Body-colored wheels on 356A T1 Speedster?

[Jon Warshawsky]

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?

[Bruce Baker]

(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]

(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.

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.

[Barry Brisco]

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

[Bob DiCorpo]

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

[Vic Skirmants]

My first race car, #82616, was white, and came with white wheels.

[Jon Warshawsky]

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...

[Charlie White]

Here's a picture of a white beehive Speedster with white wheels that I picked up somewhere.

CW

[Omar Almada]

82390 4/56 Sudrads bodycolor, spare wheel sudrad 4/56 silver ? car belived to be all original (unmolested).

[Massimiliano Del Monte]

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

[Jon Warshawsky]

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

Massimiliano,

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.

[Steve Var]

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.


.

[Jon Warshawsky]

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.


.

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.