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How can you tell a 356A Drivers manual is genuine

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2018 2:07 pm
by David Austin
If the manual has "W 32 - September 1957 Edition - Printed in Germany. Author of German Citizenship - 5.58 GI" on the first page does this confirm authenticity ?
Many thanks.

Re: How can you tell a 356A Drivers manual is genuine

Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2018 11:03 pm
by Jan Kolm
No. There are official reprints from the 1970s that look original, including the white spiral binding. They are often advertised online as originals

However, original manuals have 42 punched holes, top to bottom, while the official reprints have 33.

The unofficial, black-and-white reprints have black spiral bindings, like 911/912 manuals and have 41 holes, top to bottom.

Re: How can you tell a 356A Drivers manual is genuine

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 1:00 pm
by David Austin
Hi Jan,
Thank you for this information.
I have found two one that looks like its just been printed but claims to be original with white plastic ring binding. The other looks well used with what looks like black plastic ring binding.
Any comments?
Thanks

Re: How can you tell a 356A Drivers manual is genuine

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 10:37 am
by Edwin Ek
Jan, that is great information!

Re: How can you tell a 356A Drivers manual is genuine

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2018 11:46 am
by Jim Alton
Good advice indeed, but not all 911 manuals have black bindings.
W 312 e   Edition I/65
W 312 e Edition I/65

Re: How can you tell a 356A Drivers manual is genuine

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2018 11:24 pm
by Alan Hall
Der White indicated that original 356A manuals had black spiral bindings and that the factory reprints from 1960 on had the white binding. I believe this is correct.

Re: How can you tell a 356A Drivers manual is genuine

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2018 7:25 am
by Jan Kolm
In summary:

Vertical format: 42 punched holes, top-to-bottom
Horizontal format (911/912): 29 holes, top to bottom

Black binding: 1956-~1959. ~1966-
White binding: ~1959-65

Re: How can you tell a 356A Drivers manual is genuine

Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 5:03 pm
by David Austin
In spite of the good advice I still got caught out. I bought a manual sold as 1957 but it was actually a 1964 reprint. It was in super condition and I will send it back so nothing lost. I now ask for a photo of the print edition page.
David

Re: How can you tell a 356A Drivers manual is genuine

Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 7:51 pm
by Curt Crowell
David-I think this page is what you're looking for, came with my '57 coupe. Curt Crowell