Pre A Speedster Blue Speedster Restoration/Photo History

[Eric Lampe]

Is that color the same as the 1965 356 Sky Blue? It looks very similar to the original blue paint on my 65.

[Chad Comeau]

Hi Eric;
Yes Speedster Blue and Sky Blue are the same color. Here are a few more pictures of the car! So far I have put about 30 miles on the car, I plan to spend some time this weekend sorting it!

It does actually drive!

[Chad Comeau]

I am pleased to say that I replaced the ignition switch and the speedster now shuts off! If anyone has a lead on a Pre A ignition switch let me know! The BOSCH replacement works however it is not correct. YNZ provided excellent tech support matching up the new ignition switch terminals with the wiring harness.

[Glen Hamner, Jr]

My word, how natural light changes everything. So that's speedster blue. Time to check my color file and move all the wrong blue's to my blue-also file.

[Chad Comeau]

Hi Glen;
Yes the car looks totally different in natural light! Here is a picture of the original color of the car. It was on the inside of the door under layers of dirt and grease. The picture was taken in my garage not in natural light.

Chad

[Chad Comeau]

The pulley seal oil leak has been fixed! A new pulley seal was installed in the 1600 super engine. However it was still leaking a lot of oil! I removed the pulley and found that a groove was worn into the pulley. I purchased a speedi sleeve for the pulley, installed it and the oil leak in gone! In the pictures below you can see the groove worn into the pulley.

Grooved Pulley

Normal Pulley (you can see scoring however there is no groove

Speedi Sleeve Ready For Installation

My Spare Gas Tank Fits great inside a 16" Wheel!

Although the Sorting list is still long it has been an absolute joy to drive!

I will continue to update this forum as "sort" the Speedster!

[Justin Rio]

Congratulations on finishing your speedster Chad! Its an accomplishment alot of owners have yet to do, myself included. The car turned out beautifully and it was neat to see the previous owner enjoying it right along side you. Great job!
Justin

[Chad Comeau]

Hi Justin;
Thanks for the kind words, the speedster has been an absolute joy to drive. Early in the year I set a date to have it completed. I literally worked on the car almost every evening to finish it for our 50th anniversary event. The second owner was thrilled to see the car again and shared some great stories such as participating in the PCA parade in 1967 with it! I have been watching the progress on your Carrera Coupe as well and it will be an amazing car once completed!

[Chad Comeau]

So far the speedster has been running great! I am still working on few little things how ever with old cars you are always working on a "few" little things. I will have to say that there is nothing like driving an open top car, the driving experience is highlighted! Cold morning drives through the country or warm evening drives are equally as enjoyable all of the sounds and smells puts a huge smile on my face!


Here is a link to one of those drives! I just finished sorting out my transmission linkage so I had to take it for a drive!!

http://youtu.be/HPGsXzDNtuU

[Chad Comeau]

Had a great drive on DY356 day. Clarence NY to Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester! Oak Hill displayed cars on their driving range for the first time! There were a 3-356's and a host of other makes and models! For me, the 60-Mile drive there and back was more fun than the event!

All cleaned up of the event:

[Vic Skirmants]

Sweet!

[Rafik Dous]

Chad, are you able to take few pictures looking down on the bumpers? I am about to trial fit my bumpers on my Pre A speedster 80351 and want to know if I should have a consistent gap all along or does the gap narrows around the nose
Thanks

[Chad Comeau]

Hi Rafik;
I have to say that the bumpers were my least favorite part of this project. This winter I plan on taking them off and re-fitting the trim. When I installed the front bumpers I tried to get the gap even between the outside fender and bumper. Here are a few pictures, I hope this helps.

Last weekend we had a 70 degree day in Buffalo..so I had to take it for a ride!
http://youtu.be/uOD926pc2TM

[Simon Fairweather]

Sounding nice and smooth

Great car.

[Rafik Dous]

Thanks very much Chad