50 years driving my 356A (part 1 )
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2019 1:17 pm
In answer to a request I thought I would put in writing with photos an account of my time with the 1959 Porsche 356A Super I purchased now 50 years ago. You can define that in a simple paragraph or two with half a dozen photo's, but that does not paint a picture. I also have never wanted to bore the pants off people so have decided to make this ' part one ' the text and later ' part two ' a few photos.
Over the years on forums I have explained sometimes how and why I purchased my RHD Meissen blue and red 356. Enough to say I lived near Isleworth and Frazer Nash Cars (AFN ) and my school in the 1950's was 10 minutes or so walk from their show room. So I saw 356 cars from the mid 50's till I left in 1958. My brother worked there as well as two other friends. My 59 car was ordered by AFN on the factory and delivered to Jack Bartlett in London a guy who also sold sports cars. He sold it to Elizabeth Pugh who was the daughter of a Baronet and she was only in her early 20's. In turn she sold the car a short while later to Denis Hopkinson who sent me pictures of the car from 1961. In 1964 it was sold to Tom Burke a pilot flying with British Caladonian. He kept it till I purchased it in 1969.
Tom had the car regularly serviced by AFN and the original engine failed at 110.000 miles shortly after he bought it. AFN under guarantee made a total recondition of the engine using the original crankcases ( the car is fully matching numbers ) and therefore since 1964 has never been apart since. I think in 1964 it was George Sneath who did that work. I have never apart from MOT's taken my car anywhere for work, decided from the start I would do all the work required myself. The engine apart from me changing from the early diaphragm clutch to the previous spring plate version and of course all the service work its been reliable as has the 716 gearbox. Slow cranking annoyed me for a long time till after getting everything perfect it needed an overhaul or the points cleaned on the starter solinoid. That starter was checked and now works as new. One job I could not do for sure.
In 50 years a number of things have failed like the petcock fuel tap, the brake system needing new pipes and hydraulic hoses, New shocks, exhaust systems and the front seat vinyl area you sit on replaced with new. Actually, there are many items all listed in my two service books which record every job I have done. The Zeniths kits , the fuel pump kit, the new coil, the list goes on and on.
But overall its been reliable even more so since over 40 years ago I spent a year or more welding, leading and spraying the exterior. The interior is original except for the rubber mats that were never perfect for the RHD version. I bought new ones from International Mercantile in the States and had them delivered uncut for pedals. I have re-sprayed the car again 30 years ago and that last time I hired the required spray gear, large receiver etc. It was finished in cellulose not 2 pack.
Now this just gives an idea on what was going on since I bought it. I think I will stop here and make part one continue further till the photo section.
PLEASE tell me if I am really going on too much it will not offend me, you can't put down 50 years of ownership in 30 minutes.
Roy
Over the years on forums I have explained sometimes how and why I purchased my RHD Meissen blue and red 356. Enough to say I lived near Isleworth and Frazer Nash Cars (AFN ) and my school in the 1950's was 10 minutes or so walk from their show room. So I saw 356 cars from the mid 50's till I left in 1958. My brother worked there as well as two other friends. My 59 car was ordered by AFN on the factory and delivered to Jack Bartlett in London a guy who also sold sports cars. He sold it to Elizabeth Pugh who was the daughter of a Baronet and she was only in her early 20's. In turn she sold the car a short while later to Denis Hopkinson who sent me pictures of the car from 1961. In 1964 it was sold to Tom Burke a pilot flying with British Caladonian. He kept it till I purchased it in 1969.
Tom had the car regularly serviced by AFN and the original engine failed at 110.000 miles shortly after he bought it. AFN under guarantee made a total recondition of the engine using the original crankcases ( the car is fully matching numbers ) and therefore since 1964 has never been apart since. I think in 1964 it was George Sneath who did that work. I have never apart from MOT's taken my car anywhere for work, decided from the start I would do all the work required myself. The engine apart from me changing from the early diaphragm clutch to the previous spring plate version and of course all the service work its been reliable as has the 716 gearbox. Slow cranking annoyed me for a long time till after getting everything perfect it needed an overhaul or the points cleaned on the starter solinoid. That starter was checked and now works as new. One job I could not do for sure.
In 50 years a number of things have failed like the petcock fuel tap, the brake system needing new pipes and hydraulic hoses, New shocks, exhaust systems and the front seat vinyl area you sit on replaced with new. Actually, there are many items all listed in my two service books which record every job I have done. The Zeniths kits , the fuel pump kit, the new coil, the list goes on and on.
But overall its been reliable even more so since over 40 years ago I spent a year or more welding, leading and spraying the exterior. The interior is original except for the rubber mats that were never perfect for the RHD version. I bought new ones from International Mercantile in the States and had them delivered uncut for pedals. I have re-sprayed the car again 30 years ago and that last time I hired the required spray gear, large receiver etc. It was finished in cellulose not 2 pack.
Now this just gives an idea on what was going on since I bought it. I think I will stop here and make part one continue further till the photo section.
PLEASE tell me if I am really going on too much it will not offend me, you can't put down 50 years of ownership in 30 minutes.
Roy