DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Just looking at this 356 on bringatrailer.com and wondered what the pipe off the fan shroud was all about? 4th smaller picture down.

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-p ... c-coupe-2/

Does anyone know if that is that some sort of after-market air duct? Usually anything that appears non-standard is done to death in the commentary. Just out of curiosity - I'm not in the market.

Phil

It says in the description "The heating system was changed to European specifications, including replacement heat exchangers", the unusual pipe you noticed is part of that system.

If you look at the pictures showing the underside of the engine you will see that the heat exchangers and silencer are slightly different from usual.

As I understand it the so called 'European Heater System' was intended for countries with very cold climates.... like Scandinavia.

Cheers - thanks for confirming.

Phil

The German authorities decided that the old system could asphyxiate you
This was the system that wouldn`t

It was available to anyone that ordered it but it was the Germans and Swedes who usually have it fitted

Mine is retrofitted and produces VAST amounts of heat but you do want to have to buy ALL the pieces OR to count the amount of hours to fit it - Think around £4,000-00 +

Well Mike that really surprised me! Often wondered about that system never calculated in my head the costs involved! Another thing on 356 I did not know.

Roy

Thanks Mike. Interesting to read re the exhaust fumes.

These are the sorts of comments on bringatrailer that make my day:

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-p ... c-coupe-2/

"Hunt around for the original Solex carburetors, they’re worth having rebuilt and the car will run a lot better. Getting the carbs and distributor synched so the car idles properly can be difficult, especially with non original parts. I notice this one has an aluminum distributor installed so while one is hunting for the carbs try and locate the original cast iron distributor with the proper advance curve and get it rebuilt correctly, you’ll be glad you did. An after market fuel filter suggests that the fuel tank needs a cleaning and coating, and a new petcock while the tank is out of the car."

I'm sure the Solexes are in a box in the garage. Under the iron distributor. To be fair the commentator does say its a really nice car. Just makes me smile.

Phil

I should have said that "but you do NOT want to have to buy all the parts"

Out of interest I threw some numbers at the cost to retro fit
A lot of the parts are no longer available - some can still be found easily others are more difficult but this is not far out

2 x Heat Exchanges - $8,000 / Pair + Carriage and Duties
1 x Back Box - $540 + Carriage an Import Duties
There are 3 x variations on the control valves - good used ones sell for about £300 / pair
The Carb De-icer valves are a difficult item but say £200 / pair
The Fan Housing + Nozzle + Back Closing Panel + 3 x Hoses, Gaskets, Clamps, Brackets & Control Cables - Say £500
Labour - Its an engine out job, change the Fan Housing - lots of fiddly stuff - Say 16 Hours at £65 = £1,000

I was a bit out with my initial guess - Think more like £9,000-00 (oops! nearly forgot the VAT)

Look after the system - if you have it

Correction

I see that we can actually buy the Heat Exchangers from Germany for approx. £3,800 /pair
However I also note that I missed a lot of the tinware stuff & special bolts etc in my thinking - so add £500

It could probably be achieved for as little as £6,000
We do also have a couple of good used Heat Exchangers in stock

Please - Do keep the Faith