1961 356B Notchback

Offered for just two years, Porsche’s 356B “Notchback” began as a 356 Cabriolet with a hardtop welded on to meet the high demand for a hardtop version of the Cabriolet. For 1962, the T6 body received its own production design, incorporating elements from both the Cabriolet and the Coupe. During its brief run, fewer than 2,000 of these “Karmann Hardtops” were produced, accounting for less than 2% of total 356 production.

This 1961 356B Notchback came out of 61 years of family ownership and was refinished in its original Slate Gray over a Red leatherette interior. It features a replacement flat-four sourced from a ’61 356B, installed prior to the family’s 1964 acquisition, and rebuilt in 2012 with 86mm pistons, a 9.15:1 compression ratio, and upgraded pushrod tubes and lifters. Additional work includes a valve adjustment in 2021 and a new temperature sensor in 2023. Overall, it’s a very nice example with long-term ownership and solid service records.

Even though the Notchback is far rarer than the standard T5 and T6 356B Coupe, it has traditionally sold at a discount, as enthusiasts tend to prefer the classic lines of the standard Coupe. While T6 356B Coupes have averaged $74,800 over the past twelve months, Notchbacks have hovered around $52,000, with a high of $60,909. This particular example was worthy of a new high, which it achieved with a final bid of $69,999. Unfortunately, the seller wanted more, and the car went unsold. All the money was on the table here. They should have taken it.

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