356B (T5) Help

[TBone]

Hi

I'm in negotiation with a guy in Florida about buying his 356. He owns several Porsche's and, as a project, has restored this 356 to, what looks like, new. It has been restored to the factory build and has matching numbers engine & transmission. The engine & transmission have been professionally rebuilt & everything else on the car, that hasn't been renewed, has been rebuilt.

The bodywork was taken back to bare metal & resprayed. The car really does look in mint condition. Don't know if it's possible to include pictures or I would have.

There are however a few things that haven't been done, for reasons I won't bore you with, so I'll have to get them done when the car lands on UK soil.

Does anyone know of a Porsche specialist in or around the Sheffield area where I can get these things done?

[Burma-Shave]

Welcome to the forum and life with a 356. Have a look here about posting pictures
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3864

I don't know about Sheffield area for early cars but someone will be along who does. Is it mechanical or body it needs?

If you want someone who really knows 356s, which would be better, you may need to travel.. PR services (who are helpful on here) or Andy Prill in Essex, Roger Bray in Devon, or Mike Bainbridge in sunny Kendal, also the world's best Porsche gearbox expert .

[Hugo 356]

Gantspeed in Lincolnshire also have a good reputation for working on and restoring 356s

https://www.gantspeed.co.uk/

Good luck
Hugo

[TBone]

Try this link to photos of the car.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wrb1hd4z7zpk ... axZ_a?dl=0

[Kenyon]

Hi - Looks lovely. The PCA badge is a good sign.

My B came off the line a few hundred after yours - assuming the chassis numbers are consecutive.

Gantspeed are good - I had some work done there a long time back. Also recommend Steve at JAZ and every time I have spoken to PRS they have been more than helpful - just a little further away for me so I haven't the car there. I'm not sure of anywhere closer to Sheffield.

In terms of radio, I don't bother - I was toying with the idea of getting a Bose speaker and playing through bluetooth. I always wondered if I would be able to hear the radio.

For security, I did a load of research. I didn't want to wire into the ignition - 6 volt system and battery drainage. I came to the conclusion the MTrack type of system is best:

https://www.trackersecurity.co.uk/Autom ... y=12874021

As I understand it, when its dormant it checks in to a mobile phone tower every 1 hour (less or more depending on how its set). You can set an anchor and if the unit is moved outside a zone it notifies you. If the car is stolen you switch to RF mode and the company has tracking experts that take over. Also it has something like a year battery life.

The beauty of the system is thieves can't tell it has a security device. With GPS based security this is always emitting a signal they can use a cheap scanner to see if this is turned on and jam it. The RF technology is the old school radio frequency triangulation.

Worth noting there is an annual subscription and also a cost for retrieval.

You could just take the rotor arm off!

Look forward to hearing seeing more about the car.

Phil

[oldtimer]

Agree that you need to go to someone who knows 356s , there are not many in UK , my suggestions have already been suggested (!) and I don't know of any in Sheffield area . The centre of gravity of Porsche fettling is down south , probably in Essex!

My top pick would be Steve Winter , Jaz , near St Albans and easy to access from M1 .

Car sounds good so don't compromise it. Good luck !

[vwgillybilly]

Hi

I'm in negotiation with a guy in Florida about buying his 356. He owns several Porsche's and, as a project, has restored this 356 to, what looks like, new. It has been restored to the factory build and has matching numbers engine & transmission. The engine & transmission have been professionally rebuilt & everything else on the car, that hasn't been renewed, has been rebuilt.

The bodywork was taken back to bare metal & resprayed. The car really does look in mint condition. Don't know if it's possible to include pictures or I would have.

There are however a few things that haven't been done, for reasons I won't bore you with, so I'll have to get them done when the car lands on UK soil.

Does anyone know of a Porsche specialist in or around the Sheffield area where I can get these things done?

You’re literally 5 mins from me - I’m in Old Whittington, Chesterfield.

I’ll pm my number. I don’t know the world about 356s but I’m restoring my second A so I can certainly help you.

Gill

[VCG]

From the first time I used PRS in Essex I found them to be simply superb, and they have continued to be so, in fact they are doing a gearbox rebuild for me as we speak.

Although I have never used anyone else, and it's not exactly geographically suitable, it's a good staring point. I believe they are the sort of people, that if they knew trustworthy companies closer, they'd be happy to point you in the right direction.
Hope this helps
VCG

[Hendrik Moulds]

Hi - Looks lovely. The PCA badge is a good sign.

My B came off the line a few hundred after yours - assuming the chassis numbers are consecutive.

Gantspeed are good - I had some work done there a long time back. Also recommend Steve at JAZ and every time I have spoken to PRS they have been more than helpful - just a little further away for me so I haven't the car there. I'm not sure of anywhere closer to Sheffield.

In terms of radio, I don't bother - I was toying with the idea of getting a Bose speaker and playing through bluetooth. I always wondered if I would be able to hear the radio.

For security, I did a load of research. I didn't want to wire into the ignition - 6 volt system and battery drainage. I came to the conclusion the MTrack type of system is best:

https://www.trackersecurity.co.uk/Autom ... y=12874021

As I understand it, when its dormant it checks in to a mobile phone tower every 1 hour (less or more depending on how its set). You can set an anchor and if the unit is moved outside a zone it notifies you. If the car is stolen you switch to RF mode and the company has tracking experts that take over. Also it has something like a year battery life.

The beauty of the system is thieves can't tell it has a security device. With GPS based security this is always emitting a signal they can use a cheap scanner to see if this is turned on and jam it. The RF technology is the old school radio frequency triangulation.

Worth noting there is an annual subscription and also a cost for retrieval.

You could just take the rotor arm off!

Look forward to hearing seeing more about the car.

Phil

I always take the rotor arm out if I'm on a long multi-day trip. It's an easily done thing that might slow down or hamper a theft.

I know there are other specialists but I've used PRS for many years even though they are 200 miles away.
There's a lot to be said for finding someone who will simply do the job right and with care.

[roy mawbey]

I agree with Hendrick PRS in Essex have saved me hours of work. Mike Smith knows its unlikely they will work on my car as in 50 odd years so far! never taken it anywhere for work. But more than once Mike passed on tips to me about several jobs I was confused with, that I will never forget. He contributes much to this forum that is always worth while reading.

If the occasion ever arrives when I am stuck, then my car will go to PRS. I can say generally the car can be worked on well by yourself with care. Its not the same with my BMW daily driver I have done work on it but its never ever, been easy. Get a few books even the Henry Elfrink one, as the normal things that can catch you out are well explained. You can get copies of the Factory workshop manuals as well just look on internet. You would be advised to get a book!

Enjoy the car!

Roy

[Hendrik Moulds]

You are right Roy, the Elfrink book is very useful as are the workshop manuals although the latter does assume you have some knowledge of the cars.
The 356 registry did a troubleshooting guide as well as books on their magazine articles which has been occasionally useful too.

[Mike Smith]

This is My List

The `Right` Books for someone attempting 356 Home-work & Restoration
(In Order of Importance)

A Drivers Handbook
Porsche Technical Manual by Henry Elfrink
A set of Electrical Manuals by Jo Leoni
A set of Factory Parts Books – (If you are Restoring)
A set of Workshop Manuals – (As Hendrik says – Porsche assume that you are trained)
Neil`s Book – (If you are restoring an `A`)
A Restorers Guide by Brett Johnson – (If you are Restoring)
A Factory Specs Book (If you are attempting Engines) - (Note - there are some mistakes)
The ABC`s by Harry Pellow (If you are attempting Engines) – (Buy the last generation he wrote)
Secrets of the Inner Circle by Harry Pellow (If you are attempting Engines)
The Maestros Little Specs Book by Harry Pellow - (If you are attempting Engines)
Porsche Factory Manual (If attempting Gearboxes) – (Note - there are a couple of mistakes)

Footnote - Be aware that Harry Pellow was not always correct (I hate his advice on Distributor Type and Carbs)
The world has also moved on and many engine `Parts Options` are far superior to the Auld Days
However, Harry did a great service to the 356 world with his anal attention to detail

[vwgillybilly]

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=62898