Which book to buy?

[356lover]

After the encouraging feedback I got on an earlier post i have decided to give the welding a go on my 356.

I have found a classic car restoration course at a local college that I am going to book myself on and would like to buy myself a restoration guide book to read up on and use as a reference tool.

There seems to be quite a few available and was wondering which is the best one to get?

[Dakota]

Hi
the American 356 registary published a couple of books which are reprints of the best of their magazines technical features , whilst not welding specific they have lots of useful info on repairing poorly 356's and they are not dear, Bill.

[john fletcher]

Have a look at this web-site http://www.mig-welding.co.uk. There is a lot of practical information here including video clips etc.
John

[roy mawbey]

Pleased you are going to give welding a try. Long term its great to know its something you have achieved. Sounds like you are on the right track with your learning plans.

I suggest when you are ready and have practised on the bench, then start with something small on the car, really take your time and I am sure you will smile when you've finished it.

If you sold that RHD car I am sure later you would have always regretted not having a go.

Keep us up to date when you make a start ( which no doubt might be some months away.)

Best of luck

Roy

[vwretrosteve]

the books with the 356 registry content are -

the 356 Porsche -A Restorers Guide To Authenticity - DR B Johnson
it is pretty usefull reference if you have bits missing .... but if you have floors missing you are better off buying

Porsche 356 Guide To Do It Yourself Restoration -by Jim Kellogg

it will help with the procedure of fitting floors etc in an easy to read and informative format. it is aimed at getting a car roadworthy rather than show worthy and is worth buying .

a third book is the 356 Porsche Technical and Restoration Guide - it is often mentioned in the kellogg publication, but i couldnt tell you whether its any good because i dont have a copy.


i would say buy the ?Kellogg book first as it covers tackling the rusty bits well.

you can buy the books from various vendors - i know Karmann Konnection stock them.

[Rustbucket]

If I remember rightly the technical restoration guide is a collection of info from the US Porsche 356 club forums and mag, its good stuff, few pics though.

The DIY guide is a must, it really is simply written book, that doesn't patronise the home enthusiast like some other books I could mention.

Also, look into a few of the Hotrod books, as they, by customising, cover the mental procedure of how and where to cut out metal, something which is harder than welding in my opinion, as well as pieces on forming and shaping metal- early fenders were very curved so early Rods bare a good reference to the 356 shell in this respect. Using hammer and dollies, slappers* etc.
It took me a weekend to replace my entire floor plan, but about a month of reading up on it



( *cubist- insert joke here)

[356lover]

Thanks for the info chaps,

I have plenty of time to read up on my daily commute to and from London

[356lover]

Ive been hunting on the internet for the Porsche 356 Guide To Do It Yourself Restoration -by Jim Kellogg and it seems to be out of stock/out of print everywhere I have looked.

Any suggestions on where I might be able to get a copy?