Body-colored wheels on 356A T1 Speedster?
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Body-colored wheels on 356A T1 Speedster?
In reading Steve Heinrich's Speedster book, and Brett Johnson's restoration guide, it seems like white Speedsters had white painted wheels during the pre-A era, and into the early A era. For the blue and red cars, apparently they changed over to silver wheels with the 356A transition.
I have only seen white painted wheels on pre-As. How late did this practice continue?
For those who have restored T1 Speedsters, is this just a "do whatever you want" decision?
I have only seen white painted wheels on pre-As. How late did this practice continue?
For those who have restored T1 Speedsters, is this just a "do whatever you want" decision?
Jon Warshawsky
San Diego
1956 Speedster #82191
San Diego
1956 Speedster #82191
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Re: Body-colored wheels on 356A T1 Speedster?
(Perpetual disclaimer- "in my experience")- there were far more body color wheels in 16" than 15" and thus more T-1> 356s in general had silver wheels. (Many 16" wheels had trim rings, so color was of less visibility.)
Speedsters were 'entry level' 356s and logically less time (and therefore money) would have been put into 'styling cues.' Still, you can do whatever you want if no information is available to 'prove' how any 356 left the factory.
Speedsters were 'entry level' 356s and logically less time (and therefore money) would have been put into 'styling cues.' Still, you can do whatever you want if no information is available to 'prove' how any 356 left the factory.
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Re: Body-colored wheels on 356A T1 Speedster?
Thanks for the quick reply. Will probably go with silver or chromed... there's no information on the COA other than chassis and engine numbers.Bruce Baker wrote:(Perpetual disclaimer- "in my experience")- there were far more body color wheels in 16" than 15" and thus more T-1> 356s in general had silver wheels. (Many 16" wheels had trim rings, so color was of less visibility.)
Speedsters were 'entry level' 356s and logically less time (and therefore money) would have been put into 'styling cues.' Still, you can do whatever you want if no information is available to 'prove' how any 356 left the factory.
Jon Warshawsky
San Diego
1956 Speedster #82191
San Diego
1956 Speedster #82191
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Re: Body-colored wheels on 356A T1 Speedster?
Hi Jon,
If you want to follow the COA and it doesn't show the chrome wheel option then probably the car had silver painted wheels, but no one can know for sure: your choice! Silver looks good!
Best regards,
Barry
If you want to follow the COA and it doesn't show the chrome wheel option then probably the car had silver painted wheels, but no one can know for sure: your choice! Silver looks good!
Best regards,
Barry
- Bob DiCorpo
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Re: Body-colored wheels on 356A T1 Speedster?
Hi John,
My Speedster is a Reutter White 1956 T-1. It is the original color as certified by the CoA. My wheels are Kronprinz and date stamped 7-56, which should be correct, as the car was built in August of '56. When the car went through it's restoration, the wheels were taken down to the metal. There was no sign of silver paint anywhere, only Reutter White.
I certainly can't be 100% sure of their original color, since the car has only been in my family since 1963, but all indications are that white was their original color. Regards, Bob
My Speedster is a Reutter White 1956 T-1. It is the original color as certified by the CoA. My wheels are Kronprinz and date stamped 7-56, which should be correct, as the car was built in August of '56. When the car went through it's restoration, the wheels were taken down to the metal. There was no sign of silver paint anywhere, only Reutter White.
I certainly can't be 100% sure of their original color, since the car has only been in my family since 1963, but all indications are that white was their original color. Regards, Bob
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Bob DiCorpo
'56 Speedster
Massachusetts
'56 Speedster
Massachusetts
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Re: Body-colored wheels on 356A T1 Speedster?
My first race car, #82616, was white, and came with white wheels.
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Re: Body-colored wheels on 356A T1 Speedster?
Bob, Vic, thank you -- both cars you mention are later than mine (#82191).
I have a few months before I have to decide. Bob, did you go back to white for the wheels or change to silver?
Barry, I was leaning toward silver or chrome. But it is a beehive car, and a Reutter 603 paint code like Bob's, so white might be authentic and kind of vintage racer-ish. I admit I like it on the pre-A's, though those have less wheel showing.
I'm awaiting some old photos of the car, which the original owner says he has. Maybe those will tell the story. Will post here if I learn anything worthwhile...
I have a few months before I have to decide. Bob, did you go back to white for the wheels or change to silver?
Barry, I was leaning toward silver or chrome. But it is a beehive car, and a Reutter 603 paint code like Bob's, so white might be authentic and kind of vintage racer-ish. I admit I like it on the pre-A's, though those have less wheel showing.
I'm awaiting some old photos of the car, which the original owner says he has. Maybe those will tell the story. Will post here if I learn anything worthwhile...
Jon Warshawsky
San Diego
1956 Speedster #82191
San Diego
1956 Speedster #82191
- Charlie White
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Re: Body-colored wheels on 356A T1 Speedster?
Here's a picture of a white beehive Speedster with white wheels that I picked up somewhere.
CW
CW
Charlie White
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Re: Body-colored wheels on 356A T1 Speedster?
82390 4/56 Sudrads bodycolor, spare wheel sudrad 4/56 silver ? car belived to be all original (unmolested).
53cabrio+56speedster
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Re: Body-colored wheels on 356A T1 Speedster?
Dear Friends,
I've just finished to restore a 1956 cabriolet (October 1956).
Car was completely to restore but had one original rim (dated 3/56).
Car born sahara beigecolour but was repainted red and I found under the red paint
the original sahara beige.
I decided to remake all 5 rims sahara beige even if it was not reported on Coa nor Kardex.
Thanks for attention
Massimiliano Del Monte
61406 cab
I've just finished to restore a 1956 cabriolet (October 1956).
Car was completely to restore but had one original rim (dated 3/56).
Car born sahara beigecolour but was repainted red and I found under the red paint
the original sahara beige.
I decided to remake all 5 rims sahara beige even if it was not reported on Coa nor Kardex.
Thanks for attention
Massimiliano Del Monte
61406 cab
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- 356 Fan
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Re: Body-colored wheels on 356A T1 Speedster?
Massimiliano,Massimiliano Del Monte wrote:Dear Friends,
I've just finished to restore a 1956 cabriolet (October 1956).
Car was completely to restore but had one original rim (dated 3/56).
Car born sahara beigecolour but was repainted red and I found under the red paint
the original sahara beige.
I decided to remake all 5 rims sahara beige even if it was not reported on Coa nor Kardex.
Thanks for attention
Massimiliano Del Monte
61406 cab
That looks very nice. The more photos I see of light colored cars with body-colored wheels, the more I think I might want to go that route.
Jon Warshawsky
San Diego
1956 Speedster #82191
San Diego
1956 Speedster #82191
- Steve Var
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Re: Body-colored wheels on 356A T1 Speedster?
One of the members, Jim B.'s very original '55 Speedsters. I say, 'Patina Galore'. Much more rarer than any restored car. These pics are from before Jim's purchase. I know he has kept the car as is.
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Steve Var.
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58 VW Pickup
61 356B
67S
66 912
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58 VW Pickup
61 356B
67S
66 912
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Re: Body-colored wheels on 356A T1 Speedster?
Very cool car, although it would be a pre-A, so not really a T1. I think all white pre-A 356s had color coded white wheels.Steve Var wrote:One of the members, Jim B.'s very original '55 Speedsters. I say, 'Patina Galore'. Much more rarer than any restored car. These pics are from before Jim's purchase. I know he has kept the car as is.
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Jon Warshawsky
San Diego
1956 Speedster #82191
San Diego
1956 Speedster #82191