“See Where They Rust” is a series and category where we feature listings that do a particularly good job displaying where certain models tend to suffer from rust. We love looking for rust-free cars, but we have learned a ton about how to inspect the dry cars from looking at photos of heavily rusted models. Obviously floors and rocker panels are always at risk, but every model has different special areas where they corrode. We hope that this series is informative and helpful when you are verifying the claims of sellers and their “99% rust free” cars. -BaT

This 1958 Porsche 356A has rust in all the usual Porsche places, though it does appear to hold a measure of apparent structural integrity that not all rusty Porsches retain. This one shows heavy corrosion everywhere, to the point of the rocker skins being entirely absent. Find it here on Hemmings in Brook Park, Ohio for $39,500. Special thanks to BaT reader Mark K. for this submission.

While deteriorated paint is often par for the course with a restoration project, this car shows it deteriorating differently depending on its location, with an uneven coat of primer over most panels, save the almost paint-free hood and freshly primed looking bumpers. The nose shows some heavy creasing, and significant surface rust can be seen pretty much everywhere.

As with most cars, the 356 rockers are among the first items to rust, though unlike most cars, they are a simple flat panel, and not a boxed structural section (the inner longitudinal being the structural member). The lower doors show some rust as well, and evidence of past patches can be seen in the wheel wells.

As the car’s lowest and most forward floor section, the battery box often suffers pretty badly and this one is no exception. This battery box is even missing most of the structural brace which goes laterally across the floor, and which can be seen here.

Working aft, the main part of the floor appears to be in much the same condition as the battery box, with several significant holes showing in various areas. Weirdly the leading edge of the floor shows less deterioration than usual, but the large isolated holes elsewhere make up for it. Though not photographed particularly well, the front suspension mounts are an important area to examine for rot.

The longitudinal members, particularly where they hit the forward door pillar, are in better than expected shape and the car apparently has enough structural integrity to make a vertical trip on a two-post lift. The true extent of rot in the floors is alarming, though inconsistent with where rust usually crops up–generally they rot from the front and work their way back in snow-belt cars. Some additional parts are included, though replacement front and rear window glass are not among the spares.

Unfortunately the drivetrain is sourced from a VW, and as can be seen here is not installed properly. While this car may well live again, putting it right will be an arduous process. Fortunately, exterior and structural parts are all readily available from numerous vendors.