Dean Jeffries' Kustom Karrera...First 356 Outlaw

For those who couldn't care less how their 356 left the factory!
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lee raskin
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Dean Jeffries' Kustom Karrera...First 356 Outlaw

#1 Post by lee raskin »

PORSCHE 356 REGISTRY -- Through The Rear View Mirror
Coming up in the September / October issue of the 356 Registry... a feature article about the "Kustom Karrera" 1956 Porsche coupe (the first 'Outlaw 356 Porsche) built by Dean Jeffries. Exclusive photos of the Kustom Karrera are provided by renowned photographer Larry Chen. You won't want to miss it! Photos: Dean Jeffries/Lee Raskin collection, 2004.
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George Kehler
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Re: Dean Jeffries' Kustom Karrera...First 356 Outlaw

#2 Post by George Kehler »

Looking forward to your article, Lee !!
George Kehler II

1955 Coupe
1971 911 S
1997 993 Targa

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Harlan Halsey
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Re: Dean Jeffries' Kustom Karrera...First 356 Outlaw

#3 Post by Harlan Halsey »

Rather more successful treatment of the rear than of the front. Although single outlet exhaust, a recessed license plate, and a twin grille deck lid would, in my opinion, be further improvements.

Richard Emerson
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Re: Dean Jeffries' Kustom Karrera...First 356 Outlaw

#4 Post by Richard Emerson »

Harlan Halsey wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2020 1:40 am Rather more successful treatment of the rear than of the front. Although single outlet exhaust, a recessed license plate, and a twin grille deck lid would, in my opinion, be further improvements.
Recessed plate would be great!

I also think the brake lights need to ge talker yo balance the car better.

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Jack Walter
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Re: Dean Jeffries' Kustom Karrera...First 356 Outlaw

#5 Post by Jack Walter »

Looking forward to Lee Raskin applying his expertise to detailing the history of Dean Jeffries Carrera - the rear tail lights were inspired by those on the 300SL Gullwing that also provided the idea for the roof vents.
The hand made grill is a true work of art - it was one of my favorite details on the car. Every corner was filled and the vertical bars were all brought to a fine point. I asked Dean once how long it took him to make the grille and his answer was "a long time".
Dean built this car in 1957 - long before the twin grill rear deck lid existed. Instead he incorporated a scoop to force more air into the engine compartment.

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Jack Walter
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Re: Dean Jeffries' Kustom Karrera...First 356 Outlaw

#6 Post by Jack Walter »

Lee did a really nice job on the article - there were only two glaring mistakes (can't help myself - sorry Lee).
Somehow there was an article published in one of the magazines in the 1950's claiming the front end was rolled out of aluminum - its all steel as this shot from 2007 shows.
The light grey areas are where Bill Hines applied the lead to smooth out where the fender extensions were welded on. A you can see the front fenders were cut just forward of the front wheel wells.
The other is that I first saw the car in front of my best friends parents house in the north Atlanta suburbs - his older sister was visiting from her apartment in downtown Atlanta and she had just bought it the week before.
I walked around the Porsche about three times out in the driveway before going in - Peggy knew I loved Porsches and when she asked what I thought of her "new" car my immediate reaction was to say "sell it to me."
It took me almost a year to pry it away from her but I finally did when she was raising the money for a trip to Nepal and Katmandu. I was 19 years old when I bought the car for $1100 - my dad thought I was nuts - but I owned a Porsche!!!

That ugly patch in the middle of the nose is where some real hack work was done by a bodyshop in Marietta where I had the nose "fixed" soon after I bought the Porsche. Lots and lots of Bondo....

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Jay Wiener
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Re: Dean Jeffries' Kustom Karrera...First 356 Outlaw

#7 Post by Jay Wiener »

And now back in Los Angeles and back on the show scene!

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Mike Wilson
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Re: Dean Jeffries' Kustom Karrera...First 356 Outlaw

#8 Post by Mike Wilson »

Congrats, Jay! You and your father and brother have some excellent cars.

All the best,

Mike
Mike Wilson
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Dan Macdonald
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Re: Dean Jeffries' Kustom Karrera...First 356 Outlaw

#9 Post by Dan Macdonald »

Jay,
I hope the Kustom Karrera makes it to the West Coast Holiday next year!
Love to see it in person.
Dan Macdonald 
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Jay Wiener
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Re: Dean Jeffries' Kustom Karrera...First 356 Outlaw

#10 Post by Jay Wiener »

Hey Mike! I haven't seen you since you were at Ed's probably 7 years ago? Hope all is well.

Hi Dan, I hope to be there as well! If nothing else, I'll be at Dana Point

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