Outlaw engine lid

[Tom Tate]

With the correct, number matching engine cover hanging on the wall I located a replacement for my Speedster some years ago and had a local Hot Rod guy louver it for me. After seeing a few 356A Carrera engine covers with the center section (hump) removed and covered with a screen I put that on my to do list. A phone call from a friend who thought he had some sort of 550 Spyder engine grill produced the Factory part I needed and the job was completed this week by a metal fabrication wizard. He even duplicated the inside lip which was a real chore. It was a good thing that I had a number of correct photos to go on. I assume that the retaining bolts should be painted black so they don't stand out but I haven't decided if I'll do that yet. With the grill in place it doesn't jump out at you but a closer look reveals the change. Just what I wanted. KTF

[Adam Wright]

Better not get caught in the rain.

[janos szarvadi]

Better not get caught in the rain.

Adam,
This is an original Carrera 2 GT deck lid. It sports chicken wire protection only. Never had any problem, even in heavy rain.

Prosit,
Janos

[Greg Erickson]

Tom,
I like the screen....looks cool....maybe I'll do that under my louver...

[Jose Ortells]

Hi Tom,

I am in the process to do the louvers on my 56 A.

Do you have the original measures for the louvers and/or the correct photos to go on.

Thanks

Jose

[Tom Tate]

Because of the black paint it doesn't photograph well up close. I'll measure tonight and send you the dimensions. KTF

[MarkWade]

Tom do you have more pictures of the louvers . If so could you give me the dimension and how they are attached. I love the look and would like to put them on my C

[Tom Tate]

I went with the 5 louver version as I have a '58, in '59 they went to 6 louvers (these were used on GT cars). See page 43 in Dr Johnsons book for the best photos. You may have to reduce the width on a C lid as there is less space along side the twin grills. KTF

[MarkWade]

Thanks Tom. Where do I get the book?

[Tom Tate]

Check the Vendor list, Charlie White or Bill Block can help you out. KTF

[Bruce Baker]

Tom do you have more pictures of the louvers . If so could you give me the dimension and how they are attached. I love the look and would like to put them on my C

8) There are 14 (metric!) louvers on the C lid already. You could cut those out of the lid's rain tray and in half and place (7) "original" louvers on either side of the grille in corresponding cut-outs in the outer skin.....oops, that works only on a single grille lid...... ....but it makes the purists nuts!

[Aaron W. Holstrom]

That looks great!

[Michael Moss]

Mark:
Here is what I did to an extra T6 deck lid for my car. Mike

[Bill Sargent]

Tom,

All you need now is a faux cam motor!

Michael,

Cool way to backdate a 356! Goes against the "back in the day" trend to update (think bee hive lights replaced by tear drops) but is right in there with the 911 crowd that back date early 90s 964s to look like a long hood.

[Harlan Halsey]

Louvers and the screen are no bigge thanks to GT Werke (an advertiser) They can do it in the original steel lid or re-skin with aluminum. They supply the screen and modify the tray. They had a display at the Lit Meet. I sent my original numbers matching lid for a little improvement last week.