Its a 1957 356 oval ragtop

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Joey Bautista
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Its a 1957 356 oval ragtop

#1 Post by Joey Bautista »

Just wanted to share with y'all this fun project I did a few months back with Russ Rodriguez of Fibersteel in Azusa CA. I have always admired the " Vintagespeed " look of an oval VW BUT with all 356 bits. So I bought a 1957 356A motor to match the era of the car and Bill Brown sold me a set of rebuilt B brakes. 356 5.5" rims with CN36's on long studs and spacers on rear. For convenience of valve adjustment, Russ neatly folded the sheetmetal just a smidge so you can remove valve covers. Also we did the custom tank with a raised neck and 110mm blaucap.
Hope you like it ! :D
Attachments
@ rest in the garage.
@ rest in the garage.
close up of correct A motor with round Knechts & voltage reg atop generator.
close up of correct A motor with round Knechts & voltage reg atop generator.
rear view with YOM plates & sport muffler.
rear view with YOM plates & sport muffler.
wire baskets by Tony Smetona with 7" Marchals.
wire baskets by Tony Smetona with 7" Marchals.
detail of B brakes by Bill Brown
detail of B brakes by Bill Brown
sport muffler shortened on both ends by 1.5" each to fit.
sport muffler shortened on both ends by 1.5" each to fit.

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Larry Coreth
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Location: NE N.CAROLINA

Re: Its a 1957 356 oval ragtop

#2 Post by Larry Coreth »

Beautiful VW !! Same color as my ’62 I had back in the late ‘70’s but it reminds me more of the hot VW’s running around Richmond, VA when I was in H.S. a decade earlier, Porsche rims all around or reversed VW rims in the rear etc.
You’ve done a nice job on the car I imagine it goes nicely with 616/2 motor and stops even better with the “B” brakes ! The Bug’s Achilles heel, in my opinion, were the lack of brakes. Even with only 40+ Hp (slightly modified engine) I often exceeded the capacity of the brakes on my old Bug cruising the back roads of the Blue Ridge Mts. around Lynchburg, VA., faded them down to almost nothing once, a seat puckering experience. I'm green with envy.
Larry Coreth
Roanoake Rapids, NC

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Stephen Moran
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Joined: Fri May 30, 2008 2:09 am
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Its a 1957 356 oval ragtop

#3 Post by Stephen Moran »

Well executed vintage hot up of a nice looking Oval there Joey. I have a 54 RHD vert beetle (1 of 14 left worldwide) and you've given me some inspiration here. How does it drive with the 356 motor and B brakes?

Cheers

Steve
Steve Moran
Sydney, Australia
58 RHD A-T2 Coupe (with Bench Seat)
60 LHD B-T5 Coupe

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Herrick Griffin
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Location: Dallas, TX

Re: Its a 1957 356 oval ragtop

#4 Post by Herrick Griffin »

I don't think you need to *hope* we like it, that car is amazing! Like someone else said, that's a very well executed build done in very good taste. And it's a ragtop! I honestly wouldn't have done anything differently, except give it to a member named Herrick. :D
Herrick Griffin
1963 S Coupe

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Greg Scallon
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Location: Los Altos, CA

Re: Its a 1957 356 oval ragtop

#5 Post by Greg Scallon »

I share Herrick's sentiments. Absolutely beautifully done. Will I get to see it in person at the Concord Treffen show next month?

-Greg
'58 Speedster
'56 VW Deluxe Microbus 

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michael rogers
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Re: Its a 1957 356 oval ragtop

#6 Post by michael rogers »

Thank you for the plug Greg!

www.norcalvintagevwandporschetreffen.com
Michael Rogers
55' 356 Pre-A

Kevin Wills
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Re: Its a 1957 356 oval ragtop

#7 Post by Kevin Wills »

Joey, it looks awesome. I owned a 73 beetle when I could not afford a 356. If I could pick another VW to own, it would look like this. Great job!!

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Joey Bautista
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Re: Its a 1957 356 oval ragtop

#8 Post by Joey Bautista »

Thanks for kind words ! I plan to be @ the Norcal Treffen too ! :D

jeff hathorn
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Re: Its a 1957 356 oval ragtop

#9 Post by jeff hathorn »

I also have a '57 VW ragtop with '57 356 Normal motor. It has 356 whls&brks. I am the 2nd owner(30 yrs). Never any hits or rust. It has had 1 repaint-original color,basically, pea soup green. I did add Carrera Louvers in the deck lid and a mechanical Porsche tach in the dash speaker grill.
The muffler you are using, I tried. generates too much radiant heat.Burned the paint off the lower valence and caused vapor lock. I tried cutting /sectionong the muffler and still too much heat. Heat problem fixed by having Jason Lee @ HMR build a custom stainless exhaust that comes out the original holes in the lower bodywork. The louvers &SS muffler cured the heating problem. Tach, louvers and muffler were all done by HMR.
I'll try to get my son to help me post some pix if anyone wants to look. It is still my around town car and both my sons learned how to drive in "Beaty".
Jeff
jeffery c hathorn

Mike N
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Re: Its a 1957 356 oval ragtop

#10 Post by Mike N »

Yeah, I've also had some paint bubbling in the engine compartment of the ghia - the 356 muffler is tucked pretty well under there. I was going down the route of insulating paint (on the underside), or some sort of heat insulating pad. Another option may be some sort of metal barrier between the muffler and the actual body.

Please post pictures when you can. I'd be interested in seeing the muffler setup. I'm surprised that stainless steel would radiate that much less heat.

Thanks,
Mike

jeff hathorn
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Re: Its a 1957 356 oval ragtop

#11 Post by jeff hathorn »

I think the biggest heat reducing quality of this SS muffler is the fact that it is shorter and small in diameter. Fits more like the VW muffler. It has a nice mellow sound without droning as you go down the road.
I'll get my son to help me gets some pix up.He's a flt instructor and busy on the weekends.
As stated before, Jason Lee @ HMR built this one. They have a website. I'll bet he has a photo of it he can email you.
jeffery c hathorn

jeff hathorn
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Re: Its a 1957 356 oval ragtop

#12 Post by jeff hathorn »

My 57 Volks Beetle
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jeffery c hathorn

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Joey Bautista
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Re: Its a 1957 356 oval ragtop

#13 Post by Joey Bautista »

Thanks for posting pics Jeff ! Car looks great and nice touch on the Porsche tach !

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Steve Harrison
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Re: Its a 1957 356 oval ragtop

#14 Post by Steve Harrison »

Yes, I like the tach addition also. Very well blended in.
Also like the fact you have the wire mesh Knecht's.
I'll bet it's quick too.

jeff hathorn
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Re: Its a 1957 356 oval ragtop

#15 Post by jeff hathorn »

Thanks for the positive input my brothers!
As far as quickness., I guess it is all relative. But,it will hit about 108 on the flat, and has much more torque. Of course, anything feels fast after removing the 36 HP stock motor!
I came up from behind a guy in a BMW 2002 Tii cruising about 90. He spent a long while looking in his rearview mirror-
Jeff
jeffery c hathorn

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