Sold 1964 Porsche 356C Sunroof Coupe 2146355877 Tweet

1964 Porsche 356C Electric Sunroof Coupe
s/n 216405, engine no. P*1285320 *
Ruby Red with Tan Leather Interior

The final iteration of Porsches first production car, the 356 C was the most developed variant of the model that defined Porsches early years, both on the track and off. Incorporating the revisions from the T6 body introduced halfway through 356 B production, the C model was further differentiated by the addition of disc brakes, more powerful base engines, and minor interior revisions. The cars benefitted from the continuous development that occurred between the models 1948 introduction and the production of the C, which lasted just two model years and remain among the most desirable 356 variants.

According to the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, this factory built Karmann Sunroof Coupe was completed December 16, 1963. The car was painted Ruby Red/6402 with Black Leatherette interior. Optional factory equipment included the electric steel sliding roof and Phoenix tires. The car has been carefully restored, a process that was underway in 2012 when the owner at that time passed away. An enthusiastic collector, he had the car largely complete by that point, including most of the mechanical, interior, and exterior work. His widow brought the car to Seattle Porsche specialist Denny Aker in May 2013 to evaluate and complete the car in anticipation of its sale. Maintaining a stock 356 exterior and interior appearance, the car was updated with a 912 engine by a very capable aircraft mechanic who built a motor that is both cosmetically and mechanically excellent. Aker installed a new starter relay, installed the radio and clock, and repaired the sunroof motor and clutch, at which time the car showed 35,925 miles.

The current owner purchased the car through Aker and shortly after engaged Matrix Integrated of Portland, Oregon to perform extensive service work on the car during June and July of 2013. Work performed over the course of these two months included replacing the throttle boot and coupler, replacing fuel lines with new high-pressure rubber hoses, repairing the linkage rod, correcting misc. interior lighting and engine warning lights, and installing a correct original specification new tachometer cable. Further work included carburetor adjustments, a new set of points, replacing the valve cover gaskets, a new and correct set of spark plug wires with proper boots and soldered terminals, adjusting the valves, setting the timing, replacing a breather hose, and replacing the entire steering coupler. Additional work on the engine included replacing the crank pulley with a correct four hole crank pulley, crank seal, and oil line. Further work was performed sorting out the switch for the sunroof and motor to achieve smooth operation, as well as inspecting and adjusting the link pins in the front suspension, lubing front grease fittings, and installing new seatbelts. Roughly $8,500 in repairs and service were completed in 2013 with an additional $1,300 spent in 2016 for a new starter, oil change, and valve adjustment.

Today with 37,426 miles showing, this factory electric sunroof 356 Coupe presents very nicely. The car was professionally repainted in the original factory color with slightly thick but even coverage. The paintwork is glossy and shows slight orange peel in selected areas, and very little evidence of use. The body is straight and solid with good gaps and fit, although the trailing edges of both doors sit a bit proud. The trim is in very good to excellent condition overall with very nice chrome including smooth door window frames and no significant hazing or other imperfections on any of the plated parts. The lenses, lighting, and various trim and script are all in excellent condition contributing to the overall cohesive visual presentation of this car. Outfitted with painted steel wheels and correct flat chrome plated wheel covers, the stance and driving appeal is particularly nice, especially with the factory electric sunroof.

The interior was nicely and correctly restored and is in excellent shape, showing virtually no wear since the completion of the restoration. The door panels, carpeting, and side panels all echo the handsome color and material combination, including the correct square weave carpets. Correct black rubber mats cover the center sections of the floors. The dashboard is extremely nice, having been treated to restored instrumentation contrasted by matching red paint, taut tan leather dash padding, and capped off with a gloss black steering wheel, featuring excellent aluminum spokes, and a glossy Porsche center emblem. The headliner is in very good condition, and is of the correct ivory perforated material, competently installed.

The engine compartment is comprehensively restored and nicely detailed. The air cleaners are the correct 356 type, despite the fitment of the 912 engine. The factory type decals are in place and the engine is very clean and attractive throughout. In addition to the engine itself, the engine compartment has also been professionally restored to high standards. The front storage compartment has been restored to a similarly high standard and features the correct liner, spare wheel, and leather hold down strap. The undercarriage is representative of a well-cared for restored example with no visible corrosion and correct stampings on all structural components including floor pans, rear seat wells, longitudinals, and trunk floor. The engine is clean and properly restored, reflecting the low mileage since the restoration was performed.

This 356 is one of the finest driving we have encountered in recent memory. The car operates harmoniously, with every system working in concert to deliver the driving pleasure that is a hallmark of the Porsche brand. The engine starts instantly and has wonderful progressive carburetion, cold or hot. It pulls well and has a sweet, revvy character that makes the car a pleasure to drive. The chassis is tight and reassuring, and the steering precise and free of excessive slop. The brakes are effective and symmetrical in operation and the gearbox is a model for how 356s transmissions should work. The linkage is crisp, the H pattern well-defined and precise, and the mechanical feel is gratifying and unambiguous in a way that is usually missing in 356s. The synchromesh is excellent, with a smooth and effective mechanical feel that is satisfying and speaks to the attention and competence with which the entire car was rebuilt. The car is accompanied by tan floor mats, its factory jack, service records since the restoration , and a Certificate of Authenticity indicating that this is a factory sunroof car that remains in its original paint color of Ruby red.

Competently restored to deliver the inimitable magic of vintage Porsche driving experience without excuse, this car is ideal for to the enthusiast who wants a very nice driver that is rewarding to drive right from the very first day of ownership. A genuine sunroof car that is also cosmetically and structurally excellent, it has that lovely well-rounded character that is often missing from these cars and which makes it easy to recommend unreservedly to any buyer, be it a vintage car novice or a seasoned 356 fanatic.