'59 Coupe wrong details

[George Krompecher]

As I wait for the engine to be finished and installed, I have started inspecting the car for details and minutiae. The are LOTS wrong, to the point that I think the people who worked on the car were either incompetent, dishonest or limited by an inexistant budget.
I would welcome any and all criticism on the pictures posted below, as I will strive to rectify most irregularities.

[George Krompecher]

Further pictures:

[Martin Benade]

I still like it. It may have been redone back when it was a $12,000 car, to a different standard. Obviously not freshly restored. I’d add the various rubber pieces on the doors, a hood seal, and clean up the headlight area wiring. Then just drive it and enjoy.

[George Krompecher]

Thank you, Martin, I like it quite a lot myself. There are questions though:
-There should be additional rubber seals on the inner side of the door, front and rear edge, correct? There are screw holes in the doors.
-Any reference for the round door plugs, front upper inner corner?
-There are 2 references for the inner light contacts in the door hinge, does the ’59 take one with one or 2 wires? I’d guess 1 wire?
-Philips or slotted screw heads for the rear lid grille?
-Are the front blinkers correct, or should they have a higher footing?
-Front lid seal goes on the outermost ledge?
-Interior lights correct?

[Cliff Murray]

Unless you paid $150,000 sight unseen with assurances that it was beautifully finished I don't see any reason to complain. To get a better car you needed to pay more. Since you are picky you should have found a more expensive car that you would have been happier with, ultimately saving money. At this point you can learn to enjoy the car as is or start a serious restoration.

[Peter Silten]

What are you trying to accomplish?

[Dick Roth]

Spot on, Peter. The objective really has to drive the decision making.

[George Krompecher]

I think you are getting me wrong.
I did NOT overpay for the car, nor did I have any unreasonable expectancies, or felt cheated. Not one second.

Objective: This is my 10th Porsche, first 356. I have rebuilt 2 from naked shells, had rare ones, fast ones nice ones, driven ones, garage queens. My objective is first to drive it, then to bring it closer to original, but by using my means wisely.
For instance, I will switch to a double circuit master cylinder, because I live in the Alps (you know, 4500ft descent in 7 miles). I will re-fit the missing door seals, to have a quiet ride, the front lid seal to keep its insides clean. I will refit 4.5" rims because the 5.5" on it now are badly pitted and rub in front.

But Cliff, I am not complaining, don't read me wrong. I bought it knowing its condition, and have zero regrets; as making it better is part of the process or ownership to me. For instance I spent today removing black paint from the fuel cap and fuel level sender/wires. Looks tons better.

Peter, Dick, the decision making is clear in my head, and I am hoping that my naive questions about a model that I don't know as well as I know 911s will get answers, not second guessing about my intentions.

Cheers all.

[Peter Silten]

If you are interested in knowing the correct details of your car, I suggest that you purchase a copy of Neil's Book, which documents all of the correct details of a 1958 coupe, a car very similar to yours. It should answer all of your questions. It is sold by Stoddard/NLA and other vendors: http://www.nlaparts.com/store/neils-boo ... 17042.html

[George Krompecher]

Already have it, but it does not tell me whether my differing front blinkers and interior lights are correct, albeit different from the ones in Neil's book.

[Peter Silten]

The from blinkers (turn signals) are not correct. Here is a Registry article on the subject: https://porsche356registry.org/article/233

[George Krompecher]

Many thanks. SWF 2665 seems to be what I am looking for then. No hurry as I have working blinkers already.

[Dick Roth]

I can tell you unequivocally that the front blinkers are incorrect as they are from an earlier car. The interesting thing about the 59 is that that some of them had the so called wedge under the blinker type that you see in your photos, but most of them had a slightly later model which is somewhat like what was standard on the 356B. The lens was twist on.
My 59 coupe did not have an internal adjustable rear view mirror.
The screws on the rear grill are slotted, not Philips head.
There should be a rubber grommet, or spacer under the two sides of the aluminum wedge that holds the rear reflectors.
The seat rails screwed to the body have correct slotted screws but they are beaten up.
The glove box door rubber bumpers on the body are missing.
Body builders plate and paint code plate are missing from hinge cover panel inside driver's door. Holes are there.
The best source for information on these details is Dr. Brett Johnson's authenticity book recently republished in a more expanded version. It's complete with photos of many of these nuances.
Needless to say all gaskets should be replaced.
Check out the Sierra Madre site. They seem to have the smallest little parts, many of which are of the type you need.

[George Krompecher]

Dick,
I'll be also looking for Brett Johnson's book.
This is the fun for me, learning how to find my way around a new project, then making the car safer, better and more correct.
George

[Dick Roth]

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Some photos and source for Dr. Johnsons book