Frame Off Restored Porsche 356B Super 1.6L 4 Speed

Is there any sports car manufacturer that's remained truer to its heritage than Porsche? The brand has single-handedly built an 81 year legacy out of performance minded engineering while designing some of the most endearing cars ever produced. And today, as one of the most well respected car companies on the planet, they enjoy a tremendous following that has spawned a positively gigantic support system. Not surprisingly the value of their early models, like this rare 1961 356B, is starting to go through the roof! And if you're a serious sports car collector who is looking for the perfect investment opportunity or someone who just wants something that's classy, different and fun, the time to buy is RIGHT NOW. As one of only 1,047 1961 356B notchbacks to roll down Porsches Zuffenhausen assembly line this two owner 1600 Super is the beneficiary of a recent frame-off, nut and bolt restoration which utilized largely NOS parts to complement its original drive-train and all original sheet-metal. Are you a savvy gearhead who's looking for a cool car that will bring years of enjoyment and excellent long-term appreciation? This classic Porsche is the opportunity you've been waiting for!

Sporting a smooth coat of classic red urethane, this fully sorted and completely road ready 356B began life in the hands of a passionate sports car owner who trusted one factory trained service technician for all of his yearly maintenance needs. When it came time to sell the car, that technician was the first person to produce a check; and in 2009, he performed a ground up restoration which utilized 30 years of accumulated NOS parts to supplement what was already a solid and highly original car. The mild body work began with a completely stripped steel shell that was fine tuned to perfection and fully prepped for modern paint. Once the doors and bonnets were aligned to better than factory standards, the car was disassembled, evenly coated in two-stage basecoat/clearcoat paint and sanded and buffed to a clean, wet-look shine. The result is a spectacular classic sports car which has timeless appeal, looks outstanding on the show field and feels right at home motoring down the street.

As the rarest model of the 1961 Porsche 356B line, the Notchback is essentially a 356B Cabriolet which wears a factory welded hardtop and a few unique trim pieces. And this showroom fresh car, with its all original sheet metal and NOS replacement parts, could be the nicest '61 Notchback in existence! At the front of the car, a familiar stretched nose holds a chrome trimmed hood over a stylish, showroom fresh chrome bumper. At the sides of that hood, classic Porsche headlights, which are sealed in pristine chrome surrounds, prop small parking lights above stylish turn signals that are integrated into small chrome grilles. At the top of the car, pristine late generation 356 curved glass is bordered by spotless aluminum trim, metallic silver wipers and correct chrome mirrors; and at the sides of the car, straight aluminum rocker moldings run parallel to factory fresh chrome door handles. At the back of the car, a vertical chrome grille pipes air into the engine compartment above a traditional gold “Porsche 1600 Super” script; and classy, cat eye tail lights function perfectly between bright square reflectors, a second showroom fresh chrome bumper, a small chrome trimmed reverse light and fully integrated exhaust tips.

Powering this sharp '61 Porsche is the cars original 1600 cc air cooled, flat four cylinder engine, which wears a correct 616/2 type number and a P*085653* serial number. Completely rebuilt during the cars restoration, it creates strong 8 to 1 compression, produces that famous and distinctive boxer sound that early German cars are known for, and will likely speed along forever with a minimum of fussing and tuning. At the sides of the engine, dual Zenith 2-barrel carburetors mix air from gloss black, correctly decaled single snorkel air cleaners with fuel from fresh stainless fuel lines. And at the front of the engine, a new V-belt snakes around correct steel pulleys just below a Fram branded oil filter case. Fire is supplied by a Bosch ignition module which sends spark to a correct Bosch coil, a correct generator and a correct points distributor; and cooling is provided by a correctly shrouded, correctly painted and correctly decaled factory fan. Spent gases are handled by a factory fresh Porsche replacement exhaust system; and like the rest of the car, the entire engine bay has been restored to show quality standards. With its fresh paint, new chrome and spotless components, this is definitely the kind of classic you'll want to show off every chance you get!

As one of the cars that pioneered nimble rear engine, rear wheel drive powertrains, the 356 was generally praised for its exceptional handling, especially in 1961 when Koni shocks and lower spring rates became standard equipment. Take one look underneath this B Notchback and you'll see just how much work went into its complete, nut and bolt restoration. Both the front and rear suspensions have obviously been completely rebuilt all the way from the cars 23mm torsion bars to its 'camber compensator' spring, and now feature fresh bushings, fresh shocks and a correct anti-sway bar. At the back of the car, power flows from the 1600 cc motor into a 4-speed manual transmission which displays a July (7) of 1961 (1) build date, a correct 741 casting number and a correct 741/2 type stamp that translates to a BBBD gear ratio. And at the corners of the car, large, original aluminum brake drums, which have been media beaded and completely rebuilt with new hardware, new pads, and fresh hoses, sit behind correct 15 inch silver wheels that spin new 165-15 Michelin XZX tires around pristine stainless center caps. The bottom of this spotless Porsche looks spectacular with all-new stainless hardware and semi-gloss black suspension pieces contrasting well against the cars straight and solid unitized floor. And you can drive or show the car with the confidence of knowing that there aren't any hidden surprises waiting for you down the road!

Pop open this Porsches solid feeling doors and you'll find a completely restored black vinyl interior which is the perfect spot to spend the afternoon cruising. Both the front and rear passengers enjoy firm, rebuilt bucket seats that are anchored by mirror-like chrome hardware and pristine gray carpet. And at the sides of the car, brand new kick panels combine with fresh door panels, fresh map pockets and fresh chrome handles to add a little form to well-designed function. At the top of the car, a tight white headliner stretches from door to door between cool, ambient dome lights. And at the front of the car, a freshly painted dash props a straight-out-of-the-box pad above clear, minimalist gauges, a standard issue Porsche radio delete and a snazzy passenger's side pull handle. In front of the driver, an awesome looking Porsche steering wheel makes good use of the cars fresh suspension. And in front of the cockpit, you'll find a spacious, by sports car standards, front hatch which has been fully restored and houses a correct spare tire.

Included with the sale of this rare 1961 Porsche is an original owner's manual, an era correct service manual, a stack of notes, restoration receipts and restoration photos, and some general information about the production and serial numbers associated with the car.

This Porsche is, without a doubt, one of the best and most unique collector cars your money can buy. And for the savvy gearhead who wants to enjoy his car while gaining a little equity, it's an unbeatable value. If you're looking for a virtually perfect classic that will provide good times and great returns, this 356B is your car!