Little Blue 58 Coupe

[Jesse Benedict]

Here is the start of my project!

I got the body stripped down and a frame built to move it around on. It's headed to get dipped/stripped now and we will see how much is left after the rust is gone? It has been smashed pretty good in the front before so i know everything forward of the suspension tubes will need replaced along with the trunk sidewalls. Everything underneath is rotten as well so floorpans, longitudinals, rear inner fenders, etc will all need replaced. Its quite amazing the doors still lined up with proper gap.

Its an early AT2, December of 57 production SN 102364, if anyone with a close serial number has done major rust repair recently know which metal fits the best PM me on the side I also have a cabriolet same vintage waiting till this one is done thankfully its not as rusty and no previous damage.

I will add more pics once its dipped and we see how much is left! It's a slow project as I am only home every other few months.

~Jesse

[Phil Planck]

Here we go. Looking forward and good luck

[C J Murray]

Thank you for saving another 356. Don't get discouraged, it's worth the effort. Here is some inspiration for you...

DSC_0020.jpg (154.29 KiB) Viewed 3953 times

DSC_0005.jpg (189.84 KiB) Viewed 3953 times

IMG_3089.jpg (158.89 KiB) Viewed 3953 times

IMG_1663.jpg (169.96 KiB) Viewed 3953 times

IMG_1661.jpg (153.37 KiB) Viewed 3953 times

IMG_1680.jpg (121.15 KiB) Viewed 3953 times

IMG_1664.jpg (166.32 KiB) Viewed 3953 times

DSC_0004.jpg (257.54 KiB) Viewed 3953 times

DSC_0008.jpg (239.22 KiB) Viewed 3953 times

[Adam Wright]

As found, that was a fun one.

[Spike Jones]

Hi Jessie,
My '58 cab is a Dec. '57 production car.
All numbers matching. So when you start on yours, let me know. I might be able to tell you a few things about it.

[Jesse Benedict]

Thanks for the support to all!

CJ yours looks great, this one is a normal as well but will be the Aquamarine Blue with Brown interior so very similar!

Adam, if you got anymore of the barn find pics email them to me!

Spike, I will be in contact, according to the Kardex the coupe was Dec 9 and my cab on Dec 10 so I am calling them siblings! I am leaving it together till this one gets done so it can be used as a blueprint also! Heres a pic of it, the rust isn't near as severe, mainly just floorpans. Both happen to be matching numbers as well.

I will limit this thread to just the coupe, the cab will be a year down the road!

[neil blaber]

nice looking car jesse, lots of knowledge on this forum to help you

[Spike Jones]

Cab looks better than mine did when I bought it.
Looks a little better now.

356 buddy holly glasses.jpg (3.88 MiB) Viewed 3817 times

[Spike Jones]

This is what it looked like early in the process.

IMG_20181031_0001 (4).jpg (549.79 KiB) Viewed 3773 times

IMG_20181031_0001 (2).jpg (537.17 KiB) Viewed 3773 times

[Jesse Benedict]

Folks,

I got an update! I'm still 8k miles away from my project till I get home at the end of the year but I got news it made it home from the strip tank! Best news is that there is still a majority of it still there and is still a complete "body" although it seems "Carcass" might better describe it! They snapped some quick pictures of it while it was in the trailer so thats my sneak peak till I am able to get a better look! Time to start ordering replacement metal and making lots of measurements!

Jess

[Phil Planck]

Dash looks great

[David Jones]

Jesse better call Mike at Restoration Design and get his floor kit and ask about getting a bulk order then plan on welding for many hours.

[Jules Dielen]

looks like it got tapped on the nose pretty hard. X-measure your suspension points and see if your front beam is bent. if needed get a hold of a Celette bench. It may need some stretching.

[Jesse Benedict]

Dear Santa, I need sheetmetal.... lots of sheet metal and I've been as good as I can be and I promise I won't ever keep hitting bid at any car auctions anymore!

I finally got to get my hands on freshly dipped metal and took some quick shots of the car where i could see the rust in whole. Time to start saving up and seeing which parts fit the best now days. From all the research so far it seems a few items from each metal place depending on the part. I will detail in on some areas later as we go and ask specific advise but here is what I am starting off with! So glad its not the orange/yellow and so its one step closer to Aquamarine Blue!

I also found an original manual with all the drawings of dimensions so I need some metric measuring devices and I can see how out of wack the suspension points are. I think most the front end damage is limited to the front and hasn't pushed back in the geometry too bad or like mentioned stretch it back out?

Pictures are in no order, I just flew for 3 days but I had to get to the shop to survey the results and see where to dig in at.

Enjoy,

Jesse

[Al Zim]

You have the front suspension off your car send it to us for evaluation. All parts are measured of factory tooling, and you will receive a written evaluation of the cost of repairs. No charge if we do the work, $75.00 plus postage if we return the parts to you. al zim 800.356.2964 ask for Aaron if you have any further questions.