`54 hood handles

[Bil Brown]

I`m trying to find the change from the `54 Speedster 'round nose" hood handle to the more pointed handle. My 54 Speedster #80100 had its original round-nose handle. I picked up one of the second versions of the late Pre/A/early A handle with pointed nose, without rib and with a 5 digit number "17366" on the backside near the nose. When was this handle change made and when did this handle get replaced by the ribbed 356/356A handle?.......Brett.....any input?

[Spencer Harris]

I`m trying to find the change from the `54 Speedster 'round nose" hood handle to the more pointed handle.

According to Brett's research for Authenticity IV the forging was revised from blunt-nose to pointy-nose in April of 1955. My '55 coupe (53449, Hoffman, May 10, 1955) had the blunt-nose version - which I'm sure they used until they ran out. Several differences in the crest on the blunt-nose handles: bold Porsche lettering; no R on the back and no gold plating. I'm not sure when the reinforcement ridge came about.

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[James Davies]

The reinforced ridge started to be used when 356A cars went into production (shortly after). These handles had a new badge as well.

You can always tell the pre-A handles. They are always twisted or wavy. It's no wonder they put a strengthening ridge in for the 356A. Also, they all had that same 5-digit number on the underside, blunt and pointed. Same supplier, same mold.