The Unofficial List of Known Porsche 356 Karmann Hardtop Cars

 The car has had damage to the front and has sat dormant in our shed for sometime, however we do have plans to restore the car in the future.

...Car is for sale if there is an interested party."

Previous owner knows the car was last seen in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The car had once been through a nasty fire and since rebuilt. Perhaps a photo will arise someday and a conclusion to this story.

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Update: Septmeber 29. 2009

Hi, I would like to report that notchback 200043 is alive and well and still in Victoria. I bought it in 2001 and it is in great shape. I don't know any more about its history other than what is reported on this site, but would love to know more. I was told it was stolen, taken for a joyride and caught on fire during this episode. Possibly torched?

When recovered our local V.W./ Porsche dealer was supposed to have rebuilt it. I don't how accurate this story is or in what time frame this occurred but as I said earlier I would love to know more.

"I have owned 20083, a 1962 T5 body,  since 1970.  The car was white when purchased but was yellow when new.  It has been stored since 1982.  It still has the original transmission but a later 912 engine.  I do have the original engine.  It is in pretty sorry condition and I probably will sell it one day as is rather than restore it.  A picture will follow.  I am embarrassed by its condition.  A very sweet car with great speed during it's prime."

Webmaster note: Don't be embarrassed, take a look at 200952 below and then maybe you won't feel so bad. Send a photo!

For sale on European Collectibles 3/2010

"This is 356B T5 Notchback Karmann Coupe which was a limited production. It is very complete but is not in driving condition. It has been stored over the past seven (7) years and does need some work. The engine does run on external fuel but the brakes need to be rebuilt & the fuel system needs to be flushed out. This is a great opportunity to purchase a 356 Coupe for less than half the price."

1 of 16 RHD made for the UK market.

UPDATE 8/2010: The owner has started "the looooooooooong restoration of this car."

We all wish you Good Luck, HM!

"For the last 19 years i have owned vin no 200320. It came from Oregon and was quite rusty when i swapped it for a Healey.

The car is quite unusual here in England and when it finaly got to the point that it would have to be rebuilt i found no pannel work was readily available here so the stripped car is packed away in the barn and for the moment i am running an ordinary 356c . My car would benefit from a shell but again in the UK these cars are very rare.

My notch back is mid blue in colour and had lost its original engine (now fitted with 912 cased 1720cc steel crank engine)."

This car was sold in USA in 1961 in Colorado Springs, was imported to Europe in 1989.

Now based in Barcelona (Catalonia-Spain).

Watch for this car on the market in 2010.

--Paul

"I have #200509, the original color ruby red with a 1600 super. The only thing that kept this car in one piece was the roof (lots of rust)."

Medium blue (bali?) with black (real) leather, and a 1600 Super engine

Rare rust free and matching numbers Karmann Notchback Coupe. Excellent Signal Red paint with Light Grey interior. Original closing panels. Professionally maintained and in excellent mechanical condition. Rare original Hella fog lights and original Blaupunkt AM/FM radio. A California car from 1961 to 2005. Three owners. Well documented with original service book and owner's manual.

http://www.carplanet.com/detail-1961Porsche356bkarmannhardtop.htm

3rd owner now has the car; been in storage since 1991, owned since 1978, purchased from 2nd owner in Benecia/Martinez area; 50K original miles; Ivory over red; good condition.

Did not sell on Ebay 11/2009 @ $20,500. Last bid was only $13,100. What the heck?

Upate 11/21/2009: SOLD -- going to go visit Germany for a while.

Known to exist: September 2009

Update: May 2010

"I believe this is my car.  We bought it used in 1967 and it's been our most reliable car until we sold it to our daughter, who has been in the process of restoring it bit by bit.  It's still drivable, although it leaks a lot of oil.  The next step is to replace all the seals...cheap parts...expensive labor.  Gotta save my pennies for the next step. "

1600 Super.

"It is a normal and drives very well."

"Thought you would like to know serial 200853 is alive and well. Stored 24 years in southern california she survived with only rusted floorpans. Engine/transaxle/brakes done.....metal work done.....getting ready to paint in June....will send pics and a more complete description. Thanks for the web site..."

You are welcome. - Paul

On ebay in April 2011. 0 bids starting aty $3,500. Buy it now price of $18,800.

Description:

"This is a rare opportunity to purchase a car with documentation from new. I am representing the widow of the man that purchased this car from the original owner in 1962. The owner desires that this car goes to the end user that will restore and love the car as much as they have. They raised their children and traveled the world in this car. No question, it needs complete restoration but the basic integrity is there with no indication of any major accident history. The engine has had a rebuild and all indication is that it can be made to run.Obviously,the car has been sitting for years.The body gaps are good,the body panels are straight.The car is located in Nashville Tn."

Mileage: 83,505

For sale 6/2009 on the Samba

"I am, I believe, the third owner of the car.  My uncle bought it used in the 1960s, in Florida where the car was original sold (per the Kardex).  He left it with my parents when he served his second combat tour in Vietnam.  It was the first Porsche I ever rode in when I was 10 years old, and the first I drove when I was 16 years old.  My uncle restored it (mostly himself) in 1979.  He passed away in 2005, so I bought the car from the estate (my cousins) and started a restoration.  It's 75% through that restoration, and will hopefully be on the road in early 2012.

Bill H.

"I own 200997.  I am the 2nd (1968) and 4th (1980) owner having sold it when the same son was born.  I tracked it for years with the third owner who managed to crash it and had a miserable repair done on the nose.  It is currently undergoing a complete restoration and will be painted the original Fjord Green with tan  leather interior.  The gentleman doing the restoration does such work for a couple museums in the state.  Very meticulous about his work.

The original normal engine was 606673 and I would give a lot to find it.  I know it was in Ann Arbor, MI area in the 60's but that owner would not part with it.  Lost track of it.  It may be interesting to note that I paid $75 for the car in 1968 sans the engine.  Besides the engine, the vast majority of the car has all original parts."