The official 356 drivers thread

Bullfighter, this tale is interesting albeit all factual..
I did not get any photos nor records.. as I purchased the car through a third party.

Then several years later, I called on a local DC newspaper ad for a 356A cabrio and spare parts.. (remember, this was long before the internet) the number was local to me and the car and parts turned out to be less than 10minutes away.. the gentleman on the phone explained to me that I was the 2nd caller and that the 1st was on his way, if it didn't work out he would call me back. Mind you it was just nearing 7:30am.. as we talked for a bit he disclosed who the 1st caller was and it was a friend of mine, Lewis Houser of karosserie Ltd.. and he further began to talk about an outlaw that he owned which turned out to be the car which I purchased through the third party. When I mentioned that I had the car, his attitude immediately changed and he told me that he would "consult" further with me about the car, and share pictures for a fee.

The ironic twist for me, which I didn't let on to him was that we had met several years prior while traveling along the Beltway around DC. A friend and I came upon what we thought was another 911 in the distance.. when we got on the car we realized it was 356! We motioned to the driver that we wanted to talk and he took the exit and pulled into a gas station thinking something was wrong with the car.. we were just amazed at how this thing looked and to actually see something like it on the road!

That's when I told the story of he being in the Foreign Service and the car being purchased in Italy from a retired Porsche factory worker. We said our pleasantries and parted ways. I never saw the car again until the third party contacted me asking if I would be interested in something like this. When he described the car, and told the story I knew it was the same car and was immediately interested.

No structural rust at all, but needs a bare metal re-paint. Flares or rear with shortened SWB rear bumpers, and center tag panel, hand made 911 tail light housing... remember, this is all metal and there was no mig-welding in the 50's 60's, the metal work is brass and lead. The wheels have been cut and widened. She is a true Outlaw and a bastard 356.. you either love and appreciate it cause its different, or you hate it.. not a lot of in-between with this one.

The interior, although w/tattered carpet and stained headliner and door panels is completely original w/no rips or tears on the leather seats door panels.

The plan has been to restore it as it was.. an Outlaw. I really don't need pictures to do so as I remember what it looked like when it ran, and it pretty much been left in that state and has never been stored outside since in my care.

I plan to continue the Outlaw theme with the addition of parts I've collected over the years;
Speedster seats
Roadster dash
Roll bar
C disc brakes
2.2 Type lV engine with upright 911 fan


I will attempt to post some pics, if they won't load then I will at a link at some point to a Flickr acct that I plan to set up.

Thx & sorry to be so long winded, but this car has been a fun ride so far and I'm sure it will continue to be!

 

Trials and tribulations seem to be the norm with restorations. I'm glad I had it done, but probably wouldn't do it again. Since the restoration, I've had the car over to Wayne Baker's shop in San Diego, where it was properly sorted and now has a couple of thousand miles on it. Unfortunately new restoration aren't generally turn-key ready -- even if they should be.

OTOH, I got to meet Wayne and can't say enough good things about him. He's a gift to the vintage Porsche community around here.

 

Email from Jeff Zwart:

"A lot of people mix up the Gmünd with my 53… yes, I have raced my 53, but never the G."

 

Sellers always make good on the requested price when a car is added to the collection, especially when there is compelling history to the car.

This '59 A 1600 Coupe has been in the same family since early 1960. The second owner, an engineer employed at a local Pulp & Paper mill in Tacoma, WA used this car to drive to work on nice days and while parked at work, he would use a car cover to protect the paint. The next owner, his son, drove the car sparingly and it usually sat in the garage for months at a time and used only on nice days, three weeks out of the year.

With the car came many spare parts, books, and numerous "Christmas Gifts" given to Dad to support and enhance the joy of ownership of this little car. The seller told me; "I gave this book to my Dad when I was 19. He loved this book and all the other presents we gave him over the years for this car." I might be a sucker, but, don't really care since these kinds of relationships are important to me.

This car needs some TLC on the paint, brakes and clutch. The engine seems to be in great shape with a rebuild in the early part of 1980. Interior is original for the most part and needs to be cleaned and with the described work completed, this car will be a great driver.

Local car, local history, a perfect car to add to the list of Porsches in the stable.

DJ.
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Great story - I'm not sure if guys just hung onto their cars forever back in the day, or if it's a vintage Porsche thing, but I'm only the fourth owner of my '56.

Is that ruby red? And did you install the stone shield on the bumper (or at least that's what it looks like)?

Looks like a great car. If it was mine, I'd revert to the stock exhaust with the pipes through the bumper guards - just better visually, IMHO.

 

Guys im in need of a 53 Pre A Super 1500 motor rrady to bolt in to my project. Any recomendations as to who are the best source in USA or Europe without me having to sell a kidney

 

Ross, probably really hard to find but you could contact Steve Culver at California Porsche Restoration and see what they have. www.cprclassic.com. They might want an OEM kidney for it, though.

Also John Wilhoit Willhoit Auto Restoration or Nick Clemence at European Collectibles.

I recently bought some air cleaners from Adam and Matthew Wright at www.unobtanium-inc.com. They dismantle 356s, so might have something rebuildable, but I doubt they'd have anything read to bolt on.

Good luck.

 

Thanks Jon, Ill give em all a try.

 

Try here too. Have nothing but good to say about these fellows:

https://www.facebook.com/morrisbrothersmotorsports

 

First of all congratulations for starting a 356 site. I have been researching 356s and am astounded to see how they appreciated since I sold my Convertible D for $4000.

My bailiwick is trying to find examples of old cars bought for a song that are now sitting pretty appreciation wise. Here's one Carrera Abarth.

Northern Light | Issue 188 | Excellence



Excellence magazine failed to tell how the American buyer got wind of it being in Sweden and what sort of barn find price he paid for it at the time, in 1992. This was the famed Cee-Gee Porsche owned by a radio personality,Hammarlund ,who won a lot of races in it but then had to sell it because he got promoted and in his new position they didn't want him race driving it. He sold it to another Swede, but that Swede didn't race it as much so there was an opportunity there when the car was too old to be competitive but too new for vintage racing which probably hadn't started in earnest yet.
As I read it, the story says something about Hans Thulin, the fugitive financier, whose assets were sold off, owning this car but in whatever queries I said to other Carrera experts, some say he never owned a Carrera Abarth.
(He is famous in car circles for owning one of the Bugatti Royales)

PS I could ask the restorer, but whaddya know, some car dealers are hesitant to tell what they bought cars for. I think it it was 12 years ago, it's safe to tell...

 

never driven any 356. I would like to. Years ago, I looked for a PRE-A - without ever driving any. Prices have gone up .

 

A good friend has a rusty one sitting in the woods. This is his other 356, taken in the early 90's. He was my boss when I lived in Atlanta. Both of us were single guys, so we took it to about every bar imaginable. 6 volt electric system and all. What a blast! I've always wanted one since.
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I have the 63 S90 pictured as my avatar. I also have a 63B coupe shell and a somewhat complete 65C coupe. I will start the bodywork on the S90 soon. I have been picking up parts I need over the past few years.

 

Timeless Grace - Road Scholars

Nice read!

 

Thanks Bullfighter. Great article.

A couple of pictures from this past July's Bull Session on the Olympic Peninsula:
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While this isn't mine, it is held in the same garage as my 348 and belongs to an fchatter who posts very infrequently. 356B. Fun fun car, gorgeous silver, with green interior and green top. One of the best combos IMO, but I'm biased because I see it so often.

He's had it a little over a year.
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I've never seen a combination gauge like that one. Or tach. I'm pretty sure a real 356 engine would explode over 6000 rpm.

 

Good eye. It has a 901 motor that sounds wonderful.

 

My 63B. An older pre a also lurking in the garage.
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I am pleasantly surprised to see so many pics of Roadsters, rather than speedsters. I have owned 356s for over 25 years. However I bought my Roadster a couple years ago.

I think they are the best compromise of looks and driving quality, with better brakes, steering, and especially gearchange. In the last 2 years my wife and I have driven to Portugal and toured Belgium and Germany, both trip over a 1000 miles. If I am going on a long trip I would take the Roadster over my 308 for comfort any day.

I am also interested to see in pics of one owner Roadster that had a door pocket on the passenger side as I was told only the drivers door had a pocket.

I have just had a set of Rudges restored but I am in two minds wether to fit or sell them?
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I am pretty sure this is the Canepa car, which had been heavily modified with a 911 or a cut down 911 engine fron my very poor memory. Which is why it has the different gauges.

And you are right the green interior with silver or heron grey exterior are the best combo's

 

The triple gauge was originally on the 904. It's a nice little detail for some restorations including one I'm doing right now on a 912.

 

I haven't driven a Roadster, but the '62 coupe I drove certainly beat the Speedster for comfort. (I don't think anything beats it for looks.) I was surprised at what a good car it was. My only reservation was that the seats were wallowy -- nice on the freeway, not nice when cornering.

The Rudges are worth a pretty penny now so if they're not original to the car I might sell them. Tough call though. Beautiful wheels - see them more on 300 SLs.