356A Coupe restro

Porsche 356 Virtual home

Moderators: 58A - 71E, Helen

greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 860
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356A Coupe restro

Post by greg356a »

No radio in my car, Arthur's nephew John Arnold kindly gave me the original radio blanking plate and a copy of first 40 years

Will search for pictures next.
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 860
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356A Coupe restro

Post by greg356a »

Roy,

Great picture history

These look familiar? So its 5 years after your service.
ImageIMG_5168

ImageIMG_5169

Found them in the car when I got it.
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
roy mawbey
Put a fork in me, I'm done!
Posts: 1852
Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2008 2:28 pm
Location: sunny sussex

Re: 356A Coupe restro

Post by roy mawbey »

Greg I have lot of those receipts from AFN. The previous owner from me was an Airline Captain had plenty of cash as the number of times he had work done on the clutch truly amazed me.
The early Hausermann diaphragm that replaced the spring clutch on the early T2 seemed to have problems and my car was no exception I had the engine out to reset the clutch height on a press about 3 times before it all clicked with me and really noticed the all the previous AFN engine out times the last owner had paid for! ( the clutch plate linings were not worn out )

So I contacted Barry Curtis many years ago he told me to throw away the diaphragm clutch and fit a normal previous style spring clutch. Worked perfectly ever since. My 356C never had a diaphragm cliutch problem but it was a later version.

Now I notice on your AFN receipt they changed yours to a later version !! Never knew they were doing that in 1970. They must have had many problems I guess withT2 cars??

Roy
RHD 356A coupe super 75 106954
greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 860
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356A Coupe restro

Post by greg356a »

So The floor has been replaced with new metal

ImageIMG_5165

ImageIMG_5164

Also added something for the weekend :)

ImageIMG_5161

ImageIMG_5163

The car is now ready for the painters

ImageIMG_5166
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
User avatar
Bootsy
Site admin and the Boss
Posts: 23844
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2003 6:09 pm
Location: Norwich
Contact:

Re: 356A Coupe restro

Post by Bootsy »

No messing about!
1972 911T | 1994 993 Carrera | 1999 986 Boxster | 1990 T25 Camper

Vintage Heuer, Omega, Zenith and other vintage watches - http://www.heuerheritage.co.uk
greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 860
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356A Coupe restro

Post by greg356a »

Yesterday in the bitter cold the Coupe went to the paint and body company. Most of the focus will be on making the doors gaps correct and one or two other detailed areas. Will add pictures to show progress.
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 860
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356A Coupe restro

Post by greg356a »

Progress has been slow to date. Uncovered a few blemishes and old repairs which need sorting correctly, so new door skins, new sills, new front rear 1/4 panels. The plan is to fit the new door skins hang with door seals, and match the surrounding panels to get the best gap shut lines,

ImageIMG_5787

ImageIMG_5788

ImageIMG_5789

ImageIMG_5707

Generally the body is in great condition

Also looking to get the 5.5 hearts refurbished. I don't have the desire to go fully polished as I will never keep them that way. So maybe a RSR finish on the petals and lips.

Anyone got any experience of a good looking satin silver finish which has minimal maintenance?

I got 4 of these to use whilst the car is in paint, then I can use them on the Ghia to move that around. Very light weight just a bit skinny for the road

ImageIMG_5805
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
User avatar
Bootsy
Site admin and the Boss
Posts: 23844
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2003 6:09 pm
Location: Norwich
Contact:

Re: 356A Coupe restro

Post by Bootsy »

You say slow and forget to mention you have two other rather large projects running at the same time!

I'd say the opposite in terms of pace!
1972 911T | 1994 993 Carrera | 1999 986 Boxster | 1990 T25 Camper

Vintage Heuer, Omega, Zenith and other vintage watches - http://www.heuerheritage.co.uk
greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 860
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356A Coupe restro

Post by greg356a »

So as expected a simple refresh turns into some reasonably extensive bodywork. Most of the work is just cosmetic body work to ensure door gaps are perfect. Car is off to media blasting on the 7th September. Going to remove all the original tar based coating from the engine and bonnet area so that any surface rust is removed and treated.

ImageIMG_5788

ImageIMG_5787

ImageIMG_5758

ImageIMG_5886

ImageIMG_5885

ImageIMG_5884

ImageIMG_5880

ImageIMG_5876
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
sladey
Nurse, I think I need some assistance
Posts: 8631
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 9:08 pm
Location: Nottingham, UK

Re: 356A Coupe restro

Post by sladey »

Such a cool shape
The simple things you see are all complicated
I look pretty young but I'm just backdated yeah
roy mawbey
Put a fork in me, I'm done!
Posts: 1852
Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2008 2:28 pm
Location: sunny sussex

Re: 356A Coupe restro

Post by roy mawbey »

Looking very nice indeed.

Roy
RHD 356A coupe super 75 106954
greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 860
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356A Coupe restro

Post by greg356a »

The reveal continues. I removed the engine and ancillaries that were in the way. It is a really nice Type 1 1776 around 90bhp. Very reliable and always starts first time. I still have the original 1600S engine. I removed most of the black bitumen insulation, what a task that was.

For a 1959 UK car remarkably rust free. Seems to have picked up a few scars over time. I believe the car has now been coated in epoxy paint.

Worst parts first;

Panel purchased for this
ImageIMG_6033

Cant find a panel;
ImageIMG_6034

Panels purchased;
ImageIMG_6035

No panel available;
ImageIMG_6036 r

The rest is good to go;
ImageIMG_6049

ImageIMG_6048

ImageIMG_6051

ImageIMG_6064 r

ImageIMG_6074 r
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
roy mawbey
Put a fork in me, I'm done!
Posts: 1852
Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2008 2:28 pm
Location: sunny sussex

Re: 356A Coupe restro

Post by roy mawbey »

Gregg,

You are progressing very well with this restoration. Its a long hard job as I remember certain stages doing mine 45 odd years ago. If when you finish it will drive it without thought on very wet roads? I know it crazy but after all the work, I just can't, so for the past 45 years or so since I did mine its never got wet!

I saw a You Tube video which might interest you if you have not seen it before:

Go on Youtube.com in the search box put: Porsche 356 restoration. Click open then look for ' Barnfind Porsche 356 Project' with Dominic Chinea. He assembles a Cellette inspection jig get the 356A on it and strips it down. Video lasts 28 minutes and I never saw him take one photo to remind him maybe 5 years later of how it all came apart! Its only a car strip down on the video.
It will give you heart on how far forward you are on this restoration of yours.

Roy
RHD 356A coupe super 75 106954
User avatar
hashman
DDK forever
Posts: 550
Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2003 12:46 am
Location: Midlands

Re: 356A Coupe restro

Post by hashman »

Greg your car is looking great.
Its interesting that in the video Roy has posted, the chap Dominic takes out a hill climb roll bar not the same but a similar size tubing to the one you have recently installed.
Were you going for an old school hill climb look?
Its great seeing your cars coming along.

Karl
Keep the Outlaw Faith
greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 860
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356A Coupe restro

Post by greg356a »

Hey Karl, sort of old skool outlaw race look, but looking mostly stock. Will avoid through bonnet filler, bonnet straps etc. So lowered with a roll bar :)


Resplendent in epoxy prime;

ImageIMG_6101

ImageIMG_6100

Rebuild now starts
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
Post Reply