Battery Cover

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Ronald Sieber
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Battery Cover

#1 Post by Ronald Sieber »

This battery cover came with my 57 a model but is not appropriate, so I will probably sell it and get a fiberboard one, which apparently was used after 1956.

I'm writing to ask for what years this metal cover with tabs would have been appropriate? As seen in photo 6, it has metal tabs on the inside and rubber strips were riveted to the tabs. Brett Johnson opines that they were appropriate to at least 1954-55, but did they come earlier or later? And what specific dates?

Another question: when did the covers with wooden blocks get discontinued? This might help pinpoint the years on the metal cover with tabs.
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James Davies
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Re: Battery Cover

#2 Post by James Davies »

This battery cover was used on all bent-window coupes and cabs. They had the 86 Ah battery. The covers with wooden blocks were used concurrently on Speedsters, which had the smaller 75 Ah battery. The blocks served as spacers for the smaller battery.

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Ronald Sieber
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Re: Battery Cover

#3 Post by Ronald Sieber »

James:

Thanks for that clarification.

Now, for the historical record, what would have been the date ranges for the two covers?

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James Davies
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Re: Battery Cover

#4 Post by James Davies »

All bent-window cars had them. So ~May 1952 through ~Sep 1955. Perhaps some of these metal covers made it onto the first 356A cars as well? I don't know.

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Re: Battery Cover

#5 Post by Brad Ripley »

Also, see discussion and photos in Johnson's latest book, pages 95-96.

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Donald Zingg
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Re: Battery Cover

#6 Post by Donald Zingg »

356 vs. early 356A - - - -

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Greg Newton
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Re: Battery Cover

#7 Post by Greg Newton »

Great info above as always guys.
I would be interested in fabricating new steel pre-A battery covers.
I don't have an original to copy, but if someone would like to send me one, even if it was rusty, I would be able to fabricate the tooling and produce new ones.
A free replacement battery cover or any other panel I make of similar value sent back to anyone who would like to assist in supplying an original sample.
Regards, Greg.

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Greg Newton
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Re: Battery Cover

#8 Post by Greg Newton »

The above request has been arranged with another member. Thanks to all that were prepared to help.
Greg Newton.

Kent Malone
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Re: Battery Cover

#9 Post by Kent Malone »

My '55 Continental has a fiberboard box. Does this metal battery box emulate the original well? It seems to, but the experts often see subtle details that elude me. It's pricey!

I'd prefer to find an original.

Battery Cover (Steel) - 356 Pre A - PRS 356 - Porsche 356 Parts and Services

https://www.prs356.co.uk/porsche-356-pa ... ery-cover/

Matt Lantz
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Re: Battery Cover

#10 Post by Matt Lantz »

Kent Malone wrote: Mon Dec 12, 2022 12:23 am My '55 Continental has a fiberboard box. Does this metal battery box emulate the original well? It seems to, but the experts often see subtle details that elude me. It's pricey!

I'd prefer to find an original.

Battery Cover (Steel) - 356 Pre A - PRS 356 - Porsche 356 Parts and Services

https://www.prs356.co.uk/porsche-356-pa ... ery-cover/
I bought this exact one for my 1953 and I think it is a very nice reproduction. I didn't have an original one to compare it to but the build quality of this part is great and it fit perfectly.

Kent Malone
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Re: Battery Cover

#11 Post by Kent Malone »

Matt Lantz wrote: Wed Dec 14, 2022 12:40 am
Kent Malone wrote: Mon Dec 12, 2022 12:23 am
Battery Cover (Steel) - 356 Pre A - PRS 356 - Porsche 356 Parts and Services

https://www.prs356.co.uk/porsche-356-pa ... ery-cover/
I bought this exact one for my 1953 and I think it is a very nice reproduction. I didn't have an original one to compare it to but the build quality of this part is great and it fit perfectly.
Thanks for the feedback, Matt

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Ronald Sieber
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Re: Battery Cover

#12 Post by Ronald Sieber »

Kent:

Were you looking for images and/or dimensions for a fiber cover example? If so, I think that I can get you some on that from a 1957 and also an early 1958. I don't imagine that they changed them much in the A's.

=rdsieber

Kent Malone
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Re: Battery Cover

#13 Post by Kent Malone »

Ronald Sieber wrote: Sun Dec 18, 2022 3:07 pm Kent:

Were you looking for images and/or dimensions for a fiber cover example? If so, I think that I can get you some on that from a 1957 and also an early 1958. I don't imagine that they changed them much in the A's.

=rdsieber
Ronald,

Thanks for your offer. I discovered that my battery cover (April 1955) should actually be metal. The fiber board cover was put on because it was easy to acquire when the car was restored in 1989. It was a REALLY good restoration for it not intended to be a "concourse" restoration. Since I bought the car, I've been replacing some of the "incorrect" parts as I find the correct-for-1955 parts. Very nice reproduction metal covers are available now, so I will go that route.

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Greg Newton
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Re: Battery Cover

#14 Post by Greg Newton »

Thank you Tony Proasi for sending me a good quality original battery cover to sample and make patterns and tooling from.
Early and late Pre-A Battery Covers and now available on my website if anyone is interested.

Regards, Greg Newton.
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