Page 1 of 9

Finally found one... My 57 356 A

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:07 pm
by vwgillybilly
Well after several months of some cash burning a hole in my pocket I finally managed to get myself an elusive A.

I bought the car from a guy in Toronto in Canada who has slowly recomissioned the car with a thorough mechanical overhaul. The car is a 57 T 1 1/2 with T1 dash & T2 body. I believe the panels & gearbox are matching numbers but the engine is a 58 Super which has been fully rebuilt by a Porsche specialist in Toronto. The king & link pins have been done, as have the brakes which also have braided hoses. The wheels are all date matched 5/57 & have brand new Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres.

I have the COA & it was originally silver with red interior & my aim is to return it to as it should be. The bodywork is good from 15 feet. There is filler & the door gaps need work. It's amateur at best & the guy who did it a few years ago clearly didn't have the COA unless he specifically wanted it red with brown interior.

The bumpers are glass fibre & the beauty rings & nipple hub caps are wrong for the car but hey ho!

It's a car I can tinker with & enjoy, I don't aim to please purists & will probably try a more outlaw look with some decals for a start.

Here are some pics from collecting it from Liverpool docks today. Customs are cleared & hopefully I'll register it in the next week or two.

Cheers.

Gill

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Re: Finally found one... My 57 356 A

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:09 pm
by vwgillybilly
Couldn't resist!!

Image

Re: Finally found one... My 57 356 A

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:17 pm
by bazz55
Looks Awesome!!! Bet you can't stop popping into the garage to take a peak 8)

Re: Finally found one... My 57 356 A

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:19 pm
by Bootsy
Congratulations. I'm very jealous! - in a good way of course

Re: Finally found one... My 57 356 A

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:23 pm
by sladey
Me too


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Re: Finally found one... My 57 356 A

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:26 pm
by Mike Smith
Nice to see lots of honesty and the term 1 & 1/2 used

Re: Finally found one... My 57 356 A

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:31 pm
by vwgillybilly
Mike Smith wrote:Nice to see lots of honesty and the term 1 & a 1/2 used
Thanks guys & thanks Mike.

In truth it was nearly that rather nice 64 SC you sold a few months ago sat in my garage but the day I rang to arrange a viewing you had taken a deposit. It was your colleague I spoke to - nice guy. By the way the Porsche towel I got from you is great!

Feel free to highlight any anomalies with the car. To me the rear bumper seems high, the over riders & towel rails are missing, the reflectors are there to hide holes from a B bumper being fitted & the shine up light is a repro.

I want to correct these faults first!

Regards.

Gill

Re: Finally found one... My 57 356 A

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:26 pm
by 964RS
Looks superb. Can't beat old red Porsches!

Re: Finally found one... My 57 356 A

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:54 pm
by Phil Parry
What a fabulous day, picking up your gorgeous A from the docks...!!

Re: Finally found one... My 57 356 A

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 11:32 pm
by Ian Gunney
Goes well with the tractor - looks a fun project

Re: Finally found one... My 57 356 A

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 7:07 am
by jeremyg
Great news, and congratulations Gill on making the commitment. Another little 356 rolls into the UK. Have a great journey, and keep us posted.
All the best
Jeremyg

Re: Finally found one... My 57 356 A

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 10:55 am
by Mr Pharmacist
Love it! 8)

Well jel as the kids say these days. Apparently

Re: Finally found one... My 57 356 A

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 11:32 am
by roy mawbey
I reckon you will have fun with your 'A' You have the right approach, drive and enjoy and attend to the small things first. It looks great, and well done, can't be easy buying from a distance you have to be brave!

As Mike says, thanks for the honest report, that is unusual but appreciated.

Cheers :cheers:

Roy

Re: Finally found one... My 57 356 A

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 4:29 pm
by yastefris
Congrats for this A ;)

Re: Finally found one... My 57 356 A

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 10:58 pm
by sjm
Very nice - enjoy!

PR Services have done all the work on my A, and I'll always wave a flag for the guys at Karmann Konnections too (who I bought the car from).