1963 Porsche 356C 1600 'Sunroof' Coupe

1,582cc OHV Flat 4-Cylinder Engine
2 Solex Carburetors
75bhp at 5,200rpm
4-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Beautifully restored, end-of-the-run Porsche 356C
*Factory-correct lovely Bali Blue over Fawn livery
*Retains matching-numbers body panels, and fitted with period-correct 356C engine
*Desirably equipped with factory sunroof, period Blaupunkt radio and wood-rimmed steering wheel


THE PORSCHE 356C

Porsche's Type 356, introduced in 1948, is acknowledged to be one of the world's greatest sports cars. Over a 15-year production run, the handsome and durable 356 evolved from a streamlined little aluminum-bodied coupe powered by a VW-derived, 46hp 1100cc air-cooled flat four to a powerful autobahn burner carrying a complex, two-liter four-cam boxer Carrera engine of 130 horsepower. Its steady development brought not only coupes, but luxurious cabriolets and more spartan Speedsters and Roadsters; more than 76,000 examples in all by the time production ceased in 1965.

By the time the 356B arrived in September 1959, Porsche's first sports car had gained a one-piece rounded windscreen and 15"-diameter wheels, the newcomer's introduction bringing with it further styling revisions and an engine now standardized at 1,600cc. Outwardly very similar to the final 356Bs, the ultimate 356C model arrived in 1963 sporting four-wheel disc brakes – first seen on the 2-liter Carrera 2 – among numerous detail improvements, notably a new ZF steering gear and a compensating spring at the rear to calm the swing axle rear suspension. Engines available, both of 1.6 liters, were the 75bhp 'C' and 95bhp 'SC', the latter replacing the Super 90.


THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This beautiful Porsche 356 Coupe from the final and fully evolved 'C' model production run, was finished at Porsche's Zuffenhausen-based factory during the fall of 1963. Equipped with disc brakes as standard equipment, the new Porsche also featured the desirable Sunroof option as seen on the car today. The bodywork was finished in the striking Bali Blue color, just as seen on the car today, while the interior would have been trimmed in a light color, presumably fawn or grey.

A comprehensive restoration has been carried out on the sporting Porsche Coupe, done very much to factory correct standards, and the result when viewing the car today is very impressive. The Reutter bodywork has been refinished in the original Bali Blue color, and it retains the '963' body number stampings, reflecting the last three digits of the chassis number, indicating that the bodywork is original. The engine is a period-correct 356C 1600cc type 616/15 unit, out of a car produced some months later. The cabin is newly trimmed with a Fawn-colored full-leather interior, matched by correct Oatmeal-colored carpets. Leather luggage straps are located on the rear package shelf, ready to strap down a weekend bag. The body-colored Bali Blue dashboard is trimmed with newly restored gauges, a period Blaupunkt radio, and the optional wood-rimmed steering wheel. The chrome wheels and hubcaps has recently been restored as well.

This desirable, fully evolved, end-of-the-run Porsche 356C Coupe in the stunning Bali Blue over Fawn livery would be a great car to take on rallies such as the Copperstate 1000 or bring to the local cars and coffee event. Equipped from the factory with the desirable sunroof option, the 356C offers a great blend of Coupe and open-top motoring. The 356C is by many considered to be among the best 356 models made, featuring factory disc brakes and the many other developments and upgrades carried out over the fifteen-year 356 production run. This lovely Bali Blue example deserves serious consideration.