Introduction

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from 356 RESTORE. There is still time to pick up some great 356 parts for holiday gifts. Call if you misplaced the list from last month’s newsletter. Note: We have a new phone (840-2356) for the shop. I think some of you may have had trouble calling us in the evenings when our computer was using the phone line. Call anytime with questions on 356 restoration or parts. -Jim Kellogg

Tech Tips

We mentioned minor oil leaks last month. The most common leak in the engine compartment is a missing screw. The screw hole goes into the valve train area and without a screw, oil will be forced out. A second leak area is the seal around the oil filler to generator stand. If this is missing, an o-ring from your hardware store will work. It’s easier to track down engine compartment leaks before chasing undercar leaks.

Progress

356RESTORE finished the replacement of a front floor-pan and strut repair on a ’61 sunroof coupe. This was an interesting job as the car had been stored outside with the sunroof open. The car was rusting from the inside out! The undercoat looked great but the rust was forming inside the strut and longitudinal. The ’54 coupe racecar is awaiting an oil cooler an then we will weld it and the rollbar in place. The ’59 sunroof coupe shop car got its second coat of primer and with some more sanding will be ready for its original metallic silver paint. We recently evaluated a ’54 coupe that the owner bought 20 years ago when he was 18. It’s time for a restoration and we hope to see it in the shop. 356RESTORE recently bought a ’63 coupe for a shop restoration. It needs a lot of metal replacement and will go on rotisserie. We will fix this up and sell it as a driver. We have had inquiries for driver 356’s i.e. solid cars not restored, for around $10K. We expect a ’57 Speedster in early 2003 for metal work. The car was reclipped with overlap welds and bondo and needs panel repair. Another Speedster (’55) is due in mid ’93 also for panel repair; the top extends forward of the windshield. Something was done wrong. Others have called and indicated they needed work done but have not yet scheduled their cars. While we have shop cars that we restore for resale, we stop work on those for customer work. So call now to get your car scheduled before spring driving starts.

Reflection

356RESTORE is now three months old. We started the shop with the hope that many customers would be an active part of the restoration. This is happening but not as much as expected. This will probably change in warmer weather.

The shop has made money, mostly from the sale of parts. While this is important for a new business, we really measure our success by getting these great cars back on the road.

Friedrich Weber

The contest for who is Friedrich Weber and why is this newsletter dedicated to him is still open for the 5% discount. One person got the who part of the question but not the why.

Parts

You will see some additional parts for sale on the back page. Notice the luggage racks. The A luggage racks are either painted or chrome. Reutter made the painted racks which could be body color or silver-grey. Leitz made the chrome racks.

Parts Open Shop

Reminder: The shop is open any time for parts or estimates and for your convenience on Saturday from noon to four. Saturday afternoon is mostly geared to beer and B.S. about 356 Porsches.
New Phone Number
(303) 840-2356

Introduction

What a reception! Thank you! The response to the first issue of this newsletter was great. We have a ’59 Sunroof Coupe, ’61 T-5 Coupe and ’54 Coupe in the shop and five other cars to be scheduled-a ’58 Speedster, ’64 SC Coupe, ’65 Coupe, ’60 Coupe and a ’57 Speedster. Projects range from complete restoration to door bottoms to floor pans. From the first newsletter, we sold enough parts to keep these newsletters going for the next six months. Speaking of parts, we have a large selection of parts (some new) on consignment from a local enthusiast (see the enclosed flyer). Jim Kellogg

Tech Tips

The 356 foot pedals are adjustable. If you are to close to the steering wheel, check to see if you can adjust the pedals out. The adjustment is a bolt riding on the grooved section of the pedal rod.

Minor oil leaks in the engine compartment should be resolved. The whole engine compartment is designed to feed air to the fan and direct it to the oil cooler under the engine shroud. Oil coolers become easily covered with oil and dirt and serious problems can result. You can check and clean the oil cooler by pulling the generator and fan.

Road Trips

Questions: My car is up on blocks; will 356RESTORE come to me? The answer is yes! In fact, my first customer needed engine compartment welding and I loaded up my gear and went to his garage to do the work. While the shop rate is the same, I do have to charge $20 for loading and unloading shop equipment. I expect a lot of my business to be road trips. Trips for evaluating a 356 are no charge. I really enjoy evaluating, so give me a call.

Observations

Recently, I’ve done metal repairs on three finished cars. That is, they had new interiors and paint but the owners found rust problems in the underbody. When you have metal repair done, insist on seeing the repair before it is covered with paint, caulk or undercoat. Shine a light behind the repaired panel if possible and check for pin holes. I’m proud of my 356 metal repair and want you to check it out. I try to take photographs if you are unable to observe the repair.

Another observation is that 356RESTORE’s approach of encouraging owners to participate in the repair process is being well received. We have loaned equipment and explained how to prepare rusty areas for repair. Owners have saved on the repair cost, and hopefully learned to appreciate the design and engineering of their 356.

He did what?!

Yes, 356RESTORE turned down work! Here I am with a new shop and I turned down welding on an Austin-Healey and a Studebaker Golden Hawk. I explained to the owners that a big part of my decision to take early retirement and work on 356 Porsches was the satisfaction I receive from getting them back on the road. I’m sure I could do good work on other cars, but pride, satisfaction and fun for me comes from restoring a 356 Porsche.

Who is Friedrich Weber

There is a reason why this newsletter is dedicated to Friedrich Weber. What is it and who is Friedrich Weber? Five percent off on parts, or service for a correct answer. Hint, there is clue in the dedication.

Parts Open Shop

We’ve got a lot of 356 parts in the shop. Drop by during open shop hours on Saturdays from noon to 4:00 or give me a call. Everybody who has restoration work done receives a 356RESTORE denim cap.

Introduction

Welcome to this first issue of 356RESTORE, a newsletter on the restoration of Porsche 356 models. 356 RESTORE is also the name of my new business located in Parker, CO. We specialize in the metal repair and restoration of 356 Porsches. We offer competitive rates and will instruct you in work that you can do to keep your 356 on the road at a reasonable cost. -Jim Kellogg

Tech Tips

Ever have problems getting the nuts on a hood handle in side the recessed area? One solution is to use a piece of rubber hose whose inside diameter will hold the nut.

One simple and inexpensive thing you can do to save that expensive paint job is to coat the insides of the wheel wells with fibrous roofing tar. You can find this product at home improvement centers for about $5 a gallon which is all you need. It prevents those stars in the paint caused by stones tossed by the tires. Just brush it on the inside of those exterior panels that could get hit by stones.

Our Approach

The approach at 356 RESTORE is to provide variable estimates allowing you to decide how much work you want to do yourself. We will identify the problems areas and inform you of the best products to prepare the area for repair, how the repair should be done, and how to finish the repair area to last. It’s your choice on whether you want us to do all the work or perhaps just the MIG welding. Our shop rate is $22.50/hr so you can save money by doing some of the work yourself. In fact, we encourage you to get involved in your repair or restoration. This builds your appreciation of the excellent design and engineering of the 356 Porsche.

So if it;s finally time to get that battery box fixed or the whole car done, give us a call. We will rent tools if you don’t have them and instruct you in their use. However, the plasma cutter can only be rented from Saturday noon til Sunday evening.

We provide free estimates-within a reasonable distance of Denver. We have developed an estimate sheet that lets you know what work you can do to prepare for the repair and to finish it after welding.

References

I’ve been restoring 356 Porsches for 10 years as a hobby and have recently selected an early retirement option from my company and will do what I enjoy doing the most is restoring 356 Porsches. In the past I did the battery box on a ’57 Carrera coupe, the complete restoration of a ’62 Roadster, the bottom everything on a ’63 sunroof coupe, a nose clip on a ’58 coupe, and numerous small and large rust holes on other 356’s.

Warranty

All metal work is guaranteed against rust for 13 years. Next year, the warranty will be 12 years as I intend to retire at 65. So get your work done now! The reason we offer a warranty is that we use the latest products and have confidence in our skills.

Open Shop

The shop is open for visitors, estimates, or just B.S. every Saturday noon til 4.

To get to the shop, find Parker CO. and go to the next stoplight on Hwy 83/Parker Road south of Main Street. Turn left (east) on Hilltop and continue 1 mile until you can take the first right. This is Sunburst Tail. You wind around and go up and down until you find 8356. While the house number is 8356, the shop can hold 3 to 5 356’s. So when we fill up the shop, we will probably have to move to a shop in Parker. The shop rate will probably go up then, so get your repair scheduled now!