The Official 356Talk Forum

Hi everyone, I’ve been a member for a few months and purchased our 59 cab in early Dec as a project. I’ve always wanted a 356 since I watched Top Gun in the cinema (don’t judge me!) and have always hankered for a convertible. I have rebuilt quite a few British bikes and decided to sell one to get this project car as my wife will not go on the back of the bikes and so this is something we can share together.

This is the arrival picture. It’s not been on the road for many years and the previous owner started it and had the floors etc replaced, it’s a solid original car but I don’t have the original engine. It has a 61 1600S engine in it but has the original panels, gearbox etc. I’m looking for the original engine if anyone has it it’s #71518 but I will rebuild the engine that came with it and get it on the road. It was originally Silver with I believe a red interior.

I plan on doing everything myself as I am an engineer except for the paint as I have a friend who owns a paint shop who will do a superb job for me.

I hope
You join me on the ride...

Cheers
Mark

I’ve been busy refurbishing the suspension with all new bushes etc. The steering box is rebuilt with new seals and plenty of parts painted and ready to go back on.

The body has been media stripped and needs some work but it’s nothing major and so it’s going into a rotisserie next week so the underside can be fully cleaned up ready for some welding.

The front and rear look like they have been attacked by a shotgun!!!

Mark this looks great. Enjoy the journey and the future ride.

Very cool car. I have been working on one two. What a great trip. Looks like it getting close to paint. Send your motor and transmission to Jack Moore's i just had my motor rebuild for the second time. Only had 1000 miles. If you only want once. Send it to Jack.

It’s been a while since I posted but I’m making progress. All the brakes, steering and suspension are refurbished and ready to go back on. The gearbox and drive are fully rebuilt and the engine is coming together nicely. Waiting for the heads to have new guides fitted and all the engine tin has been powder coated satin black and it looks amazing. I’m just painting the fan housing and then the engine can be finished.

The body has hit a roadblock as my body guy has struggled with manpower during COVID. I will probably be bringing the body back and finishing off the welding and myself. I will then paint the inside and the bottom just leaving the exterior for my painter. I’m hoping to get that done by the end of the year and start rebuilding.

I’m picking away at the wiring harness, repairing it as required and that’s about 75% done as is most of the electrical items.

All the chrome work is ready for pickup after 6 months and so I’m hoping to see some real progress soon.

Still looking for a low front Overider bar if anyone has one.

Thanks
Mark

Thats is a nice project, lots of fun ahead. What media was used to blast the body?

Looks good. Rubber boot on the nose of the trans should be turned around.

Thanks for the tips on the rubber, it was missing so I was not sure which way round it went and was going to figure it out when I got the body back.

We used a vapor blast and the water had a deriding agent in it. It was very gentle on the metal and did not heat the surface.

Thanks
Mark

Mark,
Congrats on the car. Looking at the pictures brings back memories, both fond and otherwise, from when I purchased my '58 cab in 1983. Very similar condition to yours, so I know you can get it done and will enjoy it immensely!
Spike

Well, first day welding in about 25 years. Got about 80% done today and time for a beer after 8 hours. I will finish next week and then I’m going to lead the imperfections (using non lead solder from Eastwood’s and then prep for paint.

Welcome to the world of the 356! You have a great project and are doing a very nice job of bringing the car back to life. Don't intend to rain on your parade but I don't think the six circular bulges on the front floor belong on a 356A. I only bring this up because you seem to be the kind of person that wants everything 100% right and now is the time to change.
Best of luck,
Jim

Great to see you started your 356 journey with a good one. Agree with Jim, the work is so good underneath that’s it’s hard to tell what is new and what is old. The dimples are a bit of a giveaway though. No be deal, but wouldn’t take much time to knock them out either.

Thanks for the input, I was checking after Jim mentioned it and everyone is correct. I will dress the dimples out prior to paint, shouldn’t be a big issue.

Thanks for pointing it out as I want it right, especially before paint!

The guy that did the floor is a Porsche expert and so he did a factory job on it. I’m just finding a few areas that need extra work.

Mark

Another successful day and the welding is finally finished. I’ll be moving onto seam sealing next but did start to do some painting. I also drilled the holes for the seatbelt mounts and dressed out the dimples in the floor with some heat.

Prepping for unsealing next and then it’s off to the painters for the top..

What a nice project and you are doing it the proper way! Thanks for sharing !
Antoine