For Sale: 1965 Porsche 356C in Costa Mesa, California

1965 Porsche 356C Coupe

• VIN 221362
• Engine No. 716744 - Matching
• Transmission No. 84939 - Matching
• Completed December 30, 1964
• Porsche Kardex

An exceptionally well-documented 356C Coupe, finished in Black over Black upholstery with matching engine and transmission, confirmed by the Porsche Kardex. The 356 was equipped with chrome-plated wheels. It was one of the final evolutions of Porsche's legendary 356, combining lightness and mechanical purity with improved drivability and four-wheel disc brakes.

Originally imported by P.C. Northwest of Beaverton, Oregon, and delivered to the first owner, Colonel William S. Manning of Portland, Oregon. By 1967, Colonel Manning was relocated to Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato, California. Colonel Manning was relocated multiple times over the next two decades to different Air Force bases but kept the 356 titled and registered in California. Registration cards from 1966 through 1987, along with service records from 1965, provide excellent early provenance. Ownership later passed to the second owner, Carl Stimmel, in July 1987, before transferring later that year to Accurate Machine & Tool under Martin Folgmann. Mr. Mueller acquired the 356 in 1990, followed by Mr. Nadal, who became the fifth owner in 2011. After enjoying the 356 for several years, Mr. Nadal commissioned a bare-metal restoration by a marque restoration specialist in New York.

The paintwork presents beautifully with excellent gaps and panel fit. The interior was retrimmed in Black leather and features a VDM steering wheel, VDO instrumentation, and a Becker AM/FM Europa radio. The undercarriage is solid and rust-free and has been fully detailed, including the suspension components. Ventilated chrome wheels are mounted to Sprint Classic Vredestein 165 HR15 tires.

During the restoration, the body was stripped to bare metal, metal-finished, primed, and painted black. The exterior rubber seals were replaced, and the brightwork components were re-chromed. The interior was retrimmed in black leather. The result is a beautifully restored 356C Coupe that combines attractive cosmetics, known ownership history, and strong documentation.

Mechanically powered by the matching 1600cc flat-four engine (Type 616/15) producing 75 horsepower, paired to the matching 4-speed manual transmission (Type 741) with a four-wheel disc braking system. This is a turnkey, excellent-running and driving 356C that delivers the refined, engaging driving experience associated with Porsche's final pushrod 356 models. Complete with owner's manual, spare wheel, tool kit, Kardex, registration cards, and 41 years of documented service history, this 356C Coupe represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a well-documented, numbers-matching 356C Coupe in excellent condition with known provenance.