Finally found one... My 57 356 A

[Dave Lane]

Well done Gill with the A looks really great, looking forward to more pics. hope to be picking up my B in 2 weeks time.

[madasasnake]

Looks lovely!

It must be a great feeling to pick your A up from the docks, after what for anybody, regardless of bravery, must be an anxious wait!

[vwretrosteve]

Nice find ... Sympathetically stock resto sounds ideal

[vwgillybilly]

Cheers for the kind comments people!

It isn't a minter but it isn't a nail either. The underside is lovely & did some digging about yesterday & the panels are all matching numbers so that's a bonus!

Started some small jobs yesterday, sorted the back light seals which hadn't been fitted correctly & repaired the rear pop out 'knob' as the threads had stripped - made an insert & bonded it in.

I'm going to have to wait for the DVLA to get it registered so I might start on the wheels & polish the drums.

Here are some more pics.

Thanks.

Gill

[vwgillybilly]

Rear light seals sorted.

Before...



After - took loads of tweaking!



Cover fitted - the guy I bought it off put it in the car along with all receipts, 2 x Sunstar 356A Carerra models, a spare combo gauge, a journal of the engine rebuild & some other assorted spares - nice guy!



Cheers.

Gill

[Hendrik Moulds]

Congratulations Gill, looks like you've bought a nice honest car there.
Bet it puts a smile on your face just thinking about it sat in you garage.

[vwgillybilly]

Congratulations Gill, looks like you've bought a nice honest car there.
Bet it puts a smile on your face just thinking about it sat in you garage.

Thanks!

Yes it's nice knowing I have one, especially as I thought I'd missed the boat in terms of buying a driver in my price range. I've been waiting a while & had started to accept I may have to buy a project car.

It was certainly tough handing over the cash as I essentially worked my way through several VW split buses over the last 9-10 years & saved the money so I had quite a lot to lose, however people are doing it day in day out so I took the chance & fortunately the guy I bought it off was very patient!

Cheers

Gill

[Mike Smith]

Gill,

Putting all the correct decals on the parts in the Engine Bay, will really `lift` the look of it

Simple, cheap satisfying job

[vwgillybilly]

I'll put an order in with you then Mike!

Sort the decals I need please & I'll call you tomorrow after work. I also need a leather spare wheel strap and mirror seal. Is it known as a Durrant mirror on the driver's door?

Thanks

Gill

[roy mawbey]

Gill,

I have a 356C early 911 Durant mirror on my door. I prefered it to the 'aero ' version usually put on 'A' cars. I bought miner in the early 70's. From your photos it not so clear but think you are correct it is a Durant. However, I think you would be very lucky to find the rubber seal for that if its original . They make repros now of that mirror maybe Mike can help on that.

Roy

[vwgillybilly]

Thanks Roy.

Been in touch with Mike directly who's sorting me some parts out - top bloke!

He concurs & says even the repro Durant mirror seals are difficult to obtain... So I may have make one or change to another style mirror - Carerra?!!

Not much done this week due to being back at work, ordered some Pegasus decals for the wings but not even looked at it for the last 2 days!

Good news though, I spoke to HMRC & the car is on the NOVA system so I'm off to the DVLA with the reference number after work tomorrow!

Regards.

Gill

[decapman]

Lovely looking car,
Get it on the road over the weekend, trip to Hedingham maybe?

[vwgillybilly]

Thanks!

However I believe things are different with the DVLA these days? I don't think it's a simple case of turning up at the office & getting a registration plate, I've been told the stuff has to be sent to DVLA central office to be processed which can take 2 weeks!

Regards.

Gill

[vwgillybilly]

Update...

I've been doing some subtle improvements. Mike at PR Services has been a diamond. He sorted me with the engine decals, new banjo copper washers for the fuel feeds, a dynamo wire boot, new wiper shaft seals & a spare wheel strap.

When I collected the car there was a small drip from the feed on the left hand carb. A quick 'nip' sorted it but I wasn't confident. When I installed the new washers the threads stripped so I had it helicoiled & the banjo mating face milled true.

I refitted the carb top & still didn't have a perfect seal so I upgraded the copper washers to fuel resistant bonded Dowty seals. I double checked by immersing a Dowty in fuel for 24 hours & it didn't degrade.

If anyone wants to upgrade to the Dowty seals on Zenith / Solex carbs I'm happy to supply them for free!

I've ditched the B caps & beauty rings & applied some Pegasus decals to toughen it up a bit!

Cheers.

Gill.

[vwgillybilly]

Next jobs...

Correct wonky front badge, fit bonnet straps, source some moon hubcaps & refurb wheels.

Gill