Coupe to Speedster Conversion
 

Has anyone attempted a 356 Coupe to Speedster Conversion? Is this possible?

The rear clip on a Speedster is much different from a Coupe.
While you could certain chop the top off a coupe and "create" some kind of 356 convertible, what you'd be left with would not be a Speedster.
And it certainly wouldn't be worth what the coupe was before you messed with it.
Want a Speedster? Build a replica and save yourself $100K.

it would be a horible mistake, and would cost a fortune to do it properly (especially in body work and reinforcing the body since the roof of a coup is structurally integral (sp) to its design, where as a speedster has a different set up in structural design). after you did it, the value wouldnt be worth it either, as your very valuable coup would be less than it normally would, and wouldnt reach a fraction of a speedsters value.

if you want a speedster it would be less expensive to just buy a speedster in this case, and even cheeper to buy a replica speedster.

A Coupe cannot be converted to a Cab, Roadster or Speedster... I wouldn't do that, but a Karmann Hardtop (Notchback) can be converted to a Cab... and if you want to do so... get one that is already chopped:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsc...spagenameZWDVW

Freddy

Ha! that is my old '61. I did the "surgery" on it. That was my original intent was to make it an outlaw Speedster. That car is a great candidate for it. I just got too consumed in my coupe and other projects.

First, I want to stress that I am not trying to flame anyone. I am still new to 356s and am trying to learn as much as I can. Also, I DO NOT advocate chopping a perfectly good coupe. I'd reserve this option for cars who have had their roofs seriously compromised. However, this topic is of specific interest to me given the "mongrel' sitting in my driveway...

I'm curious about this as I have studied the parts drawings and see no discernible difference in the chassis design between coupe, cab and Speedster. (I will qualify this to say I have only studied the "A" parts diagrams.) I also don't see any obvious stiffener elements employed in either the cab or Speedster. What might I be missing?

One thing I've learned in life is never say "never" so I am curious about the absoluteness of this statement. Quite a few have been done with mixed aesthetic results. The one in my driveway is one of the less fortunate ones as the "sculptor" didn't stop with the top -- he also added gaudy "wide-body" flares front and rear.

However, in Excellence #59 (February 1996) there's a fun article about Steve Schmidt's (proprietor of Honest Engine) "Coupester". That car had been rolled and rather than scrap it, Dick Coyne (a Porsche indy in Santa Monica) chopped it and made it a racer. He club-raced it for a few years, then sold it to Jeff Scott who raced it in SCCA "E". He in turn sold it to Steve who raced it for years (maybe still does?). This car looks great, even in the grid with a line of real Speedsters. The article discusses this conversion to some degree and there's no mention of significant mods needed to stiffen the car and, well, Steve and the gentlemen before him, raced it pretty hard. So, I have to assume that the structural integrity wasn't compromised.

BTW, I've adopted the "Coupester" moniker for my mongrel. I came up with the word before learning of Steve's car -- I thought I was so clever! I plan to remove the steel wheel flares and return the side profile to stock. I'm thinking of having gold "Coupester" emblems made up in the "Speedster" font to place on the front fenders. Just a little good-natured tweak to the numbers-matching folks.

I've started a rudimentary website about my mongrel if anyone is interested: www.356coupester.com

Jonesn,
- doing any major chassis / body work on a 356 "properly" is a major undertaking - meaning research, thought & esp $$$s in parts & labor. that's just the way it is, unless you define properly differently from the norm among 356 experts.
- body panels among 356s, even though they have the same (or very similar) unibody chassis, are often not interchangable... there are numerous subtle (& not-so-subtle) differences. when you examine many 356s closely, all at the same place & time, this becomes evident. it is a good reason to go to 356 registry events. so, strictly, I suppose a near-perfect conversion might be achievable, but it will not yield a car that isn't fundamentally what it started out as from the factory. semantics plays a role here.
- when you install a rollcage in a race car, it becomes much stiffer, if done correctly.

a project like you have taken on can be a great education (for everyone, not only the owner) and accomplishment. have fun & best of luck.

I am currently restoring a speedster and have also restored previously a 1957 cabriolet and a 1953 coupe and a 1965 SC coupe. I have not seen any additonal reinforcements for the open cars compared to the coupes. There are some differences in the shapes of the panels but not in the number of panels. The difference in shape is do to the difference in vehicle design not in the intended structuyral load. If the cars lower half is structurally sound there is no reason you could not cut off the roof and still have a rigid car whose doors will shut properly every time. The key is haveing good non rusted longitudinals and door pillars. If there is any integrity loss in any of those areas you are sure to see a sagging body.
Just my .02 cents
JIM

Not at All Impractical...
 

It not only CAN be done, it is being done right now by a very talented Porsche restorer in Rockford, MI. I believe he has sent jturbo a PM or direct e-mail regarding his project. I cannot recall if he started with an A or a B coupe, but he is at a point now where the car is close to being ready for paint, and it not only looks like a Speedster... it is all "Porsche" in content. No, he's not trying to pass it off as the real thing, he's just building himself a beautiful "extreme outlaw" that happens to look like a Speedster.

by now he should have some pics?????

Outlaw Progress Photos
 

If you were within millimeters of Scarlett Johansson you would be close enough for practical purposes. The dimensions of this outlaw are within millimeters of the factory, therefore....?

I agree. Horrible Thought!

Old heap, regardless of right or wrong............lovely work. Please continue to post pix.

It would be easier to "turbo your NA"

Old Heap, awesome work! Thanks for posting the pics -- but, they must be photoshopped since the 'experts' say it's impossible. :rolleyes:

Can you email me?

"Old Heap" has [B]not[/B] produced a "convertible coupe." I've seen it and it is 100% Porsche... 100% Outlaw and totally Speedster in its form. No photo shop work here. It is the ultimate outlaw, in my humble opinion. He is a very talented guy and the finished car will be stunning.

Just BEAUTIFUL work ! ! ! That "Speedster" just looks wonderful, especially in that shade of silver.

PLEASE post more pictures as soon as you can. Congratulations on some exceptionally well done craftsmanship and artistry.

TC

I love it when someone says don't do it. I'm seriously thinking about doing the same thing to my car. I will be retired in 7 months so I have the rest of my life to get it right.

More pics please!

Not too much new to show you, the finish cured for about a month before color sanding and polishing. But now, the final assembly is finally beginning.

Engine Inventory by the "Maestro" from West Michigan
 

I'll take the one one the left! My 912, almost ready to go.

Wow, looking very nice there. I'm all for pissing off the purists and curmudgeons. What all have you done to the motor? And why are you going with carbs instead of EFI?

Thanks for sharing the pics Dude! Love your work, keep up the good work. Post some pics when you're done. Can't wait to see that Coupe.











_______________________
I want chevy truck parts on my birthday!

Old Heap nice work.

Old Heap, where are you man... Jeez , post some more!!!

Old Heap, awesome pics. Very nice work! Stick it to the purists and naysayers!! I m looking forward to seeing the pics of the completed project.

Some truly great pics here, can't wait for an update!

:corn:

I don't know about everyone else, but I'd love to see some updated pics on Old Heap's project, its been awhile.

Your car is absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing the shots. The silver makes it look like it was carved from a silver ingot.

Assembly Progress
 

It's always slow going with a unique project, a lot of unknowns are still out there to be discovered and resolved. But here is where I'm at.

The steering wheel is a combination of a stock 356A hub from a trashed wheel and an aluminum circle track sprint car wheel.

Homemade stainless fuel tank straps, and aluminum driving light brackets.
No bumpers planned.

WOW! I don't know what else to say...apart from 'MORE, MORE!!!!!!!"

Thanks so much for the updated pictures! Brilliant stuff!

great craftwork!
I'm curious about the sw spoke position blocking view of the tach...
(I'd rotate 180 degrees, but... it isn't my project!)
best of luck as you near completion.

Steering Wheel Position
 

You are right about it's position obstructing the tach, but it is also more comfortable when driving with your hands at 2:00 and 10:00. I used this illustration by Jay Koka, which I have, as inspiration. An easy change if the engine builder insists.

Wow, absolutely incredible....

indeed! of course, in that example, the factory moved the tach.
maybe a rev limiter will soothe the engine-man's nerves...
here're a coupla spyders...

Holy Crap....I love it

Old Heap, that's awesome.

Just a tease, awaiting the final reveal in all its glory! More More!

356
 

Friend of mine here in canada has a convertible D rear skin with clean title, matching engine, doors and transmission. (rest of body rusted away years ago)

He also has a coupe donor body.

He is selling his restored 1965 356 C coupe to do the project.

Anybody looking for a good driver 356 or possible club racer for a good deal??

I helped build the 356C and would like to see it go to a new home so i can help with the D project.

I especially appreciated the before & after pics of the rear cowl. I have never had such a good look at the differences. Then I thought, "Why not use a C rear lid?" (I'm finishing resto on a Roadster, and beginning to worry about cooling of an SC-big bore engine.) Now the only problem I see is that it is so perfect that it will look like a real one.

was this project ever finished?

Yes. Send a PM to "Old Heap" and he might respond. Beautiful car!

Outlaw complete
 

Certainly was, and what a great thing it ended up being. Love the exhaust note.


http://www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/...t%204-Cylinder

Just an FYI: There is a severely rusty donor coupe being built into a Speedster here: http://www.abcgt.com/forum/14-356-Re...r-Project.html
Byron

Thanks for the interesting pictures!

For anyone still interested in this conversion:
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...e02a73b8a6.jpg

Coupster project Update: http://www.abcgt.com/forum/14-356-Re...tart=522#22193

Thanks Byron-

The guy actually finished the conversion metal work. Such a big job I didn't think he was ever going to get it done.https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...7407b97792.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...259a56b7e2.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...63ef619d65.jpg
A bunch more photos here: http://www.abcgt.com/forum/14-356-Re...t=6&start=1464
Another coupe converted to a Speedster.