Fin Fever

I am mostly on the 997 board, but I thought I would post up this pic of the 356 that my friend just got from his dad. I think his dad has owned it for about 45 years or so. It looks like a pretty clean example to me. Original paint! He was thinking about repainting it to make it look newer, but I advised him to keep the original paint.

Jay Gratton

Don't paint it! You can restore a car, but you can't un-restore a car.

matt777

+1. I think survivors are much more attractive than restored cars. IMHO much of the character is lost during a restoration.

89826

An original paint Speedster! Good lord, don't mess with it. The paint looks very nice as it is, and much can be done to recondition it.

Where are you? There are only a few shops to trust that gem with.

Painting that car could easily reduce its value by $50,000.

Edit: I just saw you are in Seal Beach. An absolutely top-notch 356 shop is John Wilhoit's in Long Beach. It is called WAR, for Wilhoit's Auto Restorations.

Jay Gratton

I would love to see you post more pictures of it. Sounds like a great car.

Fin Fever

I just got the one picture which he emailed to me. He used to live in Carlsbad, but he recently moved to the Tahoe area. I encouraged him to Join Rennlist, and I told him that I posted that one pic. I am sure that any day now we will see him log in and post up something. Hopefully he gives us some more pics. btw if he ever decides to sell, he already gave me first dibs on his car.

Steve Jensen

He also needs to join the 356 Registry...

Carcam

That little girl says it all- 2 thumbs up!

hacker-pschorr

I think she's saying "When I'm 16 this baby is all mine!!!"

Another vote to leave it alone. Too many classic cars are being over restored. Every vintage car doesn't have to be "perfect".

Just keep it running and enjoy.

RJT

That's my kind of kid!!



Please tell him not to paint it if it is indeed the original paint. If he feels he has to do something tell him to redo the seats, but do not touch the paint. From the picture, it looks to be in great condition. If it's already been repainted then he can do what he wants, but original? Let it be. No plastic surgery required. He's a lucky man.

MUSSBERGER

Good things happen to he who waits

matthaus

i just signed up on Rennlist thanks to my buddy "Fin Fever". Now i can get some good advice from folks that know a lot more than me. The car is a 1955 speedster that my father (from Calw Germany - 50 min from Stuttgart) kept in his garage for +35 years in Santa Rosa. I just moved to El Dorado Hills and if you know of anyone in the area that can help with a tune up, new brakes and possible clutch. i won't paint it! i also need some new tires and any advice would greatly help. Thanks for all the nice notes.

matthaus

Fin Fever

glad to see you on the site Matt! you are sure to get some great advice here.

jcnesq

Welcome and congratulations on coming into ownership of a real GEM of a car.

Absolutely join the 356 Registry. Best $35/year you could spend anywhere. The Registry is the finest collection of information on 356s anywhere. Great magazine. But you can access a lot of info even without being a member. http://porsche356registry.org/ Go to the Tech Info tab and that will lead you to a wealth of information (including tires).

Be careful finding a wrench; its worth a drive for a good one. I suggest you call Jim the owner of EASY Porsche (parts sales and dismantlers), super friendly guy, super knowledgeable, and super trustworthy.
http://porsche356registry.org/ He undoubtedly can give you a few good recommendations for wrenches as close as possible to you.

racer

Congrats first off! What a great family heirloom! As fanatics, we'd love to hear more about the car and more pics too! My dad also had a '55 Speedster for many years. Fun times!