In a Nutshell:
- An abandoned late 1950s Porsche 356 Cabriolet, resting deep in the Ohio woods on land owned by a friend of Reddit user David’s mom, has been the subject of fascination and speculation amongst online car enthusiasts after David posted pictures of the decaying vehicle.
- The 356 Cabriolet, a historical gem of the automotive world, was one of the earliest sports models produced by Porsche, boasting a notable fanbase, including the likes of Hollywood legend James Dean and singer-songwriter Janis Joplin.
- Despite the car’s poor condition, Reddit users highlighted its potential value for restoration or parts. David expressed interest in retrieving the car, though any decision rests with the landowner, his mom’s friend.
Among the many quirky treasures the internet offers, a rusting relic resting in the heart of the Ohio woods has been driving the online crowd wild—meet the Porsche 356 Cabriolet from the late 1950s.
A forgotten artifact, decaying yet captivating, was captured in an image posted by a Reddit user, causing an online frenzy amongst classic car enthusiasts.
David, the poster and annual woods explorer, has known about the car on his mom’s friend’s property for years.
“Every year we go over for a cookout. I would always walk into the woods to look at it. I just decided to post it this time,” he told Newsweek.
Like a forest-dwelling Cinderella awaiting her prince, the car remains broken, rusted, and swathed in nature’s overgrowth.
Its history is shrouded in mystery, with no one knowing how this classic piece of automobilia found its home deep in the Ohio woods.
The Porsche 356 Cabriolet is a piece of motoring history.
Produced between 1948 and 1965, it was one of the earliest sports models churned out by the revered auto manufacturer. Its design was the brainchild of Ferdinand “Ferry” Porsche, son of the company’s founder.
As it turns out, the iconic car was inspired by another iconic car, the Volkswagen Beetle.
The 356 Cabriolet, known for its sleek silhouette and convertible roof, had a fanbase that glowed with the sheen of Hollywood glamour.
Silver-screen legend James Dean and bohemian singer-songwriter Janis Joplin were two of its famous owners.
Nestled alongside the abandoned Porsche is a trailer. The license plate on it expired back in 1984.
“There is a trailer near it with a license plate still attached. That plate expired in 1984. The car itself has no plates,” said David.
Its presence hints at an earlier, yet unsuccessful, rescue attempt.
When David shared the image of the car on the subreddit r/whatisthiscar, the response was electric.
“That still is worth some serious bucks for parts alone,” exclaimed one Redditor.
Meanwhile, another user pointed out: “It’s probably absolutely worth restoring it.”
Some even suggested that the rare car could be a valuable retirement investment if successfully extracted from its woodsy haven.
Though he’s keen on retrieving the car, David admitted, “Getting it out would be a hell of an effort but ultimately very cool to do.”
The decision, however, isn’t his to make.
As he states, “I don’t own the land. My mom’s friend does and therefore has the authority to make that decision.”
This tale of a classic car lost and found again leaves us on a cliffhanger.
It’s the ‘Herbie’ sequel we never knew we needed: “Herbie: Lost in the Woods.”
Until the fate of the vintage vehicle is decided, internet users and Porsche lovers can continue to dream of the ’59 Cabriolet’s grand return to the highway.
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