Considering buying a 356 A

[Braukuche]

I've got some money to invest, and am thinking that the prices of project As are getting in my range am considering buying one somewhere in the area of $12k complete. Of course, it would need everything: paint, body work, interior, mechanical. I can do everything myself but shoot paint and rebuild a transmission. In your considered opinions would I be upside down if I took on such a project considering my skills set? A friend of mine said I would be better off getting a nicer car for $20k, but I wonder what others think.

[tperazzo]

Most "projects" these days require in the neighborhood of 2000 man hours to restore nicely. There is a topic recently on 356registry.com that supports this. Even if its your time, its worth something. Buy the best car you can afford and you'll be better off in the end. A's and c's are usually worth more than B's when comparing non cab and non sunroofs to each other.
Good luck,
I've spent 3 years restoring a rust bucket and I'm almost ready for primer. It was the best car I could afford 12 years ago. I drove it for 9 years. After its done it will be nice, but don't underestimate the amount of work required.
Tom

[badsix]

i have a 58 cab project i've been working on off and on for years. it could see the road this summer. if you buy a car i would try and get an open model. and be prepared to spend lots of money i repeat LOTS OF MONEY 356 parts are outa sight. i'm just finnishing up my engine it was in good shape to start with. but if i had it to do over agin i would do a vw engine with 150+ hp. i dream of a jake raby engine, now that would be fun. but if your like me i enjoy being out in the shop working on a car or somthing and it keeps me out of trouble. look around and buy the best you can get for the money you have to spend. don't buy a rust bucket!

[tnc19]

My kind of BS thread! Just starting to "look" over here. Lurking mostly. I'm wondering how much one would need to have in hand to even consider looking for a decent project. By decent I mean not a COMPLETE rust bucket. I think there are a handful of "projects" listed right now on the samba...undoubtedly more "out there". Let's say you had the skill set, the motivation, and dream, to attempt your own resto on some level, how much would you "realistically" need in hand to just acquire a worthwhile project?

Serious question...

[badsix]

theres no posible way to know without even looking at the project. with a 356 you will need a lot. if you can do most of the labor you can save a lot. but theirs no way to tell as far as cost to your project that you buy. just be sure and know what your looking for and looking at. make a check list of what the project should be when looking at a project to buy. does the engine run, will it need a rebuild, is it the right engine, are there any parts missing. do this with the hole car this can give you an idea of what you will need in the way of parts. try and stay away from the real rust bucket. or worse yet the rust bucket that some one has pached up with bondo and fiberglass and some primer so it looks great. you can get hooked out their so do your home work before you buy

serious answer

[tnc19]

besides the samba, what are other good "hunting grounds" for project finds? are there any good sites, that have real and updated info/classifieds that list parts and projects?

there are tons of restos....don't have the money for a big money resto job...plus i'm looking for more of a project/patina/hood ride 356...a driver! not a trailer queen...

just haven't really delved into it, and wondering if it's just a pipe dream...or if i was able to get 10-15k together like Braukauche....could it be possible to find a project worth attempting...

and not just some hand me down rust bucket, that guys want to pawn off on someone else to make some cash...

[type241]

I try to never buy online. Find them the ole' fashioned way, hunting.
This needs alot of redoing undesirable body work, but its a complete Super 90 for $3K. I am liking the whole rat rod thing for now as I try to find a 62-63 front hood($2,500). I am guessing I will have 8K in metal panels. I will do all welding. Will try to run as is and collect parts for months I am sure.

[dsrtfox]

It's been my experience over the last 35 years using dollars adjusted for inflation, for a nice drive away car today your looking at 35K. The guy selling it to you is taking a loss. Substantial if he was a first timer.

If your starting with a clunker, you'll wind up with more than that in it and you won't be driving it you'll be laying under it for years. If you find a nice one with a weak and smoking engine and a noisey transmission your looking at 20K in repairs.

Some guys get lucky and find the deal of a lifetime but in all of these years I haven't found mine yet. Pay now or pay later. If you pay now you'll only cry once.

This has been MY experience...

[Braukuche]

[Richard S. Stewart]

3 years and 1,000 labor hours at famous 356 restoration shop, and my body is about ready for primer. More & more keep turning up. As the owner told me when I first started "DO IT RIGHT OR NOT AT ALL" Having the correct year model parts (Some had to be special/HAND made $$$) means RIGHT TO ME. I"LL more than likely wind up selling it as a rolling chass, taking a big loss, as its still going to take quite of bit of time & $$$ to finish, but I have really enjoyed a true learning process.