1964 356C Coupe Restoration

Specialty Cars went to North Carolina to perform a Pre-Purchase Inspection on this 1964 356C Coupe in early 2014. At the time of the pre-purchase, this 356  was a two-owner car; complete, original and unrestored with about 40% of its original paint and 395,320 original miles. After thorough inspection, this car was found to be a well-maintained, original numbers-matching example of a non-restored (survivor) 356 from 1964.

This early 356 C coupe left the factory on September 2, 1963 and was delivered to its’ first owner on September 4, 1963. This is a US spec car, picked up at the Porsche factory and driven in Europe for the first 3,235 miles before being shipped to its’ new home in Palo Alto, California in January of 1964. The original stamped Porsche “Service Book” and Kardex detail the first two thirds of service work being performed in Europe. The first owner meticulously maintained this car, as evidenced by the detailed notations and services performed and documented in the two Porsche “Service Books”, as well as the original “Driver’s Manual”.

In 1971 and 62,439 miles later, the second owner took over the stewardship of this remarkable 356. For the next 42 years and over 325,000 miles, the car was in the capable and talented hands of Ralph Maines of Santa Clara, California. Ralph was a WW II veteran, FBI Special Agent and Director of Security at NASA Ames; though most of all, Ralph was a devoted 356 enthusiast. As a long time figure and active member of the Loma Prieta Region PCA and 356CAR, Ralph volunteered for hundreds of events and was always ready with tools-in-hand to help repair anyone’s 356. As the tribute to Ralph in the July 2015 edition of the Prieta Post newsletter described, “Ralph was a bit of a tech guru when it came to the 356. He did all of his own maintenance and rebuilt not only his own car’s engines, but those of friends.”

Having owned more than one 356 in his lifetime, this was by far Ralph’s favorite. He fondly called the car “M”, after the first letter of the car’s California license plate, which is still with the car today. Sadly, Father Time caught up to Ralph and he was forced to part with “M” in the winter of 2014. Delivered by trailer on a cold February afternoon, “M” was readily welcomed into our shop. Two years later, “M” has received a complete restoration. Throughout this process, careful attention was made to preserve the history and character that “M” had acquired throughout the many miles and years. Most of the parts have been reconditioned and reused wherever possible, maintaining 85-90% of originality.

The intent of this restoration is to put “M” back on the road for yet another 400,000 miles. With this in mind, several decisions were made to improve the long-term survivability and drivability of this 52-year-old car and the new owners are looking forward to making this journey with “M”.

This restoration has since been completed and the car recently had its first debut in the 2016 61st Annual Porsche Parade in Jay Peak, Vermont, were it took an honorable 4th place. Check out pictures below.

Below are some great side by side photos of the original sound deadening next to Specialty Cars’ sound deadening; developed and produced in house.