signal Red. The paintwork was applied in a two-stage base/clear with contrasting black paint for the hardtop. The exterior was also streamlined for a GT-style appearance during the restoration with deletion of the reflectors, bumper guards, and emblems. Additional images are provided in the photo gallery. The factory steel wheels were powder coated and mounted with new Vredestein Sprint Classic tires sized 175/70HR15. Longer wheel studs were also fitted along with ¾” aluminum spacers to provide a wider, more aggressive stance.
The cabin has been completely restored with all new upholstery, trim, and square weave carpeting. Specially crafted GT bucket seats were fitted, and all the gauges were sent to Palo Alto for restoration. The shop owner believes the odometer has never turned owner and that the current mileage is likely accurate. All instrumentation and electrical components are said to be working properly.
Upon discovery of some issues with the case of the original engine, the owner opted to install an upgraded flat-four sourced from a 1964 356C. This engine was subsequently rebuilt by Alpine Motor Cars in Hayden Lake, Idaho, and upgraded to a 1720cc displacement along with Porsche 912 cams, Weber 40mm carburetors, and a Sebring exhaust. The 4-speed manual gearbox was also rebuilt by Alpine Motor Cars during this time. The builder estimates the engine output at approximately 100 HP. A Wilhoit short shift kit has been installed along with a Wilhoit 17.5 mm front sway bar and an adjustable Elephant Racing rear spring plate setup. The seller reports that less than 500 miles have been driven since the completion of the restoration.
This sale will include a clean title. A rare and increasingly sought-after collector’s item, this beautifully presented 356B T5 Notchback awaits its next caretaker.
Auction Results
- Sold for: $79,356
- Auction End: Sep 20, 2021 07:54:01PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 19
Comments (39)
WHAT A TOTAL SCORE!!!!!! OMG. I missed this one since I had no wifi due to a move!!!! The cost to duplicate this car would FAR exceed the purchase price. This has to be one of the best buys I have seen in YEARS!!!!!!
Thanks! Not my first Porsche, but my first 356. I have been looking for a long time for the right one. I fell in love with this “notchy” when I first saw it.
Congratulations Danphipps,! Listen carefully and you will hear the applause! When you see the car for the first time you'll begin to understand that even though the photos were pretty good....they ain't even close ! Good on ya! Great buy!
Sold for $79,356
Bid in the amount of $79,356
Bid in the amount of $78,000
Bid in the amount of $77,356
Bid in the amount of $76,000
Bid in the amount of $75,500
Bid in the amount of $75,000
Absolute turn-key car Ladies and Gent's..... nothing to do but, enjoy it.
Bid in the amount of $71,356
Bid in the amount of $70,000
Bid in the amount of $67,500
Bid in the amount of $63,560
Bid in the amount of $60,000
Video content has been added to the listing page.
@hardeigh44 356's are typical leakers... not this one :)
@porscheklaus Any leaks on the car? If I leave it for a week what will I see on my garage floor?
I apologize, I've added a few photos and a short video but, I can't seem to get them to load. Sorry for the delay...
The owner has an 8 part restoration documentary that was published in the 356 club of Southern Ca's magazine. The complete notebook inclusive of articles, pictures and restoration photos will accompany the car as well as a 356 Shop manual. It just keeps getting better
I have also attempted to post a short video of the car starting and running TODAY. Please note: it is raining here in the Inland Northwest today so a "driving video" will not be possible....given the cars condition, I'm sure ya'll will understand :) I am having some technical difficulties uploading the video.... The good folks at Pcar are helping.... stay tuned.
@witz sorry for the late reply. The tank was sourced through Emory and is a race approved cell. I'll try to get a little more info for you. Stay tuned...
Hi, can you tell me about the modified gas tank?
@DriverM Thanks DriverM, much appreciated! Obviously, a man of good taste :)
STUNNING!!!! Just love seeing the attention to detail that this car has. Well done.......
Bid in the amount of $53,560
Bid in the amount of $44,000
Bid in the amount of $42,356
Bid in the amount of $40,000
@rhmoritz Sorry, The car is consigned to me and is currently at the consignors home. He is on his annual fly fishing trip in Montana and won't return until after the auction.... I apologize and should have thought to have taken a short video while I was there to photograph the car. There are less than 500 miles on the car since the restoration was completed, I can assure you it runs, shifts, stops and drives perfectly.
A start up and driving video please!
@Rowej thanks Rowej..... My father immigrated from Germany to the US in 58 as a technical advisor for Porsche. I have been around these cars my entire life, quite literally... It's a stunner!
Thanks again.
Very nicely done! Definitely no disappointments!
Ladies and Gentlemen it is nearly impossible to describe just how good this car really is. Fit and finish is simply superb. Door and hood gaps are absolutely spot on and the quality of the paint finish is just amazing. Significant time was spent making this "notchy" the best I have ever seen and that is after spending 42 years in this business. The specially fabricated GT style seats are a bit wider than those from the good ol days (bigger guys will fit, the owner is 6'3") and have memory foam making them remarkably comfortable. Wash this car and you'd destroy it. It really is just-that-good. Someone is going to end up with one of THE most rare Porsche's ever produced, in a condition that can only be described as simply extraordinary . Nothing was overlooked on this "notchy" .... every nut and bolt. Happy bidding.
Bid in the amount of $35,600
Bid in the amount of $11,000
Bid in the amount of $3,560
Bid in the amount of $356
Absolutely no disappointments here folks!