My new project ...
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 11:52 am
Following the sale of my 904 back in November, I started to think about a new project.
With the way early 911 prices had gone I wasn't considering going down that route again &, besides, there were already several fantastic 'sports purposes' cars being built by other DDKers, so it had to be something else...
I had found myself looking at 356's (especially tastefully-done outlaws) more & more in recent months but unfortunately, I'd 'missed the boat' as far as 356A models were concerned & most outlaws/hotrods based on the later B/C models just didn't have the same appeal.
In mid December I happened to be over in Essex – not far from Southend – so decided to call in to Karmann Konnection's new (pub) premises to see if they had any interesting cars there.
I looked at a couple of 356's & a swb 911 but nothing interested me so was about to leave when Paul mentioned another car which was currently in bare metal 'next door' being prepared prior to paint …
'Next door' was actually a workshop (part of the pub) – sub-let to none other than 'Lionel' – ex head body man at Sportwagen & master metalworker.
The bare metal car in question was a '65 356C – remarkably free from rust or accident damage which Lionel was in the process of tidying up (bottom of the outer door skins had been replaced).
KK's plan was to refurbish the car to original std spec with new paint, interior trim as necessary & mechanical overhaul before putting it up for sale.
I wasn't looking for a std car but this looked such a good starting point & having Lionel 'on hand' to undertake any potential metalwork seemed too good an opportunity to miss.
So, gradually, a picture formed in my mind – a 'period' lightweight competition-inspired car along the lines of the (very rare) Factory 356 SC GT's, of which only 6 were built.
A protracted discussion with Paul took place to finalise my intended spec & a fixed price was agreed (after a phone call to Ritchie).
My spec will feature the 'GT' look with:
Light Ivory bodywork (original colour)
No bumper F&R overriders
GT bumper trim
Deleted side/sill trims
Steel Speedster seats
Rear roll cage
Black vinyl/grey square-weave carpets
Perspex door windows with leather lifting straps
Perspex rear qtr windows & rear screen
Sebring exhaust
In addition I plan to add:
Louvred twin-grille engine lid
Steel/alloy wheels (which I didn't sell with my 904)
Avon CR6ZZ tyres
Old-style 3-point race harnesses (re-webbed in black)
Period wood steering wheel
& possibly:
Yellow headlight lenses (or Marchal Equilux headlamps with yellow bulbs)
Headlamp grilles
Leather bonnet straps
&, of course, some suitable decals, race stickers, etc
With the way early 911 prices had gone I wasn't considering going down that route again &, besides, there were already several fantastic 'sports purposes' cars being built by other DDKers, so it had to be something else...
I had found myself looking at 356's (especially tastefully-done outlaws) more & more in recent months but unfortunately, I'd 'missed the boat' as far as 356A models were concerned & most outlaws/hotrods based on the later B/C models just didn't have the same appeal.
In mid December I happened to be over in Essex – not far from Southend – so decided to call in to Karmann Konnection's new (pub) premises to see if they had any interesting cars there.
I looked at a couple of 356's & a swb 911 but nothing interested me so was about to leave when Paul mentioned another car which was currently in bare metal 'next door' being prepared prior to paint …
'Next door' was actually a workshop (part of the pub) – sub-let to none other than 'Lionel' – ex head body man at Sportwagen & master metalworker.
The bare metal car in question was a '65 356C – remarkably free from rust or accident damage which Lionel was in the process of tidying up (bottom of the outer door skins had been replaced).
KK's plan was to refurbish the car to original std spec with new paint, interior trim as necessary & mechanical overhaul before putting it up for sale.
I wasn't looking for a std car but this looked such a good starting point & having Lionel 'on hand' to undertake any potential metalwork seemed too good an opportunity to miss.
So, gradually, a picture formed in my mind – a 'period' lightweight competition-inspired car along the lines of the (very rare) Factory 356 SC GT's, of which only 6 were built.
A protracted discussion with Paul took place to finalise my intended spec & a fixed price was agreed (after a phone call to Ritchie).
My spec will feature the 'GT' look with:
Light Ivory bodywork (original colour)
No bumper F&R overriders
GT bumper trim
Deleted side/sill trims
Steel Speedster seats
Rear roll cage
Black vinyl/grey square-weave carpets
Perspex door windows with leather lifting straps
Perspex rear qtr windows & rear screen
Sebring exhaust
In addition I plan to add:
Louvred twin-grille engine lid
Steel/alloy wheels (which I didn't sell with my 904)
Avon CR6ZZ tyres
Old-style 3-point race harnesses (re-webbed in black)
Period wood steering wheel
& possibly:
Yellow headlight lenses (or Marchal Equilux headlamps with yellow bulbs)
Headlamp grilles
Leather bonnet straps
&, of course, some suitable decals, race stickers, etc