The Official 356Talk Forum

Now that I finally have Miss April (65 C Coupe) running, I'm about to tackle the job of repairing the bent hood and a full paint job. She wears original paint on the hood and roof of the car, and the remainder of the car was painted with a base + clear coat long long ago. She came to us from Arizona, and the high heat really toasted the paint job.

So, now that I have driven her all of about 100 miles, the engine came out today and I begin the process of taking things off for paint. It will be a full paint job, including dash.

I'll use this project space to post updates as I go along, and will provide more detailed info on my website: http://www.enginesinback.com

The car had been dormant for quite a while (years) and was not in running condition. Took me quite a while to get it in full good tune. Today when I pulled the engine, I found there was a little home I did not know about. I had cleaned off lots of grease and spider webs, but missed the top of the transmission. Thought the group might get a kick out of the photo. Good news is that all electrical seems to be working ok and I've already replaced all fuel lines. Seems that was not tasty stuff for the mouse in question.

Not wasting any time getting another car in tip top shape. Good for you.

Checklist made to get the car ready to put on the trailer. I will be taking LOTS of photos along the way.

Miss April
Preparing for Trip to Paint Shop

Checklist for work to be done prior to taking car for body and paint work.

[X] Remove Engine
[X] Remove Headlights
[ ] Remove Turnsignals, reflectors, license light lights
[ ] Remove Bumpers
[ ] Remove Deco
[ ] Remove Front & Rear Glass
[ ] Remove quarter windows
[ ] Remove roll up windows
[ ] Remove Antenna
[ ] Remove Gauges, Switches, Ash Tray and Radio
[ ] Remove Dash cover
[ ] Remove Steering Wheel & loose fit back on
[ ] Remove Glove Box
[ ] Remove battery
[ ] Remove Hood Handle
[ ] Remove Bumperettes
[ ] Remove Horns and Front Grills
[ ] Remove Decklid Grill
[ ] Remove Door Handles
[ ] Remove Door Seals
[ ] Remove Door “Cards” (interior vinyl coverings)
[ ] Remove Windshield Wipers & Nozzles
[ ] Remove Porsche C emblems
[ ] Remove Threshold rubber and trim

Here are some photos of the exterior as she is now. Hood just drives me crazy and I'm really excited to get it repaired. Car is numbers matching, so staying original Irish Green- of course. Her interior is tan.

Hopefully she will be a great looking driver when I am done.

With the engine now out, I started on the dash elements I need to remove.
Everything came off/out ok except for one gauge- It is REALLY stuck in there. The rubber gauge gaskets were all hard as rocks, and I assume this one really melted and bonded to the gauge. I pushed hard enough from the back side I was worried the dash would bend. Time to walk away from it for a while, so I removed the dash pad and front windshield.

You might try a little Goo Gone or other adhesive remover as a penetrating oil.

Good idea Doug. Thanks!

Paul - I found my '65 SC coupe in a carport in Cave Creek, Arizona about 15 years ago. The critters had nested in the front. Not too much wire damage, but I filled a 5 gallon bucket 4 times with seed pods and rat poop! Nasty first job.....
By the way, born and raised in Seattle, Arizona resident for the last 37 years.

Wow, that was more than a whole family of mice, that was the entire community! I shudder to think of the damage done from nibbling on parts of the car. How does she look now?

Got to spend some time in the garage this weekend. List is getting shorter. More info on the Blog on my website.

[X] Remove Engine
[X] Remove Headlights
[X] Remove Turnsignals, reflectors, license light lights
[X] Remove Bumpers
[X] Remove Deco
[X] Remove Front & Rear Glass
[X] Remove quarter windows
[ ] Remove roll up windows (drivers side done, still have passenger side to go)
[X] Remove Antenna
[X] Remove Gauges, Switches, Ash Tray and Radio
[X] Remove Dash cover
[X] Remove Steering Wheel & loose fit back on
[X] Remove Glove Box
[X] Remove battery
[X] Remove Hood Handle
[X] Remove Bumperettes
[X] Remove Horns and Front Grills
[X] Remove Decklid Grills
[X] Remove Door Handles
[X] Remove Door Seals
[X] Remove Door “Cards” (interior vinyl coverings)
[X] Remove Windshield Wipers & Nozzles
[X] Remove Porsche C emblems
[ ] Remove Threshold rubber and trim (drivers side done, still have passenger side to go)
[ ] Remove drain and screen under front cowl
[ ] Remove gas tank

Here in AZ, pack rats can make quick work of wiring insulation and rubber parts. The various noise and light devices intended to keep them away are merely used by them as disco props......

Sometimes you have to celebrate the small victories- She is ready to load on the trailer for paint!

Checklist for work to be done prior to taking car for body and paint work. – Complete 11/27/17

[X] Remove Engine
[X] Remove Headlights
[X] Remove Turn signals, reflectors, license light lights
[X] Remove Bumpers
[X] Remove Deco
[X] Remove Front & Rear Glass
[X] Remove quarter windows
[X] Remove roll up windows (drivers side done, still have passenger side to go)
[X] Remove Antenna
[X] Remove Gauges, Switches, Ash Tray and Radio
[X] Remove Dash cover
[X] Remove Steering Wheel & loose fit back on
[X] Remove Glove Box
[X] Remove battery
[X] Remove Hood Handle
[X] Remove Bumperettes
[X] Remove Horns and Front Grills
[X] Remove Decklid Grills
[X] Remove Door Handles
[X] Remove Door Seals
[X] Remove Door “Cards” (interior vinyl door coverings)
[X] Remove Windshield Wipers & Nozzles
[X] Remove Porsche C emblems
[X] Remove Threshold rubber and trim
[X] Remove Drain and screen under front cowl
[X] Remove Gas Tank
[X] Remove Hub Caps
[X] Remove Torsion Bar Covers
[X] Remove Floor Mats
[X] Remove Seats
[X] Remove Interior Light Switches from door hinge area.
[X] Remove Hinge Cover trim and data plate- send covers with car
[X] Remove Washer Bottle and Fuse Box covers
[X] Remove Rear View Mirror and Visors
[X] Remove Gas Filler Door

I always like to check parts over for a date code whenever I have a chance. Pulled the gas tank out and found the code on the flange that is closest to the upper right when facing the car. I am assuming that 65A is January of 1965 as that would be consistant with the other date codes and the date of manufacture of the car.

It won't be long now and you will have a hood that fits. Did you buy your old website back?

Doug-
Yes. I now host http://www.enginesinback.com again. Glad to have it back and I enjoy sharing info on that site. I added well over 100 vintage photos just for fun browsing.

Bob Mulica, who now owns Miss June has a website for that car. It's http://www.missjune356.com. Bob is a great guy and we talk regularily. Bob cleared the way for me to regain http://www.enginesinback.com As my website develops, It will be largely focused on originality, technical info, sharing vintage photos and video, and the restoration of Miss April. I also added a Blog, so we will see if I can keep that going/interesting.

Thanks for asking.