HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Happy Holidays to you and yours from356RESTORE.Yours means your 356 Porsche. (Did you change the oil before storing yours for the winter? Did you bleed the brakes this year?)

SHOP UPDATE

Shop hours are 8:00 AM to 3:56 PM Mon.-Sat. Saturday afternoons are Open Shop. For the last three years we have had folks drop by for Open Shop. I’m almost always here but call to check. During Open Shop we kick tires, bench race, check out 356′                                                                                                                              s in progress, sell some parts and maybe have a beer. Also, the shop has had 356 owners drop by for a few days during their vacations. We give mini-seminars, teach restoration procedures, evaluate their 356 and give advise. We enjoy doing this (ego stroke), so if you have time off during the Holidays, drop by.

Scot found a job! It was great having him on the payroll the last six months during his job search. He learned a lot, contributed a lot and now is starting a career as a mechanical engineer. He, as well as his Dad, is a real enthusiast and we will hear more of their 356 endeavors in the future.

Shop procedure have changed a little bit. With the new storage space we are doing evaluations, disassembly, parts cleaning, and re-assembly here; heavy welding and body work at the storage space and finish and painting at the paint booth. The 356’s are moving from place to place. This allows us to be more efficient; however right now we have eight 356’s in process. Barb is very happy that the noise and smell has moved from the basement to the storage area.

PROGRESS

Most of my time this month has been spent on the ’52 Split Window from Lincoln. This has been fun, as many parts (Pre-A) had to be fabricated or modified to fit the later engine/tranny configuration. For example, this is an attached bumper car and rubber decos and brackets are not available. I think I came up with a solution that reflects the character of the early 356’s. Let me tell you this was more fun than welding in a battery box floor.

Ryan has been finishing the “bottom everything” on Mike’s ’65 Coupe and also got the Shop ’64 Cab ready for paint. Before Scot left, he got about three fourths of the finish work done on Scotty’s ’53 Cab. (Nice job Scot!)

Work in Progress

I also accepted another Cabriolet project this month. Since I had space available at what is now the assembly area (my basement), I got talked into an assembly job on a ’60 Cab. While the owner, Ron and his twin brother, Rick, are a kick, the ’60 Cab needs a little more than assembly i.e. hood/door seams, underneath grinding, straightening and cleaning. Well I didn’t make any schedule commitments on this 356. In fact, I believe I only have one outstanding commitment and that is to restore Dr. Jack’s ’64 Sunroof Coupe. Now that I don’t have a list of commitments and schedules, I am a lot more relaxed. I get to do 356’s that I want to do for folks I enjoy working with. Life is good! (If you believe you have a commitment with me let me know.) With the seven Shop cars and the folks that have requested future work I would guess we have a two-three year backlog! However, this is flexible. I recently agreed to look at a windshield restoration on a Twin Grille Roadster. There is nothing like another Twin Grille Roadster project to get my attention.

PARTS

We recently bought some additional parts both NOS and used. While I’m still struggling with completing an updated parts list for future publication in this newsletter, give me a call if you need something. This week I sold a set of T-6 front bumper brackets ($30), two longitudinal bulkheads ($10) and a window regulator stop ($5). Not much money but I enjoy knowing these parts will help get another 356 back on the road.

I have a lot of doors, hoods, bumpers and both new and used exterior panels. While I intend to use these on restoration projects, they are available to those of you doing your own restorations. Prices are at least 50% of catalog. I also have a lot of mechanical parts i.e. engine and transaxel. Since I don’t do mechanical work you can steal these from me. You have to be able to evaluate condition because I can’t. If you need brake wheel cylinders, I have at least sixty on the shelf. Also lots of backing plates. Looking for oil temp senders? Stoddard wants $202, I’ll take $75! Just came in, a set of A short bumper guards-$150. How about rubber? I’ve got lots of new rubber pieces. Also lots of reusable aluminum deco strips.

NOTE

We now have over 300 356 owners on the distribution of this newsletter. Most are in the five state area. Next month we will switch to 2nd class mail. Costwise my break even will be at about eight months. There are startup and permit costs and we only save 10 cents on the stamp. I try to mail this by the 15th. If you get this late next month let me know.

Tech tip #1

3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner Part No. 08984 is the best rubber cleaner and general cleaner available for a 356. It gets grease and doesn’t harm paint. I use it everyday. It comes in a red and white one quart pour spout can.

Tech Tip #2

Bleeding the brakes is important. It is a two person job and a good way to get the other involved. Just don’t break the bleeder valve! Call me if uncertain of the procedure.