Finally got my Pre A Speedster blasted on the weekend. Amazing condition, not a single piece of rust. Just some bog which will be soon rectified

Bah, where's the challenge in that? You've got it easy...

Great looking car,

No rust? Looks like the whole front end rusted off to me

Just joking..... car looks to be in awesome shape.

Hey Mike, the front was removed to allow better access. looks like the car had a front damage at some stage in its life which was repaired but not to my satisfaction. Decided it was a lot easier to remove the front so we can fix the damage to the battery area properly

"Hey Mike, the front was removed to allow better access. looks like
the car had a front damage at some stage in its life which was
repaired but not to my satisfaction. Decided it was a lot easier to
remove the front so we can fix the damage to the battery area
properly"

And the floor?
Thanks,
Ron LaDow

Post generated using Mail2Forum via email.

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The section behind the driver's seat was thin. Bought a whole replacement floor but decided to keep as much of the original floors as possible and just repair the thin area. So floors were removed to make sure the repair is done correctly and we have 100% access for repairs and blasting. Also allowed access to the inside of the tunnel

Mike, "awesome shape" would not include a new front, floor section or the need to access to the inside of the tunnel by removal of the whole floor. As this posting proves, there is no such thing as a 100% rust-free 356. There is some rust, somewhere, from the day it was made because OF the way it was made. Some are just better at hiding it longer than others for whatever reasons and some 356s display it 'in your face' much sooner. After 55 years, this 356 is one of the lucky ones, but not "no rust."

Is Rafik's better than a usual resto candidate today? Absolutely! Best of luck with the project.

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Not using a new front, same original one. Here it is before blasting

The detached front's condition, limited number of welds on both the under-seal edge of the shell and the replacement 'nose' and the headlight bucket brace and wiring conduit attachment areas tell the tale that the original front sheetmetal was worse than the damage still evident on the rear and was not reused.........still, don't get me wrong, a great car to restore.

I like to say, 'give me collision damage or rust, just please don't give me both (to restore).'

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Dang Bruce your harsh....I was being positive...being nice hahahaha
But being from the south I stand behind what I said....awesome restorable shape.

Hi Rafik!
Good news, huh! Told you so! A whole different experience from your "D".

For the others, I have to crow about this on Rafik's behalf. I owned this car before him, and I thought it was a real sweetie. As nice and solid as a 55 year old un-restored Porsche can be. Cowl, rockers, ledges, floors, tunnel, jambs, longitudinals, rear inners, etc. were just gorgeous. The doors almost brought tears of joy to me eyes when I looked inside them! This car was taken off the road off the road and stored indoors in S. California back when Nixon was still in his first term. They should all be so solid!

Would have been very easy to make a few minor patches and have it on the road in a couple of weekends. That would have been my path (take the easy way!). But clearly Rafik has chosen to go about things very thoroughly and patiently, and he will have a superb car when done. Will look forward to seeing the final product.

Rafik, I've regretted selling it every day since!

DG

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David Gensler

Good to hear from you David. Don't regret it, this baby is getting pampered and if all goes according to plan, will be on the road "soon". All parts needed are just waiting patiently for the tub to be ready
It made its first apperance on Aussie soil during last year's National 356 Parade and everyone loved it. I am hoping that the panel work will be finished by the next Parade (last week of Nov) so I can take it for people to see the before and after
Fingers crossed

Wow, two blows in one day. First the hit for being behind the "Orange curtain" in the YOM post,, then the Nixon reference (remember where the 'Western White House was?). Wonder where that car sat while I was dodging the draft.

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Maybe a nice car , when its put back together , but it is rusty , was rusty and always will have been , rusty ! i have had good and bad , but wont confuse the two , and think that the description of this car and post is wrong , Barry Brisco headmaster scolding wrong . If need be , i can shoot some pics. of a 356 that is truly rust free , complete and has been registered and driven since '64 . I'm not flaming anyone , just trying to keep it true .

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another hit?....you guys are a ruff crowd

I bet your penis is longer also

Just joking ....dont flame me I know I cant compete with that list of car you have under your post.