1959 356A Cabriolet Project - Introduction and Help Needed

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Luis G. Pacheco
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1959 356A Cabriolet Project - Introduction and Help Needed

#1 Post by Luis G. Pacheco »

Hey Folks,

I'm fairly new to the Porsche world and have been plugging away at this 1959 356A I picked up late last year. It was already painted when I got it, but was pretty well gutted. We are now on to the upholstery portion of the re-assembly and I am having trouble with the soft top install.

I supplied the two metal strips that attach to the front wood bow that hold the canvas forward, but my upholstery shop did not use them during the install. Looks like I will be buying a new canvas top...

Please see attached pictures. I know this first attempt was done wrong so please feel to blast away with critiques and advice so these guys do it right this next time around. I've also been looking for good reference pictures of the leading edge of the soft top so I can show them to the upholstery shop, but have had little luck on the web. If someone could post good reference shots showing how the canvas is attached on the leading of the soft top frame that would be great.

I am under the assumption that the little foam gasket that is glued to the leading edge of the soft top frame also doubles as a finishing piece to cover the staples that hold the canvas to the front bow? I welcome all advice that sets me straight!

Thanks in advance and I am happy to be a part of the 356 Registry! Its about time I posted.

Luis
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Vic Skirmants
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Re: 1959 356A Cabriolet Project - Introduction and Help Needed

#2 Post by Vic Skirmants »

Welcome to the Forum. The ignition coil should be vertical so it doesn't interfere with the carb linkage.

Luis G. Pacheco
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Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2018 12:01 am

Re: 1959 356A Cabriolet Project - Introduction and Help Needed

#3 Post by Luis G. Pacheco »

Hey Vic,

Thanks for the reply, yeah we got that fixed before my mechanic installed the motor. That pic was from when I was rolling out the engine from the estate I bought the car from.

Thanks
Luis

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Jules Dielen
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Re: 1959 356A Cabriolet Project - Introduction and Help Needed

#4 Post by Jules Dielen »

Make sure you paint the inside of the windshield frame red before you install the windshield/ dash. Same color as the interior. Pretty car!
Jules

Water pumps are for windshield washers only.

Max Handley
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Re: 1959 356A Cabriolet Project - Introduction and Help Needed

#5 Post by Max Handley »

I see you have the 3 Clip Knecht Filters another clue confirming these were used on 59 Super models.
 Contact email Spyderwerks@comcast.net

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Doug McDonnell
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Re: 1959 356A Cabriolet Project - Introduction and Help Needed

#6 Post by Doug McDonnell »

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Luis I have a friend who restored a 59 Cab and reached out to him. Here is his reply( he forgot his Registry password and asked m e to post it) "Send the whole works down to Agustin at Autos International (they are in the books). They have a jig. Sent mine from Michigan - well worth everything!
You should have an Aluminum strip nailed to the rear wood piece (covers the tacks holding the top in place - looks sharp as well).
The inside of the windshield should be painted Red but, only a slightly darker shade, and also the metal garnish rails at the tops of the doors.

Tom Kayser " PS I sent this link to the current owner of Tom's 59 Cab. Perhaps he can offer further assistance including a picture of the top front. PPS While I also use kitty litter to clean up my messes in the garage I find your use of Kitty Litter rather unique. Give us an idea of where you are located and maybe someone close to you could offer assistance.
1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

Kobus Reyneke
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Re: 1959 356A Cabriolet Project - Introduction and Help Needed

#7 Post by Kobus Reyneke »

Great to see Tom Kayser's Cab mentioned ... I'm the new owner. Unfortunately it's now in for some upgrades at Gaswerks and has the hardtop installed. The soft top is in my garage and I'll get down there tomorrow for pictures. Tom had the top done for him. Nothing really to see on the soft top, but if interested, here are all the photos Tom had of the restoration: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Kt23qWtqMRAqdjDs9

Kobus Reyneke
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Re: 1959 356A Cabriolet Project - Introduction and Help Needed

#8 Post by Kobus Reyneke »

Here are photos of the front of the top. Not sure this helps, but feel free to ask for other angles.
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Doug McDonnell
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Re: 1959 356A Cabriolet Project - Introduction and Help Needed

#9 Post by Doug McDonnell »

Great photos Kobus. They show the kind of work Auto's International does. And thanks for the restoration photos. I tried to Double Tom's money when he bought it but he turned me down.
1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

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Re: 1959 356A Cabriolet Project - Introduction and Help Needed

#10 Post by Kobus Reyneke »

Hi Doug.

Do you live near Tom? How do you know him?

My Cab is still looking great and after the shop visit, it will be in perfect shape. Here are recent photos of it: https://photos.app.goo.gl/JQ5gWRkrPgc1wCxV6

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Doug McDonnell
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Re: 1959 356A Cabriolet Project - Introduction and Help Needed

#11 Post by Doug McDonnell »

I do live near Tom and have driven your car a few times after he finished it.Love the Silver/ green combo. I drove by Tom's house all the time on my way back from the hardware store. I always saw his Original owner 914 in the garage. One day I saw something else parked next to the 914. The rear of your car after he bought it. So being a 356er I stopped, introduced myself and had a nice talk with him and his wife Jan. I offered him twice what he paid for it and he turned me down explaining that her was going to restore it. Body was done by a well know 356er here in SouthWest Michigan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxSKO3Er-Yg And mechanicals were done by our late friend Bill Hallack. I had seen the car years earlier when the previous owner had it and drove it to his place of business. "Boogie Records" The car still looks beautiful in your photos. Hard to believe he put over 30K miles on it after he restored it.
1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

Kobus Reyneke
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Re: 1959 356A Cabriolet Project - Introduction and Help Needed

#12 Post by Kobus Reyneke »

Great to hear you're a friend. I had long chats with Tom and also spoke to Chuck who sent me a jar of silver paint - just in case I need it. Hopefully I'll get to meet you somewhere at an event.

Luis G. Pacheco
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Re: 1959 356A Cabriolet Project - Introduction and Help Needed

#13 Post by Luis G. Pacheco »

Thanks for all the super helpful pictures, those are perfect. I will post pictures of the car when its all done.

Thanks again
Luis

Luis G. Pacheco
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Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2018 12:01 am

Re: 1959 356A Cabriolet Project - Introduction and Help Needed

#14 Post by Luis G. Pacheco »

Doug McDonnell wrote: Thu Feb 21, 2019 7:09 pm IMG_0006.JPGLuis I have a friend who restored a 59 Cab and reached out to him. Here is his reply( he forgot his Registry password and asked m e to post it) "Send the whole works down to Agustin at Autos International (they are in the books). They have a jig. Sent mine from Michigan - well worth everything!
You should have an Aluminum strip nailed to the rear wood piece (covers the tacks holding the top in place - looks sharp as well).
The inside of the windshield should be painted Red but, only a slightly darker shade, and also the metal garnish rails at the tops of the doors.

Tom Kayser " PS I sent this link to the current owner of Tom's 59 Cab. Perhaps he can offer further assistance including a picture of the top front. PPS While I also use kitty litter to clean up my messes in the garage I find your use of Kitty Litter rather unique. Give us an idea of where you are located and maybe someone close to you could offer assistance.
Hey Doug,

This made me laugh. The picture with the cat litter containers was actually in the garage where I first saw the car. The nice lady I bought it from used the empty cat litter containers to create a walking perimeter of sorts around the car. The other 356 that came with it wasn't so lucky. Apparently her younger brother was somewhat careless working around the cars and managed to dent the coupe in 3-4 places. Thats my driver quality car and Im leaving the dents, its nice having a car I don't worry about if I want to putt around town in stress free. I am in Portland Oregon, by the way.
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