New member introduction - 1960 Roadster

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Vincent Chiaro
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New member introduction - 1960 Roadster

#1 Post by Vincent Chiaro »

Hi folks, I'm new to the forum and just wanted to introduce myself -- so hello!

I'm in the process of acquiring a 1960 356B Roadster from the estate of a friend who recently passed away. This is a very sentimental purchase for me and a huge honor that his heirs reached out to me about the car after his passing. We'd done Monterey Car Week together for the past 12-13 years (though never in the roadster as it's been off the road since 2002) and so having this car in the garage and driving it will be a constant reminder of our friendship.

He was the second owner and bought it in 1964 based on my conversations with him. The last registration sticker on the license plate is from 2002 (and the stack of stickers is an inch thick!). The car is all original, ruby red with a tan interior. I believe he had one engine rebuild previously done by someone recommended via Jim at EASY. (Might have been in the 80's or 90s...I'll have to search the records when I get them.)

I'm sure having been stored for so long it's going to need some work. When he was alive, he was starting it up in his warehouse every month, but it hasn't turned a wheel on the road so even if the engine is OK the brakes, tires, and suspension will all need thorough work. Since he passed, it hasn't been started for about a year. I don't plan to "restore" the car, I just want to get it mechanically sound so that I can drive it and enjoy it. I'm a huge believer that miles = smiles and that the fun of owning cars comes from actually driving them so I do hope to be able to use it.

This is the first "old car" I've had since my 1966 Mustang which I had in high school. (I graduated high school in 1997, so a 66 Mustang was old then too! My friend who passed away was ~40 years my senior.) But I'm not new to the Porsche brand as my primary car is a 2012.5 911S, which I absolutely love and us for everything from taking my kids to school, road trips, rallies, and even some track days.

Anyway, excited to learn more about these cars and participate in some events once I actually acquire the car and get it sorted out. On Monday I'm meeting with an appraiser to take a look at it and later in the month it'll get towed to a 356 specialist in Oakland, CA to get an assessment of what it needs mechanically.

I'm pretty mechanically inclined but planning to take it to an expert for initial sorting out. After that though I'll probably do the basic maintenance myself but we'll see.

Looking forward to being part of the forum.
1960 356B Roadster -- http://www.youtube.com/atypicaldriver

Vincent Chiaro
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Re: New member introduction - 1960 Roadster

#2 Post by Vincent Chiaro »

Oh I should add it's a Base/Normal 1600 roadster. Not an S90 or Super.
1960 356B Roadster -- http://www.youtube.com/atypicaldriver

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Jim Liberty
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Re: New member introduction - 1960 Roadster

#3 Post by Jim Liberty »

You've come to the right place. The guys on this Forum have a wealth of knowledge, and are ready, willing and able to help. WELCOME to the best car club in the world. ......Jim.
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Adam Wright
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Re: New member introduction - 1960 Roadster

#4 Post by Adam Wright »

Congratulations, you'll love touring in a Roadster! Post some pics.
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Jay Wiener
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Re: New member introduction - 1960 Roadster

#5 Post by Jay Wiener »

Hey Vince! I graduated high-school in 1998 and had a 66 mustang A code and a 66 vw bug! I always wanted a speedster because of Top Gun and point break! You’re gonna have a blast! I drive my 57 speedster more than my 04 turbo…. Unless it’s raining or I need a/c

Vincent Chiaro
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Re: New member introduction - 1960 Roadster

#6 Post by Vincent Chiaro »

I don't have many pictures of the car as I've only seen it once. This one was taken about 3 years ago with the former owner and my son.
Screen Shot 2022-01-15 at 8.17.20 PM.png
Screen Shot 2022-01-15 at 8.17.20 PM.png (8.4 MiB) Viewed 1613 times
1960 356B Roadster -- http://www.youtube.com/atypicaldriver

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Adam Wright
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Re: New member introduction - 1960 Roadster

#7 Post by Adam Wright »

Looks like mine when I found it.
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Scott McAdams
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Re: New member introduction - 1960 Roadster

#8 Post by Scott McAdams »

Vince, - a good looking Roadster for sure! There is a database on the registry on VIN numbers you might want to check. And you might want to get a Kardex for the car. Both will help you learn about it. It looks like your radio is mounted in the dash. My Roadster also had that originally, the original owner had it installed at the Factory after he picked the car up in Frankfurt. It will take you some time to get the car all sorted out, but it’s a fun journey and you will learn a lot. The experience available via the guys on this forum is awesome.
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Brock Tuffli
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Re: New member introduction - 1960 Roadster

#9 Post by Brock Tuffli »

Vince,
Welcome to the forum. I just (re) joined recently. I too have a 1960 roadster but i wish it was in the same shape as yours. I bought it in 1997 and started the restoration. Then life got in the way. I just recently retired and am getting back to finish what i started. Wish i hade taken better notes. If you don’t mind, i may ask a question of you from time to time on how things were on an original car. I have many books but sometimes a photo or discussion helps.
Good luck
Brock

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Re: New member introduction - 1960 Roadster

#10 Post by Brock Tuffli »

Vince,
Welcome to the forum. I just (re) joined recently. I too have a 1960 roadster but i wish it was in the same shape as yours. I bought it in 1997 and started the restoration. Then life got in the way. I just recently retired and am getting back to finish what i started. Wish i had taken better notes. If you don’t mind, i may ask a question of you from time to time on how things were on your original car. I have many books but sometimes a photo or discussion helps.
Good luck
Brock

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Martin Benade
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Re: New member introduction - 1960 Roadster

#11 Post by Martin Benade »

Happy to have you here. I think you’ll easily find answers here to replace all the untaken notes. Enjoy getting back to it. My car was in pieces for 25 years, I am so happy I kept it.
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Jon Schmid
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Re: New member introduction - 1960 Roadster

#12 Post by Jon Schmid »

Hi Vince,
Welcome to the Registry! I just "sold" my 1960 Roadster to my son in July. My dad bought it new and I had owned it since 1999 but I grew up with it. Fun cars for sure. If you don't mind, what is your chassis number? It could be very close to my ex-car's. Have fun and Good luck!!! 8)
Jon

Vincent Chiaro
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Re: New member introduction - 1960 Roadster

#13 Post by Vincent Chiaro »

Thanks for the warm welcome!

@Scott I will get the VIN number when I see the car again tomorrow. The previous owner had it memorized as I remember every time we went to the Werks show in Monterey, the Porsche NA folks would have their little kiosk where you could get a build-spec of your car and he'd walk over and casually recite the VIN. (I realize the VINs back then are a little shorter than today though!) Thanks for the tip.

As for the radio, there appears to be a blanking plate in there with some odd knobs (kitchen hardware?!) and a Tahoe Boat Show plaque. The previous owner was a judge at the Tahoe show for many years.

It'd be interesting to know if it came with a radio from the factory. My understanding is that roadsters did not. It also appears to have an ashtray under the dash where the radio blank is?

Anyway, radio is the least of my issues with the car I'm sure, haha.
Screen Shot 2022-01-16 at 9.28.20 AM.png
Screen Shot 2022-01-16 at 9.28.20 AM.png (5.51 MiB) Viewed 1514 times
1960 356B Roadster -- http://www.youtube.com/atypicaldriver

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Jon Schmid
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Re: New member introduction - 1960 Roadster

#14 Post by Jon Schmid »

Hi Vince,
A radio would have had to be a special order from the factory. See if you can get a Kardex for the car (the current COA's are worthless) to confirm. Same with the ashtray.

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Martin Benade
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Re: New member introduction - 1960 Roadster

#15 Post by Martin Benade »

Wouldn’t a factory installation be under the dash on a roadster?
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