1957 Porsche 356 for sale in Charlotte, North Carolina

$24,995

Second only to perhaps the Shelby Cobra, the Porsche 356 speedster is one of the most widely copied cars in history. And why not? Fast, fun, inexpensive, and with timeless good looks, they're eyeball magnets. This one was built by Vintage Speedsters out in California, and shows just 5679 miles since it was built. Everyone recognizes the iconic Porsche speedster, and in black (which cost an extra $300 when it was built), the look is amplified-although this is a tiny car, it looks low and fast, just as it should. The fiberglass work is actually very good, and in black, any flaws would be instantly visible. Instead, it's a clean car that shows signs of someone having a good time behind the wheel. Body fit and finish is very good, with crisp lines and good gaps, and everything fits together better than one would expect of a car in this price range. The Porsche details are correct, too, from the small grilles up front, to the spectacular side mirrors that are sculpture in motion, to the taillights out back. And just in case nobody knew what they were looking at, correct 'Porsche' and 'Speedster' badges have been installed, both gold anodized as they were on some of the original cars. The interior is pearl gray leather with twin bucket seats that are deep and supportive, and probably more comfortable than the stools in the original Speedsters. The entire interior has been professionally finished, including molded carpets, nicely finished door panels with map pockets, and matching leather boots for the shifter and emergency brake. The gauges are amazingly authentic, with the tachometer mounted front and center in traditional Porsche fashion. Nardi supplied the wooden steering wheel, which is a big upgrade in terms of appearance and feel-there's something special about a real wood wheel in a car of this vintage. A Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo with speakers mounted in the doors sounds surprisingly good, even with the black canvas top stowed under its matching canvas boot. Based on (and titled as) a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle, the engine is a 1915 cc stroker built by CB Performance. It features a 110 Crane cam, dual 40mm Solex carburetors that have been recently rebuilt, and a set of ported cylinder heads. For a car that's going to be driven aggressively and relies on the air for cooling, a large oil cooler with an electric fan was a smart addition, and it keeps everything in the green no matter how hard you're running. It carries a 4-speed manual transmission that is easy to shift, and turns a set of highway-friendly 3.88 gears, which are part of the reason this toy can also pull down 30-32 MPG on the highway. Front disc brakes deliver stopping power that the early Speedsters can't match, and it rolls on a set of very authentic looking 15-inch steel wheels with Porsche hubcaps and 185/65/15 Dunlops. Like the Cobras, this Speedster is a great way to get a lot of bang for the buck and to enjoy the driving dynamics of a car that many of us, quite frankly, will never be able to afford. This car delivers 90% of the Speedster experience for 15% of the price, and thanks to the upgrades, is probably every bit as quick as the original. With reliable VW mechanicals, repairs and service are simple and parts are inexpensive, unlike a real Speedster. The purity of the driving experience and the feeling of the car doing its thing is part of the Speedster legacy more than absolute speed. You can drive this car quickly without getting in over your head on public roads, and the dynamics are very authentic. Give us a call today and find out why these cars are so beloved all over the world.

Year:  1980 or older
Miles:  5 000 - 9999

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