1957 356A T1 Coupe Project

[Skip Stewart]

Hello,
This is my first post on this forum. I acquired this 356 project in April and have been working on it at a fairly steady rate. I basically have no idea what I'm doing. But this was a non-matching car, so my goal is to make it a decent resto-mod driver. Thought I would post some pics to get feedback on what I could be doing better. The car was (is) quite the rust bucket, so we will see where she ends up. Here are a few pics...

[Bill Cooper]

Welcome!
Looks like you have made a decent start, if you truly don't know what you're doing, looks like you're a fast learner. Is the car "square" in the rotisserie/frame? How are the door fits?
Is that an Aztec, Warrior or Arrow?
That looks like one of those new portable 2 post lifts, how do you like it?
Where are you located?

[Skip Stewart]

Hello Bill,
I put the car square in the rotisserie before cutting the floors out. I haven't made any type of measurements otherwise. Open to advise, although I may need to cut it back apart now if something is off.. I feel like it is pretty square. I do build airplanes...lol. The doors fit really well before I cut it all apart. I read a couple of books on 356 restorations before I started and am using the technique of using the doors as jigs. I have finished the drivers side of the car for the most part and am now skinning the entire passenger door, using the existing opening to keep the door square, and then will cut out the rocker etc.. I have a nose and rear from Trevor that I will be grafting on later. I've also replaced most of the left rear fender from one of his parts. The lift is a portable Max Jax and I love it. I'm sure the stationary ones are better, but for my needs this one has been great and is very affordable.
I have a 1964 Piper Twin Comanche, two modified Pitts S-2S's, and a Cessna 152.
Skip

[Jim Clement]

skip
what is the Vin number ? mine is 59021

[Skip Stewart]

Hello Jim,
Mine is 58474...
Is this the Jim Clement Tailwind savant??
Skip

[J Warren]

Skip,
I feel your pain. My coupe is not far off from yours.....VIN # 58661, production date 2/7/1957. Body guy had to replace both rear fenders with new ones from Trevor( the old ones had been cut for racing) and repair the tail light "upgrade" back to the original early style. Then he got sick with Covid but getting better. Slow going down in Florida.
Jesse

[Skip Stewart]

Jesse,
Looking good! I can't imagine having a project this size and having to depend on someone else to do the work. Sounds frustrating and expensive! I like the work that he's doing. I probably should have replaced my fender like he did. I'll post a few more pics. I haven't kept up with the hours I've put in, but it is easily into the several hundreds. I started in April. So far I am really enjoying it!
Skip

[Skip Stewart]

A few more pics.
Skip

IMG_3396.jpg (29.75 KiB) Viewed 1247 times

[J Warren]

Looks great. I did not feel comfortable with the body work on this one. Its going back black( black is the original color with a green interior ) and as you may know when spraying black, the body work has to be spot on. My work is not. I asked my body guy why he replaced the fenders as he did. He told me he removed the panels via the original leaded weld lines. I also replaced the floor pan in mine. It was intact without much rust( this was an Arizona car) but was weak and sort of sagged. Almost felt spongy.
Please keep posting your progress. I am now following closely as I am a bit out of my element as well and learning everything the hard way. I restored a Sunbeam Tiger a few years ago but Porsche's seem to be an animal all their own. And down here in the South, these cars are very few and far between. So not many examples locally.
Keep up the good work!
Jesse

[Skip Stewart]

Jesse,
I have been posting photos as I go to my FB page here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?van ... 0497161941
Skip

[robert moglia]

Skip, welcome aboard.
We are on the same path (and trailer)!

93550296-0032-4EF3-9C02-8DF00F93234F.jpeg (75.25 KiB) Viewed 1211 times

I started in April too,
Keep up the good work

[Skip Stewart]

Hello Bob,
Looks like a great project. Where are you located? I'm in Memphis, Tn...
Skip

[Todd R Hyatt]

Nice work Skip, I also am working on a '57 (My '57 356A "Barn Find" project). Looks like there are a few of us here doing the same project. Good Luck!!

[robert moglia]

Skip,
I’m in upstate NY, Cooperstown. My shop is an unheated barn (someone’s future barn find? I hope not!) so my repair work window is closing fast. I enjoy following other’s progress and contrast with my own (Bobs 356A project).
Keep up the posts I’m entering the winter vicarious repair stage!
Todd, yours is a relative “trailer queen”! Lol

[Skip Stewart]

Todd,Your car looks great! Just needs a tune-up. Should be driving her this weekend! lol..
Bob, bummer about the unheated shop. It's hard enough to find the time to work without having to deal with weather to boot. I'm lucky that my hangar has heat and ac, now if I could just get enough time off work to work....ugh..
Please post your progress! I'll do the same.
Thanks,
Skip