1956 356A engine compartment upholstery

[Brett Johnson]

The latest car I have recorded with the vinyl engine compartment upholstery as used in earlier cars is #55290 with the first car without being #56020. Can anyone supply additional data points or cabriolet numbers?

[Gary Thies]

Brett,

My 1956 coupe, Jan 56', # 55547, did not have upholstery in the engine compartment..

Gary Thies

[Brett Johnson]

Thanks for the data point! Sorry to be a pest -- but early T 1 cars are lots of fun:
Does it have undercoated lids?
How many drains in the battery floor?
Does it have front frame strut reinforcements?

[Joris Koning]

Brett,

#55820, no upholstery. It did have undercoated lids, single drain. Strut reinforcements I will have to check. I have to agree, early '56 cars are a ton of fun.

[Gary Thies]

Brett,

My 56' has no undercoating on the lids, but has been restored. I have an unsual pre-a decklid, with the flat pan..This is an early T1..some 55' dated parts..window regulators, seat hinges..
Will look for the drain holes, not clear on what to look for regarding the reinforcements..

Gary T.
56' coupe
64' coupe
(62' Tr3b)

[Brett Johnson]

Gary, if it is an early car, it will probably look about like my '55 from this angle. Is your rear lid number stamped? if so, I'd be interested in photos and chassis number information. Also interested in battery compartment floor drains on any T 1 flat battery floor car.

[Joris Koning]

Brett, #55820 does not have the reinforcements and has the holes for the early style brake line routing

[Gary Thies]

Brett,

My car looks like the photo, near as I can tell..

The lid is stamped 51", which is off 4 cars from my 55547 serial number..unfortunately..

The batt box has not been replaced, but is patched with fiberglass, so cannot see holes..
Also, no center rib..

Gary Thies

[James Davies]

Coupe 55353 has textured tar paper on the engine firewall (not upholstery).

Coupe 55596 also has the textured tar paper (no upholstery).

Both cars are unrestored, original interior, original engine cars.

[william henry]

55180 no upholstery, will check on the rest when I get home