Buying advice

[Gone in 60 seconds]

Hello (again - to those older members who may remember me)

Its been a few years as I've enjoyed other cars but I'm on the look out for a older Porsche again, I think pre-73 911 are outside my budget this time around (circa £40k). But have a fancy for a 356b. I had seen this one;

http://www.mohrimports.com/view_invento ... car_id=851

I know it's not perfect, but I'm looking for a tidy useable Sunday car rather than show queen. I'd really welcome some expert feedback for those more experienced to access it than I, price v car.

I'm selling my lotus to fund the purchase should anyone be interested

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... 154780?v=c

Thanks in advance for the advice. James

[hot66]

Long time no post

Welcome back

[Burma-Shave]

Welcome back!

What will that be? £40k by the time it arrives across the pond?

Looks pretty good to me - doesn't look rusty or excessively undercoated, engine's rebuild history isn't known, but it seems smooth and smoke free in the video, its a pretty nice colour now and the cardex colour of slate grey over red is one of the all time greats for a late 356. Even if you aren't going to restore it that adds a bit to the value IMO. There will be some filler in there though I expect but the gaps look really really good..

356 prices seem to be all over the shop at the moment, I think that one looks pretty good value, especially compared to one of them clumsy 911 things!

[Hendrik Moulds]

Agree it looks like a nice combination although the seats are a bit "in your face", especially with the dash top being right in front of you.

A few things to note after a brief look at the pictures:

The engine number is an SC (a good thing but means it's not matching numbers).
The front bumper fit is horrific.
Is there something wrong with the fit of the passenger door. The side on photo shows the door lock post and it's not properly shut on the 3/4 angle photo.
No radio.
No rubbing strips below doors.
Wrong exhaust. (who cares though).

£40k might not seem a lot but as any one who's done bodywork on these will tell you, the cost to sort them out can go spiralling out of control.

[hot66]

I suppose it depends what is hiding under that cheap,paint job ( loads of overspray by the looks of things which always means cheap blow over)

[Nige]

Was thinking the same James, wasn't sure at first if it was reflection but that green crops up in a lot of places it shouldn't. I've had 2 US cars in the past and both had horrific paint jobs, though fortunately they didn't hide anything too horrific underneath.

I suppose it depends what is hiding under that cheap,paint job ( loads of overspray by the looks of things which always means cheap blow over)

[Gone in 60 seconds]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Decided to hold and find a UK car I can get around and inspect as I'd want to. I went to the Silverstone auction and the Revival Bonhams yesterday. Really struggling with 356b pricing it doesn't seem very consistent so going to likewise take my time to get a grip of what is realistic in what is a very fluid market.

Many Thanks