1957 356 A Late T1

[Dick Weiss]

Chris,

The tail light openings are correct for the teardrop version since chassis 100001 after March 1957.

Dick

[Harlan Halsey]

Could it be that that transmission is a 741? With a 644 nose? The clutch lever is the clevis pin type, and the bending tube bracket is the aluminum one, not the steel sheet metal one. I can't tell from the pictures, but the guide tube may be there, along with the associated downward facing lever trunnion slots. The clutch lever return spring is missing....The cups would go with a 741, but might not, as we have seen, go with the chassis. If it is a 741 it will fit the chassis, maybe by leaving off the cups, but the clutch cable length could be an issue, one which I expect to face myself soon.

[Vic Skirmants]

" the associated downward facing lever trunnion slots." Harlan, you lost me there.
Edit:
Never mind; I see you meant the throwout bearing arm slots; of course the guide tube is there; that's what the throwout bearing is riding on.

[Chris Makaritis]

Thank you for your comments.
I got a hold of the engine bay sound deadening. Thank you Bill.

The current issue to solve now is the steering box. I am not sure if the one I found on the car is the correct one but I cannot find the ball bearings to fit or maybe I should just go for a complete new unit.
Appreciate any suggestions or leads.
As a reminder Im still looking for an exchange for my Carrera instruments with fully restored normal ones to fit my car.

[Trevor Gates]

Regarding your steering box issue. The one you have is for Pre A and T1. (The vw logo is cast in the housing and it only has two bolts for mounting to the torsion housing.) However, my very late T1 10164Three has the provision in the bottom flange of the steering box access cover hole to accommodate a later ZF box, which is standard for T2 and up. I believe the factory was implementing upgrades/changes on some items. Below are pictures of how this area looks like on my car.



Can you post a better pic of this area? It looks like a notch has already been made by someone to accept the ZF box.

72538795-108B-4F88-A66A-19AF1AB9D832.jpeg (55.01 KiB) Viewed 2024 times

[Chris Makaritis]

Hi Trevor,

Thank you for your reply. This is a picture of that area during restoration.

[Jim Clement]

I rebuilt my VW style steering box a few years ago, it was quite easy, and the parts mostly from Stoddard and or my local transmission and bearing supply house.
here is the link I used, although I now cannot get the parts list to load..


https://tallerdelbug.blogspot.com/2012/ ... build.html

[Trevor Gates]

Chris,

Can you post a picture closer up? The notch obviously is for the clearance of the ZF box. What I’m trying to determine is if it was made by the factory or not. Regardless, you have clearance to fit it and the ZF box is better. I’d sell what you have and buy a ZF.

[Eric Lenius]

Chris,

I am wondering why the extra hole is there on the left. The rear hole is for the normal tank vent. The front hole is in the right general position for the GT tank vent. Did all of the cars have both holes?

Regards,

Eric L.

[Eric Lenius]

Now that I see other pictures, they don't all have two holes. Odd....

[Chris Makaritis]

Thank you Jim for the link. Can't see any parts list there though.
Eric< i just posted more pics of the area.

[Trevor Gates]

From your latest picture I still can’t determine if the notch was made by the factory or not. However, since you’re in final paint I wouldn’t expect you’d go back and weld this up. Keep your eye out for a ZF box in the classifieds.

[Michael Doyle]

You’re doing a great job on your ‘57A coupe restoration. When interior time comes, I make the proper recreated Reutter Headliner for your car. The material is color matched very light grey with the elongated Diamond hole perforation pattern. Contact me for more info if interested. best/Michael