Starting handle access port

For those who obsess about exactly how their 356 left the factory!
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David Jones
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Starting handle access port

#1 Post by David Jones »

When was the flap over the access port eliminated? I believe the rear shroud on my 59 coupe built in Dec 58 still has it's original shroud and it has the flap which is spot welded closed. Did the early 356 come with a starter handle like the early VW bug. I had a 51 bug when based in Germany in the early 60's and that still had the starter handle in the trunk and it had the pulley nut cast to take the starter handle. I actually used it a few times in the first and only winter I owned that car.
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Mike Wilson
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Re: Starting handle access port

#2 Post by Mike Wilson »

Would the rear tin with flap have been used for industrial engines? I haven't seen a hole for the crank on a 356.

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Jan Kolm
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Re: Starting handle access port

#3 Post by Jan Kolm »

Type 2 VWs had a hand crank in the toolkit until 29 August 1958, so leftover Type 2 rear tin was used on 356s until stocks were exhausted.
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David Jones
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Re: Starting handle access port

#4 Post by David Jones »

Anyone have a T5 or even a T6 with the welded flap?
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Vic Skirmants
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Re: Starting handle access port

#5 Post by Vic Skirmants »

I'm pretty sure I have seen very early T5s with the flap. As mentioned, it was a modified VW part, so Porsche used what was available. Kind of like the fan shroud; VW added a center depression to clear their new air cleaners, so Porsche got that.
And of course Porsche did not punch any holes in the rear body work to facilitate the use of a starting handle. :P

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David Jones
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Re: Starting handle access port

#6 Post by David Jones »

Thanks for the replies, I can now drive around in my 59 without worrying if my rear tin is correct. I will not get a ticket from the authenticity police for that item at least. My car is edging closer to 100% authentic if you discount the safety features, new reproduction parts and cosmetic and power enhancements. Still looks stock though. The hubcaps though stock I know are not correct for a normal.
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Alan Hall
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Re: Starting handle access port

#7 Post by Alan Hall »

I asked this question a couple of years ago and had responses that the VW crank provision was eliminated in October of '58 so the tin would have changed sometime after that. The latest response of a car with the spot welded flap was 7/59 and earliest w/o flap was 3/60. (Obviously did not get a lot of responses!)

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Re: Starting handle access port

#8 Post by Trevor Gates »

Vic Skirmants wrote: Tue Sep 01, 2020 8:00 amAnd of course Porsche did not punch any holes in the rear body work to facilitate the use of a starting handle. :P
Correct. However... I have seen pictures of what I would call a non-factory adaptation.
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Re: Starting handle access port

#9 Post by James Davies »

David Jones wrote: Mon Aug 31, 2020 3:06 pm Did the early 356 come with a starter handle like the early VW bug. I had a 51 bug when based in Germany in the early 60's and that still had the starter handle in the trunk and it had the pulley nut cast to take the starter handle. I actually used it a few times in the first and only winter I owned that car.
No, the flap was always welded shut, even on pre-As. The flap was simply a byproduct of the fact that Porsche (or the supplier) started with the VW tin and modified the two ends to fit the wider hole and added a channel for the rubber seal attached to the tin.

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