1965 Porsche 356

1965 Porsche 356 SC Cabriolet From humble 40 bhp VW-derived origins, the Porsche 356 was relentlessly developed into one of the greatest Giant Killer sports cars of all time. The final of its numerous iterations arrived in 1963, with the 356 C. Utilizing the revised Type 6 body first seen on late B models, the C ushered in numerous refinements to the steering and suspension, along with four-wheel disc brakes and 12-volt electrics. Two pushrod engine options were offered the standard 75 horsepower, or the hot \"SC\" version, rated at 95 bhp from 1,600 cc via high compression pistons, a special counterweighted crankshaft, and Solex carburetors. With punchy performance and a highly developed chassis, the 356SC stands among the most desirable and collectible iterations of the timelessly cool 356. This beautiful Signal Red SC is a highly attractive and wonderfully sorted example that is one of a reported 588 Reutter Cabriolets from 1965. According to historian Dr. Brett Johnson, Porsche produced only 485 Type 616/16 SC engines in total that year, making this a very rare car, indeed. A copy of the Kardex on file shows this car was delivered in March of 1965 via Skand Motors in Copenhagen, Denmark, to Miss Tangley Campbell Lloyd, an American student studying abroad. Miss Lloyd?s Porsche left the factory as it is presented here, finished in Signal Red with black leather upholstery, and equipped with a Becker Europa, two speakers, antenna, outside mirror, and a luggage rack. With just four documented owners from new, this outstanding Cabriolet has lived a charmed life, never requiring restoration or rust repair. Instead, it has simply been maintained and freshened cosmetically with a very high quality repaint in its original color and a new canvas top and headliner. The body fit is outstanding, noted especially in the doors which shut with a solidity that the best unrestored cars seem to retain. Inside, the front seats have been reupholstered in black leather to factory specs and are in excellent condition. The rear seats, door cards and interior panels appear original and exceptionally well-preserved. Charcoal square weave carpets also look to be original and are in similarly excellent condition with only a couple small imperfections noted on inspection. The tidy front trunk houses the spare wheel, factory jack, and a factory tool kit. The 1600 cc engine bears serial number 813770, which corresponds to the Kardex and warranty book as the original, numbers-matching unit, and falling within the correct range for an SC from 1965. The engine was rebuilt during prior ownership, and the original Solex carburetors have been swapped out for Webers. It shows signs of use with an honest, authentic look to the engine bay. From behind the wheel, this car feels even healthier than its 95hp might suggest. It proved its mettle on the 1,500-mile Ramshorn Rally in Montana, performing extremely well on the challenging mountain roads putting its light weight to good use and showing a clean pair of heels to some far more potent 911s!Rare, desirable, and charming, this 356 SC has all the trappings of a car that has been cherished since new, backed by strong history and a numbers-matching original engine. Its spirited performance and the versatile, beautiful Cabriolet body make it a no-brainer for anything from classic rallies and driving events, to cruising to town on a warm summer evening.