DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

I have been meaning to start a build thread for this car for the last 6 months but as usual building the car and other customers cars gets in the way. The car is actually painted now and this thread will be a bit picture heavy but as a picture speaks a thousand words I will let the photos do most of the talking. This car is having the best of everything with no expense spared with nice custom touches throughout and being built to be driven.

Just to quickly introduce myself and my company, my name is Darryn Coleman owner of DC Customs based near Dudley in the West Midlands. We specialise in the restoration of classic cars, Prestige cars, Volkswagens, Hotrods, muscle cars, and anything custom although future plans are to specialise in the restoration and customisation of Porsches having fallen in love with this 356. Feel free to comment and ask questions, I will try to come on here as often as I can.

The car is owned by my customer Steve Giles having bought it last year. It origionally came down to me for an overhaul, paint work and interior trim having been recommended by Brian Burrows which was much appreciated! but unfortunately up on close inspection the car had been badly repaired in the past with patches welded over rust, holes, the front end had serious damage to it and badly panel beaten back in to shape so what started out as a small job has turned in to a full on bare metal nut and bolt restoration.

As the car looked when it was bought








Then this is what we found when we started to strip it back

I think this photos shows just how back the rear end and under seat area was


Off to media blasting


What we found when it came back in Epoxy primer

And this is how she looks now. This was a huge task to get the car where it is today so before I load up any more photos of the finished car I will show you the full extent of the restoration.

These may not be in the correct order but you get the idea

Looks fantastic, enjoying this thread greatly already

I recognize that car. I went to look at it before buying my SC, but decided to pass, as I was after something a little more stock.

Looks great - love a resto thread

Kneeslider wrote:I recognize that car. I went to look at it before buying my SC, but decided to pass, as I was after something a little more stock.

I bet your glad you passed on it now lol

outer sills, inner sills and B posts repaired

The floor had been repaired in the past with new halves but they had welded the new floor over the top of the old one under the transmission tunnel, so this also had to get replaced.




Front bulk head replaced

Brilliant.
Spot welds or plug welds?

911hillclimber wrote:Brilliant.
Spot welds or plug welds?

Thanks 911hillclimber! these are all plug welds, all linished down to perfection.

One thing we always aim to do is to make all repairs look as factory as possible, and if that is impossible for whatever reason, we try and make it look even better.

Lovely and brave job done.
Rare on DDK to see such 356 detail. It seems so many 356's get a lot of 'you-hold-it, Ill weld it Harry' repairs to keep it going, ie the rear seat pan areas.
Excellent thread, keep the pics coming!

Outer sills, jacking points, B posts and end caps all tacked in place









Checking panel gaps