1965 Porsche 356C Outlaw-Style Roadster
Overview
Variants of Porsche’s first production vehicle, the 356, were manufactured from 1950 to 1965—with the 356C representing the car’s final and most refined evolution. Introduced for the 1964 model year, the 356C served as a steppingstone between the manufacturer’s early designs and the arrival of the legendary 911 nameplate.
This Porsche 356C began life as a factory Cabriolet and now presents as an Outlaw-style roadster extensively refurbished and modified by the Florida-based specialist workshop, Studio Mantovanelli. Highlights of the build include a full body respray to its current Red paint finish, a removable hardtop roof conversion, and refurbishment of various exterior brightwork and rubber fittings. The interior has received a full re-trim from aluminum Speedster front seats to re-upholstered door panels, gear shifter boot, and glove box. OEM-style leather sun visors have been installed, joined by custom interior carpeting, upgraded OEM-style audio speakers.
Rebuilt to 1720cc, this Porsche’s blueprinted flat-four engine features forged racing pistons, a SCAT billet crankshaft, upgraded oil/fuel lines, Clewett Engineering EFI, a 12V alternator conversion, and stainless steel exhaust system. Comprehensive materials included in the sale offer invoices totaling over $130k, an ignition key set, tool kit, body-color removable hardtop, black canvas tonneau cover, plus removed OEM seats, bumpers, and the former cabriolet roof. Tastefully executed for the driving enthusiast, this 356C build delivers a foundational aircooled driving experience.
Features & Options
Exterior:
- Red exterior respray
- Removable hardtop roof conversion
- Manual rollback ragtop roof
Interior:
- Reupholstered interior — door panels, shifter boot, rear quarter panels, front and rear seat covers, glove box door finish, liner refinish, seat belts
- Aluminium Speedster seats
- OEM replica leather sun visors
- Custom interior carpeting (German Square Weave pattern, Black)
- OEM-style interior speakers
- Heater
Powertrain:
- Rebuilt 1,720cc flat-four engine w/forged racing positions
- SCAT billet crankshaft
- Clewett Engineering EFI System
- Custom fuel and oil cooler lines
- Alternator conversion kit (BOSCH high-power 12V)
- Stainless steel racing exhaust
- Transaxle resealed
Suspension:
- New OEM shocks, bushings & front spindle rebuild
Service Records
Provided service records highlight the following work as invoiced during Porsche’s refurbishment:
Studio Mantovanelli between 2019 and 2021. The records document an extensive restoration rather than routine maintenance, and described activities involving considerable additional fabrication and sourcing.
Engine rebuild & upgrades
- Complete 356C engine rebuild to 1,720cc displacement
- Added a high-output alternator conversion
- Clewett Engineering EFI system with single-plug configuration, TEC-2000 EFI, fuel pump, fuel lines & cam synchronization
- Transmission reseal
- Additional performance components include a SCAT billet crankshaft, 1720cc forged racing pistons, stainless-steel racing exhaust, port-matched heads, & balanced/blueprinted rotating assembly
Chassis, suspension & brakes
- Suspension rebuilt with new OEM shocks & bushings
- Front spindles rebuilt
- Rear brake calipers rebuilt
- Porsche alignment performed, including suspension/ride-height adjustment
- New master-cylinder-related brake line work & other brake-system components were fitted during assembly
Body restoration & paint
- Vehicle fully disassembled for restoration
- Body chemically stripped/treated as necessary, with metal repair performed where required
- Body wet-sanded & polished, with an effort made to preserve original paint where possible
- Extensive preparation included panel fitment, metalwork, sanding, straightening & disassembly/reassembly for paint
- Various trim/body components refinished or replaced, including chrome pieces & rubber seals
Interior restoration
- Extensive custom upholstery work, including extra carpeting for the floor/firewall, door panels, rear-seat covers, sun visors, custom front & rear seats, glove-box refinishing & related interior trim.
- Custom carpet was installed in German square-weave material in a pitch-black color
- OEM-style hardtop & Speedster seats were sourced
- Interior hardware & trim pieces were refinished, restored, or replaced as required
Electrical & instrumentation
- Extensive wiring work performed to ensure proper function of gauges, clock, warning lights, wipers, radio, alarm, door switches & related accessories.
- Gauges were professionally refreshed by North Hollywood Gauges, including conversion to 12V, clock repair, tachometer conversion, fuel-gauge restoration, speedometer calibration & refurbishment of indicator/idiot lights
- Cooling & fuel systems
- Custom fuel lines and oil-cooler lines fabricated
- Dual oil-cooler system installed with custom fittings, brackets, AN supply/return plumbing & custom stone guards
- Fuel and oil caps, fuel-system fittings & related hardware were replaced/restored during assembly
Exterior hardware & finishing
- New windshield installed.
- New/replacement rubber kit & miscellaneous seals fitted
- Rebuilt/restored window mechanisms & latches
- New window & windshield-related rubber installed
- Rear engine grille fitted/corrected.
- Numerous difficult-to-source trim pieces—including vent windows, reversing lights, horn button, radio bezels, knobs & misc brightwork—were sourced & restored.
Final assembly & sorting
- Extensive labor was devoted to final assembly, including drivetrain, suspension, interior, exterior trim, wiring, fuel/oil systems & body components
- Records indicate the project progressed into final assembly & interior work by early 2021, with remaining backordered parts being sourced internationally.
Ownership History & Provenance
This Porsche is currently located with the seller in St. Helena, California.
Known Shortcomings
Sotheby's Motorsport presents this auction in partnership with the seller. This 1965 Porsche 356C Outlaw-Style Roadster shows wear consistent with its age, mileage, and refurbished condition according to a Seller's Disclosure. Please review the entire document by clicking "Seller's Disclosure" above.
Please click the “Contact Seller” button to reach out with any condition-specific questions. This car is sold where-is, as-is, and bidder is responsible for all due diligence regarding vehicle condition.
Items included in the Sale
- Ignition key set
- Owner’s literature
- Service records
- Leather Porsche tool roll, spare wheel/tire
- Body-color removable hardtop
- Black canvas tonneau cover
- Removed OEM front seats
- Removed painted front/rear bumpers
- Removed black cabriolet folding roof
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