1965 Porsche 356C Transformed into Stunning Emory Special Cabriolet

This remarkable 1965 Porsche 356C originally began its life as a coupe but underwent an impressive transformation into an Emory Special cabriolet, executed by the renowned Emory Motorsports. The vehicle was delivered to its previous owner in February 2024, and subsequently acquired by the father of the current seller through Bring a Trailer in June 2024. Under the hood, this classic beauty is powered by a specially engineered 2.6-liter Emory-Rothsport flat-four engine that combines internal components from a Porsche 911 with bespoke parts, all housed within a custom-cast case. This innovative engine is equipped with electronic fuel injection featuring individual throttle bodies, a twin-spark coil-on-plug ignition system, and a dry-sump lubrication setup.
The car is presented in a striking Tropical Green Metallic paint, complemented by a luxurious Vine Green leather interior. The bodywork boasts several custom modifications, including a lowered removable hardtop, a more aggressive windshield rake for a sportier aesthetic, and the deletion of traditional bumpers. Additionally, rolled rocker panels and a louvered decklid further enhance its unique profile. The vehicle is equipped with a Type 901 five-speed manual transaxle, ensuring a dynamic driving experience along with four-wheel ventilated disc brakes to guarantee reliable stopping power. Other notable features include PEP adjustable shock absorbers, a rear suspension setup inspired by the Porsche 911, 16 billet aluminum wheels, a custom 15-gallon aluminum fuel tank, and customized reclining seats. The interior also features a MOMO steering wheel and modern electric air conditioning for comfort.
This Emory Special cabriolet is currently available for sale in Frisco, Texas, where the seller is offering it on behalf of the current owner. The sale includes a detachable black convertible top, a tonneau cover, an Emory shift knob, a spare fuel cap, and a clean title from Montana in the name of the owners LLC.
While classic Emory Outlaw builds often maintain a factory-like appearance, Rod Emorys Specials are known for their one-off modifications that set each vehicle apart. In this instance, the transformation from coupe to an open-roof configuration involved several custom touches, including inverted decklid louvers, an increase in the windshield rake angle, the removal of bumpers, and the addition of Pre-A-style rolled rocker panels that contribute to the vehicle's distinct look.
Finished in the eye-catching Tropical Green Metallic, this special build also features custom mesh horn grilles and brake duct covers, along with a through-hood competition-style fuel filler. The GT-style fender-mounted side mirrors are housed in body-colored casings, and specialized competition-style decklid hinges add to its racing pedigree. The low-profile body-color removable hardtop is designed to be interchangeable with either a black soft top or a black tonneau, both of which are included in the sale. Additionally, the hood handle has been removed, and the vehicle comes with a spare black fuel cap that features a mockingbird silhouette grab handle.
The 16x5.5 billet aluminum wheels have a sleek black finish and are secured to brushed hubs. Each wheel is fitted with 205/55 Michelin PS A/S tires, offering excellent grip and stability on the road. For braking, the vehicle utilizes a custom four-wheel setup featuring slotted and ventilated disc brakes, an ATE master cylinder, and reliable rear parking brake mechanisms designed for performance.
Inside the cabin, the car is adorned with luxurious Vine Green leather featuring perforated inserts, covering lowered reclining bucket seats enhanced with 2 extended backrests for both the driver and passenger. The rear seats have been removed to create a more spacious feel, complemented by gray square-weave carpeting and black rubber floor mats for practicality. Safety features include latch-and-link lap belts, roll-up windows, convenient door pockets, a custom aluminum passenger grab handle, and black switchgear knobs. The cabin is further upgraded with Classic Retrofit electric air conditioning to ensure comfort during drives.
The MOMO steering wheel, which features an etched Emory hub, is positioned in front of an array of VDO instrumentation. This includes a central 8,000-rpm tachometer, a 120-mph speedometer, and a combination gauge for monitoring oil pressure, oil temperature, and fuel level. Remarkably, the five-digit odometer displays just 408 miles since the completion of the build, suggesting that this vehicle has barely been broken in. Additionally, a mechanical VDO Kienzle clock is thoughtfully placed in the glovebox door for added convenience.
Powering this unique Porsche is the 2.6-liter Outlaw-4 flat-four engine, meticulously designed by Jeff Gamroth of Rothsport Racing. This engine is a compact interpretation of the architecture found in the 911, utilizing custom components that include a sand-cast aluminum case, 6061 billet camshaft housings, Elgin billet camshafts, and a stroker crankshaft. The performance of this engine is further enhanced by Rothsport fuel injection, which features individual throttle bodies, alongside an advanced MoTec-controlled twin coil-on-plug ignition system. The car is equipped with a sophisticated full-flow dry-sump lubrication system complete with oil coolers and a remote filter, as well as a Fuelab fuel pressure regulator and gauge, and reinforced fiberglass shrouding. Emory Motorsports has rated the output of this exceptional engine at an impressive 260 horsepower. Additional highlights include a hand-built 15-gallon aluminum fuel tank, a front-mounted electric oil-cooling fan, and custom stainless-steel exhaust headers that culminate in a sport muffler, delivering both performance and an exhilarating driving experience.