1960 356b T5 1600 Super project

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Robert A. Olmedo
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1960 356b T5 1600 Super project

#1 Post by Robert A. Olmedo »

Greetings all, and thanks for this wonderful site. I had the pleasure of just purchasing a 1960 365b 1600 that was listed on eBay. Purchasing cars online makes me nervous, but I keep doing this and know it is a sickness. I recently saw the coupe advertised with a few pictures and this listing.

"This amazing 1960 Porsche 356s belonged to my grandfather since new. How many opportunities do you think you will have to purchase a 1 owner 1960 matching number Porsche 356s again. Now here is a little information on this car, about 10 years ago my grandfather decided to do a ground up restoration to his love which was this 356 Porsche. They have over 15k spent alone on full overhaul of the matching number motor. I believe the transmission was overhauled also and i believe is the original also. Before the car was painted it was completely stripped down and over 15k was spent on the paint and is only the first paint job it has received since coming off the line. It comes complete with all parts and ready to be put back together and enjoyed. A lot of things were not restored on the vehicle like steering wheel, dash and instrument panel for the fact it does have 51k miles and my grandfather felt some things needed to be left original on the car. I am not a professional by any means on how to describe a vehicle like this but, I am aware of the rarity and the history of this 356s and I think that makes it a spectacular purchase. Please call me if anymore information is needed or pictures at xxx-xxx-xxxx"

I contacted the seller who had a Texas cell number and during the time of our discussion he then had a NYC and then a Portland OR cell number. I was skeptical but since it had a number, I called. Well, it was not a scam and I was able to have my brother in law inspect the car. Well, more to see if it was real. The car did belong to his grandfather that purchased the car in 1960 and the car came with a title from the 60's. In his small garage he also had a 190SL and 1965 Ducati 250 Scrambler which I ended up buying too. Well after having numerous conversations with him he offered to end the auction early and sell it to me with a 2k deposit. I was a bit leery, but since I knew the car was real, I did it!!! Crossed fingers and a cashiers check in hand, I flew to Portland, rented a Penske truck and trailer and showed up at the home. Well the car was real and, like I noted earlier the Ducati ended up with me too. Well the car made it to Wilmington North Carolina the day before the hurricane and it was placed in my garage. After doing an inventory, the car is missing a bit and the seller promises me he has the parts in another storage home that his father owned. I do believe him and hope to get back in a week or two to collect these. The car was disassembled and painted, but the bumpers were not painted, and the rear hatch paint doesn't match the rest of the car. All the accessories are original and pitted. So I just decided to get the car reassembled with the parts and replace them if they are not serviceable. I will keep you all posted on the progress. I used to work at a body shop after HS and still have some rudimentary skills with respect to assembly of the car. The motor and transmission were reportedly rebuilt and they look the part, although they look to have been done 10 years ago as reported. I decided to find a shop in NC to do the motor install when I can get the car in the Road Scholar's. Well they have a wait list that will take me to next summer so If anyone knows another place in SE North Carolina please let me know. After doing some detective work I discovered the car is not a 60 hp car but actually a 1600 Super. My good luck.




10Dec 2018Update Here are some additional pictures of the car as it continues to make progress. Motor and headliner installed. Red carpet and upholstery to come next.
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Last edited by Robert A. Olmedo on Mon Dec 10, 2018 3:48 pm, edited 3 times in total.

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Doug McDonnell
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Re: 1960 356b T5 1600 Super project

#2 Post by Doug McDonnell »

Congrats and welcome. I remember that Auction well. I actually talked to the seller but couldn't convince the Newbie I am helping look for his 1st 356 to take the chance. And being in Michigan it was too far away to look at. Is this an early single mount transmission car? Roads Scholars is one of the best shops in the country but installing the engine is easy. Get to know local 356ers and with someone who has done it before it will be a 30-60 minute job. I am not sure if you would be Mid Atlantic group or Southern owners group: http://www.mejor.com/356/356clubs.htm Looks like SOG is your group. Join and meet other 356ers near you: http://www.356sog.org
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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Robert A. Olmedo
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Re: 1960 356b T5 1600 Super project

#3 Post by Robert A. Olmedo »

I'm new to the 356 world and don't know the answer to your question about the transmission. I do know the car was manufactured on Nov 1959. Also checked and it is a 1600 Super.

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Doug McDonnell
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Re: 1960 356b T5 1600 Super project

#4 Post by Doug McDonnell »

If you have a single mount transmission it will have a torque rod connecting transmission to body like in this link: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=31715&hilit=single+ ... ansmission A short lived transmission that is associated with the Porsche script on the nose of a T5 body similar to 59A cars. The single mount was not available for some time. Now reproduced by Zim's in Texas. And here is a picture of a single mount transmission and torque tube in a car
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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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Robert A. Olmedo
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Re: 1960 356b T5 1600 Super project

#5 Post by Robert A. Olmedo »

I looked under the car and did not see this torque bar.

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Robert A. Olmedo
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Re: 1960 356b T5 1600 Super project

#6 Post by Robert A. Olmedo »

I was incorrect. It is a single mount transmission. It also has been about 8 weeks since the previous owner said he would get the extra parts to me. I've already spent 12k on many of the consumable parts. It will cost a bundle to get the drivers seat, rear seats, quarter windows and tins. I will walk away with about 75-80k spent. At least I will know it is solid.

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Robert A. Olmedo
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Re: 1960 356b T5 1600 Super project

#7 Post by Robert A. Olmedo »

Here are some pictures of the car at the beginning of the project. Will post some as this progresses.
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Jules Dielen
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Re: 1960 356b T5 1600 Super project

#8 Post by Jules Dielen »

interested to hear what they did with the engine. It should have Zeniths but these are Solex 40.. you may have a few extra HP in there to boot! Not sure what is going on with that breather (it will leave a mess in your engine bay as-is) and it looks like the carbs will need completion, but the story is incredible of course!
Jules

Water pumps are for windshield washers only.

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Doug McDonnell
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Re: 1960 356b T5 1600 Super project

#9 Post by Doug McDonnell »

Robert Since your car is a single mount trans built in 59 it should have a Porsche script on the nose below the hood like 59A cars probably. You may be able to find original mounting holes on the rear of the nose panel. viewtopic.php?f=13&t=40837&hilit=front+ ... +on+1960+B
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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Robert A. Olmedo
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Re: 1960 356b T5 1600 Super project

#10 Post by Robert A. Olmedo »

Kirby is almost completed. Just a few small pieces to finish the project. I'll keep everyone posted.

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