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Porsche 356 C

Cabriolet, 1965

Highlights

$175,000 - $225,000 USD Offered Without Reserve
CHASSIS NO. 161915
Monterey 2025

1965 Porsche 356 C 1600 Cabriolet

The final evolution of the groundbreaking 356 from its final year of production

Retained by the original owner and his family for nearly 60 years

Finished in factory-correct Ruby Red over Black leather with a Black soft-top

Numbers-matching engine and gearbox

Showing less than 42,150 mi. at cataloguing time

History file with copy of original Bill of Sale, owner’s manual, service books, and invoices from new

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The vehicle in detail

The 356 debuted in 1948 as the first car to bear Porsche’s name and made its final evolution in 1963 with the 356 C. Improved with a ZF steering box and four-wheel disc brakes, buyers could also opt for a 12-volt electrical system, among other upgrades. Excluding the rare and costly 2.0-liter Carrera variant, the 356 C could be ordered with the standard 1.6-liter flat-four producing 75 horsepower or an SC engine with higher compression, making 95 horsepower. The model’s lengthy production run included Coupe, Cabriolet, and Speedster body styles and concluded in 1965 with the introduction of the 911 and 912.
This remarkable 356 C Cabriolet completed production on 2 March 1965 and left the factory destined for the United States finished as it is today in Ruby Red over Black leather with a Black soft-top, according to a copy of its original Kardex. Imported through Porsche distributor P.C. Import of Northbrook, Illinois, the Cabriolet made its way to Bud Clark Volkswagen & Porsche in Dearborn, Michigan, where it was sold to Dr. John C. Burchfield of Toledo, Ohio, on 27 August 1965, as confirmed by the original Bill of Sale on file. Remarkably, the car would remain with the Burchfield family for nearly 60 years.

Numerous service invoices dating back to 1965 attest to its loving upkeep since new, including cosmetic refurbishment in 1973 by Stoddard Porsche of Willoughby, Ohio, and a three-year restoration in 1980 by Jones’ Autowerkes of San Antonio, Texas. While Mr. Burchfield had enthusiastically racked up nearly 30,000 miles by August 1969, as logged in the second of two included service books, the Porsche would be driven sparingly over the four decades following its restoration. In 2020, its careful upkeep continued as Porsche specialist Aircooled Auto of Montville, Ohio, provided mechanical recommissioning and replaced the convertible top.
After nearly six decades of loving ownership, the cherished Porsche would finally change hands. Now showing less than 42,150 miles at cataloguing time, this well-loved 356 C Cabriolet is sure to please the most particular Porsche enthusiasts with its factory-correct color scheme, numbers-matching engine and gearbox, and well-documented history.

Specifications

Year of construction:	1965
Model:	356 C
Body:	Cabriolet
Series:	356
Mileage:	42150 mi
Power:	75 HP
Cylinder capacity:	1.6 Liter
Steering:	left
Transmission:	Manual

Drive:	Rear drive
Fuel:	Gasoline
Interior material:	Leather
Interior color:	Black
Exterior color:	Red
New / used:	Used car
Ready to drive:	yes
Car location:	United States