Heater slide delete grommet

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Rick Woltz
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Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:51 am
Tag: Kailua, Hawaii
Location: Kailua, Hawaii

Heater slide delete grommet

#1 Post by Rick Woltz »

I purchased a 1955 speedster and was reading my SPEEDSTER TYP 540 book. On page 99 it shows a heater vent trim ring that was installed on 1955 Speedsters to correct an overheating problem prior to the windshield defroster vents being added. Apparently if you left the heater on and closed the slider for the heater there was no place for the hot air to go and cause the engine to overheat. My question is: where can I get these steel grommets that finish the hole in the carpet.
Rick Woltz
President
Hawaii 356 Owners Group

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Neil Schlabaugh
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Re: Heater slide delete grommet

#2 Post by Neil Schlabaugh »

Years ago when we did a '55 speedster we used these. I don't know if cut and paste link will work. If not go to Wolfsburgwest and click on bug, then Interior, then carpet. Heat rings through '53.

Maybe James Davies knows if someone is specifically making these.



http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/Detai ... =113863535

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Donald Zingg
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Re: Heater slide delete grommet

#3 Post by Donald Zingg »

Rick

What is your Speedster's chassis number?
P-356 Speedsters were delivered with heater slides up until approx. car #80400.
In mid-March 1955 the factory addressed the problem you mentioned by eliminating the slides.
That fix remained in effect until mid-October 1955 when defroster vents and warm air ducts were added to the Speedster dashboard. At that time the Speedster once again got heater slides.

Wolfsburg West's first version trim ring from a few years ago (shown below) was similar in size and shape to the trim ring supplied on '55 Speedsters. The side by side photos below show a salvaged 356 trim ring next to the W.W. trim ring. Looking at the current photos on their website it's hard to tell if they've made any changes to the design since it was first offered - - - -
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Martin Benade
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Re: Heater slide delete grommet

#4 Post by Martin Benade »

That hole was the only place for heat to enter the car?
Cleveland Ohio
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Norm Miller
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Re: Heater slide delete grommet

#5 Post by Norm Miller »

Martin Benade wrote:That hole was the only place for heat to enter the car?
There was plenty of room for all the heat the engine could produce.
No need for other holes. :wink:

Norm
 

Rick Woltz
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Posts: 89
Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:51 am
Tag: Kailua, Hawaii
Location: Kailua, Hawaii

Re: Heater slide delete grommet

#6 Post by Rick Woltz »

Donald,
My speedster is 80718 finished in July 55 so I'm pretty sure that it should have the grommets
Rick

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