Restoration of 1958 RHD 356A
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Restoration of 1958 RHD 356A
Hello fellow DDKers. I've been lurking on the forum for some time and thought it was time to show my hand (or rather my car).
After years of looking for a suitable restoration project I finally took the plunge and bought the car (or rather bits) from PRS in late 2009. Why this car? Well, it is an AFN supplied car with the first owner being Betty Haig, and so I thought it well worth saving despite its dire condition...... The car also retains its original UK registration number "27 SMD".
I have no practical restoration experience at all and so the guys at Sportwagen have been working their magic over the past 8 or 9 months. The shell is now in the queue for paint, which will be Aquamarine Blue (5707) as per original.
The car will be reassembled by PRS using the original (albeit tweaked) engine, with completion hopefully by the middle of next year.
Hope the very small selection of photos that follow are of interest (I have literally hundreds if anyone wants to see specific areas of metalwork - Sportwagen do like to ensure their clients are kept up to speed on progress).
If anyone knows the car any history on it, especially early history, would be most appreciated.
After years of looking for a suitable restoration project I finally took the plunge and bought the car (or rather bits) from PRS in late 2009. Why this car? Well, it is an AFN supplied car with the first owner being Betty Haig, and so I thought it well worth saving despite its dire condition...... The car also retains its original UK registration number "27 SMD".
I have no practical restoration experience at all and so the guys at Sportwagen have been working their magic over the past 8 or 9 months. The shell is now in the queue for paint, which will be Aquamarine Blue (5707) as per original.
The car will be reassembled by PRS using the original (albeit tweaked) engine, with completion hopefully by the middle of next year.
Hope the very small selection of photos that follow are of interest (I have literally hundreds if anyone wants to see specific areas of metalwork - Sportwagen do like to ensure their clients are kept up to speed on progress).
If anyone knows the car any history on it, especially early history, would be most appreciated.
Keith
Early 1956 RHD T1 (101st AFN)
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DDK# 0458
Early 1956 RHD T1 (101st AFN)
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DDK# 0458
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looks like a great starting point....please keep posting pics and updates
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Jason
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Rolex & Omega Watch Purchases & Sales
Jason
https://www.SweepingHand.co.uk
Rolex & Omega Watch Purchases & Sales
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It looks excelent for RHD car.
Did it need alot of metal repairs?
Love to see restro photos, why not post on photobucket?
David
Did it need alot of metal repairs?
Love to see restro photos, why not post on photobucket?
David
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Hi David, it needed plenty of metalwork; someone working on it full time for close to nine months. The first photo above shows what at first glance looks like a reasonable shell before blasting, but it turned out to be riddled with rot, particularly underneath. The car had been left sitting disassembled at what was Hatfield OPC for some time (could have been years) before PRS got hold of it. A shell standing in water isn't going to last long!
Now that I have managed the basics of posting photos I will certainly put some more on photobucket over the coming days and put the link on here. I must have close to 600 photos showing the extensive metalwork carried out and so will have to be selective to avoid bring photobucket down!
Now that I have managed the basics of posting photos I will certainly put some more on photobucket over the coming days and put the link on here. I must have close to 600 photos showing the extensive metalwork carried out and so will have to be selective to avoid bring photobucket down!
Keith
Early 1956 RHD T1 (101st AFN)
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DDK# 0458
Early 1956 RHD T1 (101st AFN)
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DDK# 0458
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Certainly i know that feeling. Take a look at my rhd shell on photobuket!!
David
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David, I've just had a look through your photo bucket pics of the RHD shell!!!!! I'm no expert, but mine was in a similar state underneath, but with a significantly better outer skin! I can now see why you opted for a replacement shell (or rather replacement car?).
Hendrik, positive words from such a knowledgeable fellow Yorkshireman are much appreciated.
What a friendly bunch you DDKers are....
Hendrik, positive words from such a knowledgeable fellow Yorkshireman are much appreciated.
What a friendly bunch you DDKers are....
Keith
Early 1956 RHD T1 (101st AFN)
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DDK# 0458
Early 1956 RHD T1 (101st AFN)
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DDK# 0458
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For you metalwork voyeurs out there I have downloaded (and will continue to download) lots more photos on Photobucket. Make sure you click on the "All Albums" tab to get the full experience.
http://s1125.photobucket.com/albums/l59 ... ableoldgit
http://s1125.photobucket.com/albums/l59 ... ableoldgit
Keith
Early 1956 RHD T1 (101st AFN)
_________________________________
DDK# 0458
Early 1956 RHD T1 (101st AFN)
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DDK# 0458
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Good to see another RHD A in Yorks Keith, having being in a similar position not too long ago you can really see the quality of the work gone in so far, look forward to seeing it finished on a Northern meet in the future - in the meantime keep us updated with lots of pics
James
'58 356A 1600n
'71 911E 2,2
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'58 356A 1600n
'71 911E 2,2
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- Bootsy
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Why thanks, looking forward to watching your car progress. Looking superb so farporscheman wrote:
What a friendly bunch you DDKers are....
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Vintage Heuer, Omega, Zenith and other vintage watches - http://www.heuerheritage.co.uk