356 Speedster Flat6 outlaw build

Replica owners or enthusiasts are very welcome

Moderator: Bootsy

Post Reply
greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 925
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356 Speedster Flat6 outlaw build

Post by greg356a »

Really helpful tips, looks like tonights reading
Thanks
This is why I love this forum
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
1988 924 Le Mans
greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 925
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356 Speedster Flat6 outlaw build

Post by greg356a »

The passenger window winds up and down, a little stiff but nothing that's a problem, some grease lubricant should resolve the issue. Really is a jigsaw to get the window channel, winder mechanism, door lock, outer door handle, inner door release, glass, wing mirror bolts and inner pull handle into a small space. Would like to have got the glass closer to the edges of the doors but everything is in the way. The channel is right against the inner door lock. There is a difference in both the two doors, drivers door allows more space but I will keep them the same.

Made a template for the door glass. The rear quarter plexi glass design does not really allow for any creativity. I was hoping for a sweeping rear quarter curve but the angles are all wrong.

ImageIMG_2558

The plan is to make a steel quarter panel which holds the plexi glass in place and has a tapered up-stand for a gasket to seal the door glass to. It would be great to but louvres into the rear quarter rather than glass. Not sure of anyone who could press the in louvres. It would be a pain for visibility but really cool

ImageIMG_2561

You can see a pencil line from the back of the rear qurter to the door glass, I would need to cut the hardtop and reposition to get a glass to line through, maybe an improvement job for the future. The tops of the ali window tracks need cutting and folding over to create a small holding lip, or may weld a small flat plate to the three sides to hold into place.

Now I know how to one side the drivers door should be much quicker
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
1988 924 Le Mans
mdmax72
Put a fork in me, I'm done!
Posts: 1512
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:23 pm
Location: midlands u.k

Re: 356 Speedster Flat6 outlaw build

Post by mdmax72 »

Hi Greg

Bearing in mind that your hard top was designed for drop in Windows that sit on the door capping and now your trying to line up the rear quarter with wind up window is going to be challenging. Think your right, only way to get it to look right is is abit of surgery to the roof.


Got a few contacts is required to have Louvre’s done.
Rich

DDK Member 0547

Evolving Speedster Build ;-)
greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 925
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356 Speedster Flat6 outlaw build

Post by greg356a »

Hi Rich,

What are the restrictions on pressing louvres? I was thinking of using 2mm thick polished stainless steel, rather than just a body colour painted frame. just wanted to do something different.
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
1988 924 Le Mans
mdmax72
Put a fork in me, I'm done!
Posts: 1512
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:23 pm
Location: midlands u.k

Re: 356 Speedster Flat6 outlaw build

Post by mdmax72 »

Hi Greg

not sure on the limitations. Stainless might be on the tough side to press them in but l couldn’t say for sure? What sizes was you thinking of?

If the stainless is to hard, do it in aluminium and polish the louvres and paint the rest

Image
Rich

DDK Member 0547

Evolving Speedster Build ;-)
greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 925
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356 Speedster Flat6 outlaw build

Post by greg356a »

The trials continue
On the bright side the two door guts are complete. I need to order some side glass and then adjust tracks etc to get a good seal at the hardtop. Everything is in place and functioning as it should.

The not so great news we spent most of the day trying to get the engine running. lots of small issues, trapped fuel line at the front near the tank. The carbs were not sealing correctly, I managed to leave a small washer under the gasket, ages setting the 123 distributor, flat battery etc etc. I suspect my friend may get it running tonight but I ran out of time. Roll on tomorrow!
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
1988 924 Le Mans
mdmax72
Put a fork in me, I'm done!
Posts: 1512
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:23 pm
Location: midlands u.k

Re: 356 Speedster Flat6 outlaw build

Post by mdmax72 »

Hi Greg,
nice to bump into you at Stanford even though it was brief. Once you get these few niggles sorted, they’ll be no stopping you. What’s the turn around time for the glass?
Rich

DDK Member 0547

Evolving Speedster Build ;-)
greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 925
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356 Speedster Flat6 outlaw build

Post by greg356a »

Hi Rich, really good to catch up at Stanford. Brief chat as I did not want to get in the way of the crowd admiring your car :) Get any offers?

Still on the track of glass, now talking to Caldwells in Wigan apparently a couple of weeks turnaround.

cheers
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
1988 924 Le Mans
Robneal
Married to the DDK
Posts: 219
Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2016 10:26 pm

Re: 356 Speedster Flat6 outlaw build

Post by Robneal »

Try SGI glass as well, tjey did a great job of the windows for my Coupe with all the correct markings

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 925
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356 Speedster Flat6 outlaw build

Post by greg356a »

Very happy chappy, engine is running and no great clouds of smoke

first start up earlier today, click and play

ImageIMG_2587

Completed the timing and tidied up the wiring so a few more checks on the gas analyser and the open road awaits! Much thanks to my mate Neil for his skill and support.

SGI put me in touch with their supplier Caldwell Windows so new R45 approved glass here next week, if all goes to plan.
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
1988 924 Le Mans
mdmax72
Put a fork in me, I'm done!
Posts: 1512
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:23 pm
Location: midlands u.k

Re: 356 Speedster Flat6 outlaw build

Post by mdmax72 »

Hi Greg,

Yes got a guy that’s very keen to buy, I’m half tempted if honest, as i’m running out of things to do with the car now ;-). We’ll see.

It’s good that you got it all hooked up and running. Just get behind the wheel and have some fun with it and get some miles on it ready for your road trip.
Rich

DDK Member 0547

Evolving Speedster Build ;-)
greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 925
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356 Speedster Flat6 outlaw build

Post by greg356a »

Rich - really interesting dilemma. I guess its down to a gut feel, would the cash allow you to do something else, maybe another speedster / Coupe?

Looking at Wednesday to do some final pre-road checks and check the engine on the gas analyser. Then drive the car 10 miles home. whilst I have lots of things to finish concentrating on the hardtop to make it a little water proof.
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
1988 924 Le Mans
greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 925
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356 Speedster Flat6 outlaw build

Post by greg356a »

Quick couple of hours task today. Make the rear quarter windows for the hardtop. I though it might work to bend these in plexiglass.

ImageIMG_2591

ImageIMG_2595

ImageIMG_2597

ImageIMG_2599

ImageIMG_2600

Trial fix next
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
1988 924 Le Mans
greg356a
I luv DDK!
Posts: 925
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:16 am
Location: Norwich area
Contact:

Re: 356 Speedster Flat6 outlaw build

Post by greg356a »

FIRST DRIVE
Just over 7 years and countless hours of building and finally my first drive on the road took place this afternoon. Fantastic experience. Spent the whole day checking and re-checking every wire, cable, pipe, nut, bolt as if it was IVA all over. Found a couple of loose nuts, wires that could vibrate etc.

The drive was around 10 miles along very winding twisty bumpy roads, so perfect. The throttle response seemed instant, brakes meaningful, no body roll, engine note sublime. There are a lot of body rattles, mostly as the hardtop is not bonded to the windscreen bow yet.

Cant wait for the next outing :cheers:
1963 Karmann Ghia
1959 356A Coupe Outlaw
1957 3.2 Speedster replica
1988 924 Le Mans
Gary71
Nurse, I think I need some assistance
Posts: 10726
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2004 1:27 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: 356 Speedster Flat6 outlaw build

Post by Gary71 »

Brilliant. Payback for all the hard work.
Post Reply