Heading to auction out of Bozeman, Montana, this 1965 Porsche 356C coupe is a refurbished example of the final car in Porsche’s original production series. According to the seller, who goes by KenaiKid, the car was treated to a full engine rebuild and a professional repaint in Dark Green around 2003, before he acquired it. That darker shade departs from the lighter Irish Green (#6406) offered on the 356C that year, suggesting the repaint was a color change. The seller reports that the coupe carries matching numbers for the engine and chassis, with a chassis number (and VIN) of 130859 and an engine number of 732475, which he says were confirmed by elevenparts.com.
The odometer reads 35,659 miles but is noted as TMU, having “most certainly rolled over once,” though the seller says that happened before his ownership. Bodywork carried out prior to the repaint included repairing a hit right rear fender along with rust repair to the right floorboard, spare tire well, and front fenders. Since then, the seller states the Porsche has covered fewer than 13,000 miles, driven only in good weather and stored in a climate-controlled garage. He describes the car as looking great even up close and running perfectly, with the paint showing only a few very minor scratches and rock chips from normal use.
Introduced for 1964, the 356C was the last model in Porsche’s first production car series, arriving as the 911 was already entering production to replace it. The C received a handful of body updates, but its most significant distinction was being the first Porsche production car fitted with four-wheel disc brakes. Porsche built roughly 16,500 examples of the 356C across two model years, with the coupe accounting for more than 80 percent of production.
Exterior and Mechanicals
The paint is said to present very well, with glass free of chips and exterior chrome trim showing a good gleam and no noticeable blemishes. The car rides on original-style 15-inch ventilated chromed-steel wheels with chrome hubcaps. When new, the standard 356C 1.6-liter OHV flat-four was rated at 75 horsepower at 5,200 rpm; the seller states the engine, number P732475, is original to the car. An electric fuel pump has been added to help with priming after a couple of weeks of sitting. As the first production Porsche with four-wheel disc brakes, the 356C brings welcome stopping power to the package.
Inside, the seats and door cards are believed to be original, showing some patina and minor wear but no apparent damage. The metal dash was repainted and the carpeting replaced during the 2003 work, and an aftermarket stereo and speakers were installed. The three-spoke steering wheel appears to be original.
What Comes With It
The sale includes what the seller describes as more than a hundred new and used parts, along with a custom-made car cover. The rear seats, in original and unrestored condition, are included but were removed to increase cargo space. Service records and receipts dating back to 1969 accompany the car, including documentation from the 2003 refurbishment, and some books and other literature are part of the package as well.
A few items are noted as needing attention. The detents for the turn-signal return mechanism are worn, the dome lights do not illuminate when the doors are opened, and the gauge needles bounce when the car is cold.
The seller states the car will be sold on a clean Montana title in his name. Refurbished with a professional engine rebuild, rust repair, and a full repaint around 2003, this 1965 Porsche 356C coupe has served as a part-time fun driver ever since and is presented as an eye-catching, enjoyable example of the final 356 model.
See it here.
