I am pleased to offer this ultra rare 1963 Porsche 356B Carrera 2/2000 GS/Reutter Coupe.  This car is being offered by a Porsche collector located on the east coast.  This Carrera 2 GS is only one of 445 built.

A comprehensive inspection of this vehicle was done in 2012.  Results and report are below:

Background: This is a Porsche I am relatively familiar with having known about it for the better part of the past ten years. My most recent inspection was held on January 12^th, 2012. I also inspected the car in the Spring of 2009 when offered for sale by a vendor and client. I have also corresponded and communicated with two of the vehicles previous retail owners about this Porsche having sold them multiple vehicles over the years.

The earliest history of this particular Carrera 2 is not well known. An original KARDEX is not on file and the modern Porsche COAs that have been provided to previous owner’s have multiple inconsistencies. I have doubts about the COAs correctness with regards to the gearbox number as two different ones are provided. I am also doubtful about the interior color. It is possible it was delivered new with a blue leather interior but more than likely the interior color was and remains red leather.

The inspection took place with the permission of the current vendor at the time.   I was given unrestricted access to this vehicle which was delivered to my race, restoration and service facility.  At my shop, I had the use of a hydraulic lift which enabled a comprehensive and full evaluation of both the outer, inner and underside of this vehicle.

I took some supplemental high-resolution inspection images and after examining and editing these and my previous photos I have been able to complete a comprehensive inspection and evaluation of this Porsche. The scope of this inspection was purely cosmetic with an emphasis on originality, correctness and authenticity. No attempt to evaluate the car mechanically was undertaken. It should be noted however that with no advance notification, the vendor was asked to deliver the vehicle to my shop and did so, driving it down some 45 minutes there and back with no known mechanical issues being reported or observed during my overall inspection.

Evaluation Notes:

Outer Coachwork: The Reutter body of this vehicle was devoid in its entirety of any signs of previous accident damage or corrosion of any kind. The car was finished meticulously in the more attractive shade of “Silver Metallic” while is a fair bit lighter than the original Herron Gray. Paint luminosity, density, flow and uniformity was consistently perfect on all panels. There is no evidence of polarization or disparity in color on the main body or any of the removable panels. It was very apparent that extreme effort was taken in the preparation of all outer surfaces prior to the application of any under coating or primer. The same level of care and attention was certainly given to the outer paint and color layers.

All gaps and seams are completely correct as well as uniform in their fit and finish. Where applicable, the original Reutter coachwork process of “tucking and rolling” trim edges was carried out as per original. This is an especially difficult area to correct if not executed properly and on this particular Porsche, it is evident that the base vehicle prior to restoration was very likely an extremely good starting point and the restoration only ensured that these were preserved and incorporated into the final vehicle.

All opening panels appear to be original as delivered new with this vehicle however no body number could be located on the left front hinge of the bonnet. This may have been covered with paint or possibly the hinge or entire bonnet replaced at some point. No other sign of damage or repair was however present leading me to believe that the number is either under the paint or the hinge was replaced at some point.

All mounting hardware and trim, rubber, gaskets and weather seal material is of the highest quality and in most cases clearly the original items from new. The bright work pieces consisting of turn signal, headlight bezel, door handles, rear deck-lid, windscreen trim, front spear etc… are all either NOS or original items fully restored and reconditioned to the same level as the main coachwork itself. No use of inferior reproduction items was noted with the exception of the front windshield, which is a modern replacement. All glass including the front screen is perfect without delamination, scratches, cracks or chips.

Front and rear bumpers are original and correct. Their fit, finish, execution both externally and internally including the mounting hardware and brackets are without fault or issue. Their critical alignment, centering and adjustment for uniformity is consistent with the care taken to all of the external main coachwork and trim of the vehicle. The front windscreen is fitted uniformly and flush without defect or misalignment of any type.

Wheels:          The fitted wheels and caps show at time of inspection are all the correct type with correct part numbers and date codes. No damage or issues could be found on any of them.

Interior:         The same attention and level of quality, care and detail that was exhibited on the external coachwork and trim has been applied equally well to the interior.   The current interior is red leather, while the Porsche COA states blue leather. Without a copy of the KARDEX it is not possible for me to determine what is the correct color. Porsche COA system has too many issues and faults to be used solely as the authority on originality. In any case, all carpeting as well as rubber and trim is as per originally manufactured and fitted when new to these vehicles. If it is a replacement interior it has been done to the highest of standards. Carpeting has the correct weave pattern and is made of the same material. The installation of all items has been done to the very highest level of quality and care. All soft material has the correct grain as well as original stitch pattern.

Under Dash Area:     The wiring-loom, fuse area and exposed detail as well as the backside of the firewall, fuel petcock assembly all located under the dash and ahead of the driver and passenger feet area is fully restored and done in a completely correct original manner without visible fault or issue. The wiring loom is either original or a correct modern replacement giving the appearance of the original but with modern and far more reliable fasteners and connectors. Voltage drops and bad grounds are very difficult to avoid when reusing the old wiring harnesses. It is apparent that great care went into purchasing a new correct modern replacement one or refitting with extreme care the original.

Gauges:          All gauges are completely correct and appear to be all original as delivered. The Carrera 2 using specific model gauges and these are the proper ones found in such vehicles.

Front Trunk Compartment: The level of quality and attention to detail of the other noted area remains consistent with the front trunk compartment. Most importantly the inner coachwork panels show absolutely no signs of rust or accident damage ever. The factory welds are all present and all inner sheet metal is thin, appropriately and uniformly finished and detailed.  The front latch assembly and opening bonnet itself are original the vehicle. They also show no signs of damage or having ever been “kinked” from being improperly closed.

Rear Engine Compartment:    This section only deals with the trim, appearance and hardware of the engine compartment area as well as the opening panel itself. The engine will be discussed in a later section in full detail.

The inner engine compartment detail was impeccably clean and tidy. All fit, finish and appearance of the steel and tin-ware was faultless and excellently prepared and executed.

Floor pan and lower under-side body work: I have inspected very few Porsches from this era that have had such a correct and undamaged, no-rust underside panels. Meticulous attention to detail even in the hidden arrears behind the battery box and jack points attest to the attention and detail extended during the preservation and or restoration of this Porsche. The same can be said of the rockers and longtitudinal areas which are all original and correct. At both the front and rear lower valence edges as well as the side rocker areas, the correct seem and edge finishing is expertly executed as per original Reutter coachwork practices.

Suspension and Brakes:      All suspension components, hardware, brakes, backing, plates, unique “Annular” brake assemblies, hubs, splines etc… are original and correct items. They have been restored to perfection without issue or fault. No attempt has been made to improve or update their appearance, form or function from what would have been installed and fitted form new. All brake lines are new and correct modern replacement items that give the appearance of the original components but are far safer and more reliable. The steering box is the correct stock 356/B unit and it appears to have been completely rebuilt, refinished and refitted to the vehicle. Both front and rear suspension assembly are all excellent and exceedingly original in appearance.

Gearbox:        The gearbox is the correct type 741 unit, however as noted, Porsche’s own COAs do not agree on which was the original numbered unit fitted. Without a copy of the KARDEX it is likely we will never know for sure. The gearbox did however have the correct Carrera 2 camber-compensating, transverse spring assembly and mounting hardware and it is my opinion that the gearbox is either original to the car or a correct period replacement item.

Engine:          The engine in the Carrera 2 is a well known remanufactured unit of the same type and close sequential number to the original. It was rebuilt at approximately 20,000 kilometers and therefore has at this time, very little running time on it.

The quality and finish of the engine and its accessories was impossibly perfect. Most importantly were all of the ultra-rare and impossible to find mid-production Carrera 2 specific accessories such as oil-breather separator, rain-shield air cleaner/silencer assemblies, oil-cooler and lines, etc.. The correct original type carburetors were fully rebuilt and beautifully detailed as were the original air cleaner assemblies. The correct Bosch distributors were fully detailed as was the rest of the engine and accessories.

Overall Assessment:            This Porsche while largely original in nature has also been restored where needed over the years. Just 445 of these rare vehicles were completed in a three year short production run. It is rare to encounter one of this caliber, care and quality. Given the detailed recent records, books, tools, manuals and multiple COAs, it stands apart from most the come to market and is as such a rare find indeed.

Hagerty Valuation:  Hagerty’s current valuation on the 1963 Carrera 2 shows #1 quality at $950,000, #2 quality at $776,000, #3 quality at $580,000 and #4 quality at $440,000.