1955 Pre A Continental Coupe, Vin 53232 Restoration

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Alexander George
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1955 Pre A Continental Coupe, Vin 53232 Restoration

#1 Post by Alexander George »

Hello all,
So finally the restoration on my 55 coupe started.
During this Process your suggestions, knowledge and experience will aid this tread to uncover some of the car's history, and will guide me to restore the car to its original glory.

I do have some history and apparently the car was used as a rally car, so most probably someone knows something about it.
I will try to keep you posted with photos of the resto.

One other important thing before all I would like to Thank Kester Bishop an Irish guy living in Minnesota US, One of the kindest persons I have ever met, without him I could have never owned my Dream car.

OK so lets start rolling!!!!

Pics of the Advert.

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1955 Pre A Reutter Coupe Vin #53232

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Alexander George
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Location: Malta (Europe)

Re: 1955 Pre A Continental Coupe, Vin 53232 Restoration

#2 Post by Alexander George »

Building the Rotisserie
Pics.

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1955 Pre A Reutter Coupe Vin #53232

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Alexander George
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Location: Malta (Europe)

Re: 1955 Pre A Continental Coupe, Vin 53232 Restoration

#3 Post by Alexander George »

Going to MN and WI to see the car.
OHH that was cold.
November 2014

Landing
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From my hotel room, the next day
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Hired car, Definitely not used to this!!!
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When I first saw the 55,
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1955 Pre A Reutter Coupe Vin #53232

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Alexander George
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Re: 1955 Pre A Continental Coupe, Vin 53232 Restoration

#4 Post by Alexander George »

Shipping the car Home
It was a hassle as the car transporter could not go in the house to take the car as there was too much snow and the truck was big.
So they had to go and get the 55 out with a smaller truck than shift it to the car transporter to make its way to New York Port.

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1955 Pre A Reutter Coupe Vin #53232

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Doug McDonnell
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Re: 1955 Pre A Continental Coupe, Vin 53232 Restoration

#5 Post by Doug McDonnell »

Late November usually isn't so bad in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Try late January when the high is -8 F.
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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Ronald Sieber
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Re: 1955 Pre A Continental Coupe, Vin 53232 Restoration

#6 Post by Ronald Sieber »

You did the right thing by visiting the car personally to verify that it was all there. A lesson for all of us...

Good luck on the restoration. Looks like it has mostly good bones. Keep us all posted!

=rds

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Glen Hamner, Jr
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Re: 1955 Pre A Continental Coupe, Vin 53232 Restoration

#7 Post by Glen Hamner, Jr »

Restoration, I don't think so. New upholstery, carpeting, sure. But when that's finished, just drive and maintain it. Nice find. Treat it well and it will be your friend for life.

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Alexander George
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Re: 1955 Pre A Continental Coupe, Vin 53232 Restoration

#8 Post by Alexander George »

Thanks for the comments,
I believe you should always see the car before buying, however, saying that you can still not see all bad points.
Some times and not saying always, ones you want the car you can get blind and not see the bad of it....
thing is that finding a Pre A is not something easy and ones you find it you have to go for it.

So more pics....
arrived home in beautiful sunny Malta!!!!!!!

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Customs in Malta....checking all the paper work inspection and increasing the value so they make me pay more duty.....

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1955 Pre A Reutter Coupe Vin #53232

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Alexander George
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Re: 1955 Pre A Continental Coupe, Vin 53232 Restoration

#9 Post by Alexander George »

Taking the 55 to the shop for dismantlement and prep for blasting.

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1955 Pre A Reutter Coupe Vin #53232

Steven De Smedt
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Re: 1955 Pre A Continental Coupe, Vin 53232 Restoration

#10 Post by Steven De Smedt »

What a beautiful car in an even beautiful country. Please keep us posted.

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Alexander George
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Re: 1955 Pre A Continental Coupe, Vin 53232 Restoration

#11 Post by Alexander George »

At the Shop
Striped and placed on the Rotisserie,
Getting Ready for Blasting.

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Some of the original Turkish Red under the Dash
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On the Way to Blast the body shell
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1955 Pre A Reutter Coupe Vin #53232

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Alexander George
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Re: 1955 Pre A Continental Coupe, Vin 53232 Restoration

#12 Post by Alexander George »

Steven De Smedt wrote:What a beautiful car in an even beautiful country. Please keep us posted.
Thanks Steven.
1955 Pre A Reutter Coupe Vin #53232

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Alexander George
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Re: 1955 Pre A Continental Coupe, Vin 53232 Restoration

#13 Post by Alexander George »

Cleaning the shell after Blast and pre-pairing for primer.

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1955 Pre A Reutter Coupe Vin #53232

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Alexander George
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Re: 1955 Pre A Continental Coupe, Vin 53232 Restoration

#14 Post by Alexander George »

The start.
A long way to go.

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1955 Pre A Reutter Coupe Vin #53232

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Glen Hamner, Jr
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Re: 1955 Pre A Continental Coupe, Vin 53232 Restoration

#15 Post by Glen Hamner, Jr »

THE absolute labor of LOVE!

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