Restoration of 1958 RHD 356A

[Hendrik Moulds]

You're welcome and if you need to look at my A for reference it's no problem.

[porscheman]

I may just do that Hendrik, but in the meantime do you have any photos of it on DDK (or elsewhere)? I recall it is silver with red upholstery? But what colour is the carpet? Red, Oatmeal or Tan?

All of my metalwork photos are now on Photobucket.

http://s1125.photobucket.com/albums/l59 ... ableoldgit

[Hendrik Moulds]

The carpet is oatmeal, you are right about the rest.

You can view the photos I have here: http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r291 ... 1QQtppZZ16

[porscheman]

That will keep her who must be obeyed happy ...

[roy mawbey]

Keith,

You are setting about the restoration in a very good way. When a 356 needs work its the only way really for the future. Yes, I used to visit Shellingford House near Farringdon for the PCGB picnics in the very early 70's where Betty always made everyone welcome with her partner Barbara Marshall. Her range of cars was very impressive and her Elizabethian house and grounds impressive also.

It was only when she bought a 1950 356 coupe that I really had much contact with her as my brother ran a 51 split screen for a number of years and she saw it at Shellingford when we both went in our 356's

We then had several visits by ourselves to the house to discuss her renovation of her old 356 and she took many pics of my brothers car to make copies. I remember being asked if I wanted Chinese or Indian tea and if I smoked I could use upturned early Ferrari pistons as ash trays. I didn't smoke and guessed Indian was the type of tea I drank

She did mention her "A"mainly because she knew I had one. I never saw it and to my knowledge or memory it was sold before 1969? I have PGGB posts going back to 69 and through the 70's and I never to my memory saw a picture of it.
She did say how much she enjoyed the 356 and took great interest in the early one. As you may know she moved finally to Petworth and passed away there.

Sorry I can't help more, at the time it didn't seem so important of course now I wish I had asked her more about her "A".

I took some photo's of cars at the Picnics one in 1972 I think of Delwyn Mallets red Speedster with yellow wheels. I used to see it parked outside Osterley underground station and Iselworth station but never knew it was his or that nearly 40 years on he would still own it

Roy

[porscheman]

Thanks for the encouragement Roy. I had considered buying a runner, but as it is hopefully going to be a keeper decided to go the whole hog.

Your posts on DDK and the 356 Registry forum are always very informative, and I realised you knew Betty Haig from your previous thread on her original restoration of the split screen pre A (that is now owned by Porsche Cars GB), and from references to you and your brother in Porsche Posts of the late 60s/early 70s.

I’ve managed to get hold of various motoring magazines containing articles about her, starting with one by the late Bill Boddy in 1965. These make fascinating reading and clearly show her obsession with motor cars and motorsport throughout her life (to the detriment of everything else).

I believe my car to be the first A owned by her from new (her first A being what today is referred to as “pre-owned”), but she didn’t keep it long before replacing with a B (which she later regretted). She then appears to have had a Porsche of one model or another in her “stable” until her death. As you may know her “stable” at the time you knew her contained a collection of such quality as BMW328, AC Ace and Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica (all of which she had driven in competition).

Your experience of Shellingford made me smile. It was apparently Barbara’s family home, but I suspect not many visitors realised that. Nice to see early Ferrari pistons being used as ashtrays rather than early Porsche ones? She did of course drive a Ferrari at the 1951 Le Mans. Give me a good English Breakfast Tea instead of this fancy stuff!

I do wish I had some early photos of the car and so if you come across any you know how to get hold of me. It appears 27 SMD was owned for the majority of the 1960s by a Captain (later Major) G H Hale of the RAOC, but I've not been able to find anything more about him.

[porscheman]

The paint starts to go on. I am told this is the base coat of primer and is Glasurit Epoxy. Dark Grey two pack primer next.....

[porscheman]

and here are a couple of shots with the Glasurit Dark Grey two pack primer applied to the exterior

[porscheman]

and the top coat is on......Aquamarine 5707.

[964RS]

I LOVE freshly painted cars

Looks great

[squirdan]

looks v good...could almost be slate grey mcqueen!

[Darren65]

Beautiful in base coat, beautiful in primer and beautiful in top coat

Simply stunning, great job.

Darren

[porscheman]

Thanks Guys.

Now to the underside. Glasurit Epoxy primer followed by Wurth SKS anti gravel coat.

[left4dead]

Coming along nicely, Keith.

I remember seeing some photos of this car when it was dissembled and being offered for sale but I didn't have the available resources (or the cajones!) to jump in. I'm real glad someone did though and really look forward to seeing her come to fruition.

It will be stunning... of that, I have no doubt.

Keep the photos coming, please!!!

[porscheman]

A few more shots of the finished paintwork. She's moving over to PRS next week for the assembly to begin.