Finally found one... My 57 356 A

[vicpolky]

Looks great, congrats.

[vwgillybilly]

Looks great, congrats.

Thanks!

A little bit more progress this week..

Fitted the new back lights but decided I wanted all red US spec lenses as I don't want the brake lights lighting up orange!

So I sourced these from Willhoit - almost a shame to open them!



The lights were an ebay score.





I added these grille badges I'd saved & modified the rear number plate by cuting it down as it was massive but I didn't want bike-style plate with the small letters & numbers.

Number plate before (a temporary one I made at work).





After (also sorted the wonky badge now).





Sorted the aerial & Durrant mirror gasket.



So, I still have the bonnet straps to fit & I'm debating on the Carerra GT look (with Carerra badges ). What are people's opinions on this? My car has repro fibre glass bumpers with no overiders or towel rails. The existing trim appears to be repro so I was thinking I may get £120 ish back on that second hand which will go half way to buying the GT bumber trim. The louvered decklid will have to wait to complete the 'look'. I've always been against falsely badging cars (from the days when I used to see falsely badged Polo G40s) but I would like to have a little fun with the car before I return it back to it's original colour.

I still need to get the wheels painted, sort the rear window trim & adjust the rear bumper.

Something like this...



Cheers.

Gill.

[roy mawbey]

Gill,

I make a few points, but its your car and and as long as you are happy that is then main thing.

I personally prefer bumpers with out the 'towel rails' as you call them. If you do use overiders you would need normal ones without the semicircle hole.

Carrera badges are nice to look at but..

The rear lights red/amber lenses can be modified to operate redtaillight and red stoplight and the amber only for indicating a turn. Did mine 40 years ago. I think red indicators might well confuse some people and in the event of something happening might? be a problem.

I know Mike or Paul Smith at PRS had modified those lights if you don't wish to DIY.

So, its really up to you. But you did ask

Roy

[vwgillybilly]

Fair play Roy - input appreciated & not offended!

Towel rail is a term I've carried over from my VW side - glad you find it amusing!

I may or may not fit the Carerra badges, however I do like the GT trim as I think it looks more purposeful plus it's cheaper than 4 overiders. The trim is something in the region of £300 with fittings etc.

As for the tailights I have two wires, one for the tail light and one for the indicator/brake light. They are both single filament bulb holders so I ran the light feed to the inner bulb and the indicator brake to the outer bulb.

I am experienced with USA spec and Euro (Semaphore) Beetles/Buses & am quite used to accounting for other drivers, however I shall keep my new Euro spec lenses just in case!

Regards.

Gill.

[Jeremy 356 (Jez 356)]

I think if you do the carrera bumper trim and deck lid louvres then that would be great. I wish I had time and money to sort mine like that.

I have all red beehives - I have had a few times when people have come too close for my liking, so I got PRS to help me install a third brakelight in the grill - this has given me a little more confidence that people will not rear end me.

Added bonus if you do it to the fibre glass bumpers then you could always do some metal ones if you find them with standard trim. I do not have over riders on mine and prefer the cleaner look.

What colour are you planning to paint it? Why are you going to paint the wheels? Or are you going for the grey/silver paint to be more of a carrera look alike?

Also are you going to clean off the 'gold' paint? from the drums?

My only problem is that if you are trying to make the car look like a real carrera, then people will only make negative comments when they find fault. If you openly just 'upgrade' your car to have some carrera touches then good for you.

Keep us updated, great work so far, make sure you use it before the weather changes!

Regards Jeremy

356A T1 1956

[vwgillybilly]

Cheers Jez.

Wheels need painting because they had beauty rings on which scuffed the paint. At close range they look quite tatty. As for the drums... A few people like them gold but I'm a stickler for original with stuff like that, I may just leave them raw Ali.

Yes I'd love some original bumpers, I'm almost convinced to go for GT trim & freshen the bumpers up while I'm there. I'd just weld & smooth the sill trim holes & blow them in. Maybe run it bumperless for a while over winter.

If I were to paint it then it would be silver - the original colour. The interior should be red but the tan interior that's in now is fantastic. Anyone have a red one to swap?!!

I'm also tempted by a Sebring exhaust, I've been looking at the ones on offer from KK & Turbo Thomas there's a significant difference in price but the Turbo Thomas system doesn't have an additional baffle.

Cheers.

Gill

[Bootsy]

Speak to Rich (Turbo Thomas) as he can build with baffles.

I bought one from KK once, lovely thing and I also bought the 'baffle' but note sure it made any difference

[KEVFITZ]

Thanks for your interesting thread...

I got Turbo Thomas to make this up for me for my 1960 T5 ...great sound, deep roar but not intrusive at cruising speed.





Enjoy you car !!!

Regards

KEVFITZ

[Dave Lane]

Love how you have cut the rear plate down Gill, thats exactly what I am going to do with my rear plate it looks good.
Is the front one a stick on or a Velcro, im thinking putting mine under the bumper. the vents and badges I love.
where did you get the rear plate from I like the silver letter style. Good update Gill

[Jeremy 356 (Jez 356)]

All sounds really positive and I would agree that silver with red
interior works well ( that is my combination !).

Wheels sound great and also exhaust.

One thing I want to do is put speedster seats in. Maybe something
else for your list too ?!

Looking forward to your next update.

Regards Jeremy.
356a T1 1956

[vwgillybilly]

Cheers guys - lots of food for thought!

Well it seems I've hammered Photobucket so I'll see if these load.

Flipped the rear bumper & it now sits loads better - no pics though.

Fitted new rear lights & nos red lenses.

Made some brackets & fitted some Bosch 'nipple' fog lights I had lying around - still have to wire them up. I bought one of the superb repro light up switches off ebay which are a very close copy of the SWF ones but about 1/5 of the price.

Made some stainless tailpipe trims until I make my mind up about an exhaust....

Gill.

[vwgillybilly]

[sladey]

s'lovely

[kvinyl]

very nice, I love all the little additions you're making to it

[Dave Lane]

Looking great Gill, thats more things to go on my shopping list