4 "odd" holes on my T1 tail panel? Why?

For those who obsess about exactly how their 356 left the factory!
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Max Cooper
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4 "odd" holes on my T1 tail panel? Why?

#1 Post by Max Cooper »

I've wondered why the four holes directly below the 1600 Super script are in a trapezoidal shape. Is this original?

This is a 6 digit T-1 car. 100471

Thanks, Max.
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Gerry McCarthy
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Re: 4 "odd" holes on my T1 tail panel? Why?

#2 Post by Gerry McCarthy »

MAX:
THE FACTORY DRILLED NO HOLES IN THAT AREA, BECAUSE DIFERENT COUNTRIES USE DIFFERENT LICENCE PLATE CONFIGURATIONS / MOUNTINGS. THOSE HOLES, PROBABLY ON 2 SEPERATE OCCATIONS, WERE DRILLED BY THE SELLING DEALER, THEN A PREVIOUS OWNER.
MORE INTERESTING IS THE T-2 EXHAUST PIPE CUT-OUTS, STARTING AT 101693 (BEGINNING OF T-2)
KTF
Gerry Mc

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Max Cooper
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Re: 4 "odd" holes on my T1 tail panel? Why?

#3 Post by Max Cooper »

Gerry-
Could be. I haven't seen a factory license plate bracket that I thought would fit. Although, I am lazily looking for an original aluminum license plate bracket! I believe some one hacked the cut-outs for exhaust tail-pipes. I thought the same thing as you, until I noticed the T-2 cars have the top of the cut-out stopping at the crease on the tail panel.
Regards, Max Cooper. 1-404-457-0465

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Vic Skirmants
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Re: 4 "odd" holes on my T1 tail panel? Why?

#4 Post by Vic Skirmants »

And there doesn't appear to be any flange around the cut-out.

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Max Cooper
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Re: 4 "odd" holes on my T1 tail panel? Why?

#5 Post by Max Cooper »

Vic-
Yes. I did not realize T-2's had a flange. Makes sense for strength. Learning something about 356s every time I look at the 356 Registry! I love these cars.
Regards, Max Cooper. 1-404-457-0465

Mark Tirpak
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Re: 4 "odd" holes on my T1 tail panel? Why?

#6 Post by Mark Tirpak »

vic skirmants wrote:And there doesn't appear to be any flange around the cut-out.
And you beat me to the punch on the flange comment! Thought maybe I was gonna actually contribute here....Thanx Vic

Tom Scott
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Re: 4 "odd" holes on my T1 tail panel? Why?

#7 Post by Tom Scott »

The tear drop tail lights were not installed on T1 cars, these were used on the beginning of, and were a trade mark of, T2 however your car may have been manufactured during the transition from T1 to T2 in the Spring of 1957. T1 coupes VIN were up to 100000, cabs up to 61700 and speedsters up to 83200 according to the parts manual.

The 4 odd holes were not original.

:o

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Max Cooper
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Re: 4 "odd" holes on my T1 tail panel? Why?

#8 Post by Max Cooper »

Tom Scott- Dr. Brett Johnson's book, A Restorer's Guide to Authenticity page 44, second paragraph states... "At coupe chassis 101693, cabriolet 150001, Speedster 83792 (T-2 change)". My cars date stamps are mostly 3/57, just like you said! Mid-57 is the change from T-1 to T-2, says Dr. Johnson, elsewhere in that book. I included an image of the dash, T-1. Seems like you and Gerry McCarthy are right about the holes not being original. :(
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Norm Miller
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Re: 4 "odd" holes on my T1 tail panel? Why?

#9 Post by Norm Miller »

Looks like a real solid ship.
I like the ampheremeter in the glovebox.
Give the Navigator something to do.
Plug the 4 holes and screw the license plate directly to the car.

Norm
 

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C J Murray
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Re: 4 "odd" holes on my T1 tail panel? Why?

#10 Post by C J Murray »

Tom Scott wrote:The tear drop tail lights were not installed on T1 cars, these were used on the beginning of, and were a trade mark of, T2 however your car may have been manufactured during the transition from T1 to T2 in the Spring of 1957. T1 coupes VIN were up to 100000, cabs up to 61700 and speedsters up to 83200 according to the parts manual.

The 4 odd holes were not original.

:o
Original T1 Speedster 83405.

Norm- I agree that bolting the plate directly is much cleaner and eliminates a floppy plate from damaging the body.
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Norm Miller
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Re: 4 "odd" holes on my T1 tail panel? Why?

#11 Post by Norm Miller »

One of our locals had a 57 Speedster with the full over rider bar and teardrop lights.
I think it was around 83500.
What's going on with the GT? (Cliff)
Norm
 

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