Pre A Speedster Blue Speedster Restoration/Photo History

[Jim Karaba]

December of 1956 (1957 model year) T-1 speedster. Original horn grill openings and original holes. The holes in the body are at 12 and 6 but that makes the trim ring holes at 3 and 9.

[Jim Karaba]

1953 Pre-A with original holes in the nose also. I also restored a March 1957 T-1 Cab that has its original nose and holes and its lights are as pictured (don't currently have a picture on my computer) like this Pre-A and the speedster. I too noticed differences in other peoples cars and assumed either they changed the mounting arrangement after T-1 or people doing the restorations redrilled the holes at 3 an 9 thinking it looked better and not realizing that puts the trim rings at 12 and 6.

[William Hartong]

It was good to see your speedster and the nice work you've done. I just started to restore #80255 built Feb 55. It is speedster Blue with Tan top as well. I am looking for the paint code and or sprayout if you have them. Thanks for sharing. Bill

[Chad Comeau]

Well it looks like I am going to move the lens cover to 3 & 9. The sales brochure provided by Charlie was the proof that I was looking for!

Bill; Send me an email and I will send you the paint formula that I used. It is based off of John Willhoits paint sample.

I went digging through the speedster parts box last night and found a bunch of windshield wiper arms. I can't wait until I get to the point where I have to figure out which is the correct one for my car! Every time I dig through this box I find new stuff!

Any suggestions to which one is the correct one for a Pre A Speedster?

Also found more original rubber for the side molding

Larry:
Sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your questions about the tie rod measurements. Here are some pictures and measurements of the Pitman arm for my Pre A as well as the sub axle. As you can see the opening on the arm is smaller than the opening on the Stub Axle.

Top Opening Pitman Arm

Bottom Opening Pitman Arm

Inner Tie Rod Measurement

Outer Tie Rod Measurement

Stub Axle Measurement

[Chad Comeau]

For those who want to know about hood seals.....

I purchased a hood seal from Stoddard a year ago and I purchased another hood seal from NLA a few weeks ago. They are literally night and day. The one from Stoddard is thicker and a harder rubber compound. The one from NLA is a softer rubber and will definitely compress easier. I know Stoddard and NLA are pretty much the same company now however the 2-products are completely different!

Left Stoddard-Right NLA

[Dennis ODonnell]

Your car in 1960.

[Chad Comeau]

That definitely settles it...thanks Dennis! Funny thing is that I looked everywhere else except my own vintage car pictures!!

[Larry Coreth]

You realize of course that the bores for the tie rod ends are tapered ! Thus measuring at the same position along the taper is essential. I would be very surprised to see the tie rod ends taper sizes to be different for the stub Axle and the Pitman arm. Now I’m not Pre-A expert, but I know A’s, B’s andc’s and they are definitely all the same taper with a 10mm X 1.0 thread.

[Chad Comeau]

Just in case anyone was wondering if Porsche was going to make another 356 Speedster, here is the "final" word according to Panorama circa 1964.

[Vic Skirmants]

The speedster was discontinued because of lack of demand; obviously to Porsche's relief.

[Chad Comeau]

More progress over the weekend. Installed emergency brake lines, throttle linkage and Shifter!

Dash

NOS Horn Grills

Turn Signal Lens (screws now the correct way)

[Chad Comeau]

The Gas tank is now installed. I was able to reuse the felt that goes between the body and gas tank. I had my wife cut out the felt strips that go on the straps that go over the gas tank. So now she has officially contributed to the project

Spare Tire hold down Clamp Installed. (I had the original screws re-chromed to keep them slotted) Trying to be as close to original as possible!!

For the crazies (including me in the crazies category) there is foundry stamp (30) on the hold down clamp.

I painted my headlight buckets (Krylon Dull Aluminum): Speedster Headlight buckets are solid and do not have hole in them for a parking light bulb. It has been fun searching for these!!

Today I plan on nstalling the brake lines!!

[Chad Comeau]

Door lock mechanism has 10-55 Data Stamped on it.

[Chad Comeau]

Lots of progress has been made over the last week! I am shooting for the end of May to have it completed!

Speedster Side Spear Right Rear

Speedster Side Spear Front

Door Latch all Cleaned Up

Original Side Spear & Repro Side Spear (The original one is the smaller one)

Original Windshield Post Bolt

[Chad Comeau]

Spent a few hours tonight fitting the passenger door side spear and beehive lights.

Speedster Badge

DS-Rear Suspension

Garage Shot

Repro vs. Original SWF Box

The Real Deal...SWF Amber Beehive Taillight

Voltage Regulator

The Real Deal...SWF Red Beehive Taillight

Lots of part waiting to be installed

Passenger Side

Speedster Shop