This beautiful, concours-winning 1965 Porsche 356C Cabriolet is the only known example from that year finished in Paint-to-Sample Orange with a full black leather interior and black canvas top.
By the mid-1960s, production of the 356 was winding down, as Porsche was betting its future on the all-new six-cylinder 911. Cabriolets were a mainstay of the 356 series, and just 587 were constructed for 1965. They were top-of the-line—expensive, hand-crafted with the best materials and workmanship, and a pleasure to drive over long distances.
The C’s 75-horsepower engine replaced the 1600 Super of the 356 B, and the Cs and SCs were now equipped with very effective ATE disc brakes and a larger, stronger clutch. The torsion bars were slightly smaller in diameter for a better ride, and the padded fabric top ensured quiet at highway speeds. With the top down, drivers and passengers could enjoy alfresco motoring at its finest.
According to its accompanying Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, this US-specification C Cabriolet was completed on 20 July 1964. Its first owner, J.L. Hutchinson of Garland, Texas, had specified a green-tinted windshield, chromed wheels and hubcaps, polished side trim, and Continental tires. Little else in known of the car’s history until it was acquired by the consignors in 2015 from Weldon Scrogham of G&W Motorwerkes. A bare-metal restoration of this unique convertible followed, during which it was discovered that the original 75-horsepower C engine had been replaced at some earlier point with a new engine on an un-stamped, series-correct case. Such was the attention to detail and originality that the car’s five original, date-coded wheels were scrupulously restored, an example of the quality work found throughout.
This gorgeous 356 delighted spectators at the 2016 Concours on the Avenue in Carmel, California and was named by FlatSix.com as one of its 20 favorite Porsches from Monterey Car Week; it earned the Palmetto Award at the Hilton Head Island Concours that same year. It was judged the 356 Open Class winner at the 2017 and 2018 Amelia Island PCA Werks Reunion, an unprecedented feat, and also attained Best Porsche at the 2017 Atlanta Concours d’Elegance.
This one-of-a-kind cabriolet is supplied with a correct spare wheel, jack and tool kit, restoration invoices, as well as a Certificate of Authenticity.
In late 1963, the Editor-in-Chief of Auto Motor und Sport said of the 356 C: “Unquestionably, this car has an endless fascination.” These final open-topped 356s remain highly collectible, and this striking C Cabriolet remains fascinating to this day.
