1965 Porsche 356C Coupe (non-running restoration project)
A 356C coupe project at $19,950, below every recent 356C project sale. Rust and completeness decide the deal.
Why we picked it
Why we picked it: The final-year 356C is the most usable 356, with four-wheel disc brakes from the factory. This blue coupe is listed at $19,950, down from $24,750, and described as a California car recently brought out of storage. The dealer lists a 1600 S engine with dual carbs, a 4-speed, VDO gauges and pop-out quarter windows. It does not run.
Comparable 356C coupe projects have sold for $23,200 to $54,000 over the past year, so even a rough shell has a value floor near this price. Beverly Hills Car Club gives no mileage, no title details, no rust report and no numbers-matching claim, and sells as-is. Confirm the title, the chassis and engine numbers, and the condition of the pans and longitudinals, in person or through a 356 specialist inspection.
The value check
The seller is asking $19,950. Comparable cars in the same condition have sold for $23,200–$54,000, so the middle of the market is about $38,600. That put this car 48% under.
Recent sold 1964 356C coupe projects brought $23,200, $27,000 and $54,000 (Dec 2025 to May 2026); running 1965 356C drivers sold for $55,500 to $67,500 in Aug-Sep 2026.
- 1964 356C coupe project, $23,200 (Dec 2025)
- 1964 356C coupe project, $27,000 (Jan 2026)
- 1964 356C coupe project, $54,000 (May 2026)
- 1965 356C coupe driver, $55,500 (Sep 2026)
What to check
- 356 rust hides in the longitudinals, battery box, floor pans, jack points, door bottoms and the nose; get it on a lift
- Confirm the chassis number, Kardex/COA and whether the engine is the original 616 unit, since numbers drive 356 value
- Non-running: budget for a full engine and transmission inspection, plus a seized brake and fuel system refresh
- Check for missing trim, glass, seats and gauges; 356C-specific parts are expensive
- Title status is not stated; confirm a clean California title and the as-is terms before paying
Making it drive like new
A sympathetic outlaw build suits a car that needs everything anyway. Options include a 1720-1900cc 912-based or Type 4 engine, a 5-speed conversion or a reworked 741 gearbox, adjustable torsion bars with modern dampers, better disc brake pads, an electronic ignition, a three-point harness or roll bar, and modern radial tires on 15-inch steel wheels. Keep the body original so a later return to stock stays easy.
What Porsche 356C Coupe cars sell for
| Condition | Sales | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project | 3 | $23,200 | $27,000 | $54,000 |
| Driver | 2 | $55,500 | $57,977.50 | $60,455 |
Recent sales
| Car | Condition | Result | Date | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 Porsche 356C coupe, 912-engined driver with four-wheel discs, no reserve | Driver | $60,455 | Oct 28, 2026 | Hagerty Marketplace |
| 1965 Porsche 356C coupe driver | Driver | $55,500 | Sep 15, 2026 | Bring a Trailer |
| 1964 Porsche 356C coupe project | Project | $54,000 | May 24, 2026 | Bring a Trailer |
| 1964 Porsche 356C coupe project | Project | $27,000 | Jan 20, 2026 | Bring a Trailer |
| 1964 Porsche 356C coupe project | Project | $23,200 | Dec 13, 2025 | Bring a Trailer |
