Last use of glass rear reflectors?

[Joris Koning]

Gang,

Is there any documentation out there as to when glass SWF reflectors were last used? Did the shift to the Ulo reflectors coincide with the change to the T-5 cars? where the glass reflectors carried over the the first T-5 cars or the other way around?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

TIA,

Joris

[roy mawbey]

Joris,

My 59 T2 reflectors are plastic Ulo type. They are original so it must be earlier than mid 59?

Roy
RHD356A super75 106954

[Jim Breazeale]

My very original 59 A Coupe (Ch #106172, 1959 Year Modell) had glass reflectors.

Regards

[Joris Koning]

Roy, Jim,

Thanks for responding, very interesting, the two cars quoted are about 800 numbers apart. I have a very late 59 cab and it also has Ulo's. My thought was that they were added later but they might just be original.

Jim, I looked at your old car recently, cool car!!

J.

[Luca Bogoni]

Joris,
A friend of mine has an original coupe with chassis #106721 and has glass reflectors.

Best Regards
Luca

[Patrick Doolittle]

My very original late production 59 A coupe 107985 has glass reflectors. According to Brett 108917 is the last A coupe. Also have 59 A 106783 all original two owner car with glass reflectors.

[Brian R Adams]

My '59 coupe #107520 has glass SWF reflectors.

[Jim Stephenson]

My 59 sunroof coupe #108369 has SWF glass reflectors.

[Dennis Wellner]

My car, late 59 T2 Coupe 108229, has glass reflectors.

[roy mawbey]

Joris,

Now, it has surprised me that a fair number of people have confirmed with chassis numbers well past mine they have glass reflectors on their "A" cars. I had contact in early 69 when I bought my car with the previous owners back to 1960. The car was still in its original paint ( interior still is )when I obtained it and I have all known service and repair invoices back to the early 60's.

When I removed the reflectors for its first re-spray in the 70's I had a real devil getting these off the car without stripping the threads. Now I wonder if the first owner who only had the car during 1959 to early 1960 changed them? I can't see why, the rear of my car has not been in an accident and glass reflectors are better than plastic ones.

I have photos of my car back to 1960 but the reflectors although there, are too small to be identified.

So, I am sorry if I have led you astray Joris, not my intention. I guess I should never assume anything on these cars even though I would have bet money on the fact they were original.

Roy
RHD356A super75 106954

[Joris Koning]

Hi Roy,

No problem. I think that it is great that so many people have come forward. I have a very late 59 cab which is largely original. It has the later reflectors and I was wondering if these would have been original. I think I will change them out for a spare set of SWF's I have.

Still would be interesting to hear from owners of ery early T-5 cars.

Joris

[Max Handley]

60 B Coupe with front script has glass. Serial # 112074

[Barry Brisco]

60 B Coupe with front script has glass. Serial # 112074

Max, thanks for your post. So are those glass rear reflectors on that car "original" to the car, meaning you have owned it from new and know they've never been changed?

If so, do you have the Kardex or the COA showing the production date? That would be interesting to know...

Best regards,

[Max Handley]

Barry

I'm the 4th owner, It looks like I have a complete set of records back to 1961. I'm very familiar with these cars having restored a few myself. This cars ownership by the second gentleman , lived in Marin County (San Anselmo) for 40 years. It would appear he never drove it in the winter. It has had one repaint in 1997 in the original color (Ruby Red).all inner panels underlids, & dash are in original paint. Its a fully documented car with good records of all work completed in its lifetime. The second owner was so meticulous he recorded each gas fill-up & oil change. Their is no mention of any accidents & I can find no evidence of any. It one of the nicest 356 T/5 B coupes I've come across in my 45 years of Porsche ownership which includes 33 of the marque.. I would be very surprised if the rear reflectors were not original. It would also seem logical if the reflectors were replaced due to fading etc., that the replacements would have been the later Plastic variety.I do not have the COA but may get one in the future.

[Vic Skirmants]

Give me the trans number and I'll give you an approximate build date.