DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

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.

Roy,

Great picture history

These look familiar? So its 5 years after your service.
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Found them in the car when I got it.

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

So The floor has been replaced with new metal

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Also added something for the weekend

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The car is now ready for the painters

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No messing about!

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.

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,

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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

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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!

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.

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Such a cool shape

Looking very nice indeed.

Roy

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
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Cant find a panel;
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Panels purchased;
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No panel available;
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The rest is good to go;
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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

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

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;

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Rebuild now starts