|
History
In 1960, the new model Porsche 356B was
introduced to the streets. The bumpers were raised about four inches
front and rear and given a different shape. They also had large
vertical bumper guards. The headlights were raised up so that the
fender line was almost horizontal from the cowl to the headlight
rim. The 356B now had a horn grill above the bumper and a brake-cooling
grill below the bumper, which was also where the optional fog lights
were mounted. 356B brake drums had radial fins instead of the previous
356A circumferential fin-style brakes. The transmission was changed
to incorporate a different shifter; this was a similar design used
through the 911 series up to the mid-90s.
The 356B series also introduced the Super 90
version of the car with a 90 DIN hp version of the 356 engine, which
was a more reliable replacement for the costly Carrera model as
the high performance 356. The Super 90 did perform nearly as well
as the Carrera at the time and was far less problematic. The previous
Carrera engines were basically detuned Formula One engines of the
day. The 4-cam Carrera engine was very complicated in its construction,
and very expensive to maintain, especially in a street car.
Again in 1962 the 356B evolved into the T6 body
(previous models referred to as the T5). The T6 was different in
that it had a squared-off front hood and the fuel-filler was moved
from under the hood to under a flap in the right front fender. T6
bodies also had twin engine grills for improved engine cooling and
a larger windshield and rear window.
The Project
This car, a 63 Coupe started out life
as a plain-jane normal, no frills. Pretty much a base model with
a radio, nothing else it appears. In it's journeys, had an accident,
and some very poor repairs to the body and mechanicals. How about
the home made wood shifter bushings? It hadn't been on the road
since 1972, and had been passed from garage to garage, the roof
was wrinkled from boxes and things being stored on it, had some
rust, and somewhere along the way suffered an accident to the front
end. Only covering 72,000 miles since new, it still was relatively
unmolested. The car had all it's original wheels, original drivetrain,
and was pretty complete. It was found at a swap meet a few years
ago, and was advertised for a pretty reasonable price for what it
was, actually a running, driving 356 for below market price! I called
after the swap meet to find the seller still had the poor little
car, and some others were trying to line up for purchase. A deal
was struck over the phone, and a few days later we collected the
car, and Project 356B outlaw was born.
After getting the 356 back to the shop and
doing a full evaluation, we realized to restore, or even make a
presentable street concours car would be an arguous task. This 356
was just a base model and nothing really exciting, but it called
to us to make something more, and save it to shine amongst the vintage
356 speed crowd.
About a week and some bits we actually had on
the shelf the 356 was back on the road and driving! Rebuilt the
entire brake system, new wheels and tires, oil change, clutch disc,
and some wiring repair was all that was needed for a reliable driver!!
Around town it went.
"Snowflake" was ready for the road. 5.5 chromies
were fitted intially
Surgery
In the midst of driving, and the front
end link-pins becoming more and more of an issue needing a rebuild,
off the road it came. It was suppose to be a quick fix, but after
2 days the car was down to a shell. The welding had begun, parts
sourced, and ideas were being taken to fruition. First off the front
end was disassembled, a disc brake set-up was located, and a variety
of "outlaw" ideas were churned around. The car went into surgery,
and a hot rod was going to be the outcome. A 356 GT look car. A
GT tank is going to be constructed from a modified stock tank. Disc
brakes, 16" wheels, lightweight interior, rallye lighting, speedster
seats, 12 volt electrics, and some other retro Porsche goodies for
the flavor. In the next few months the car will be mechanically
sound, chassis repaired and re-inforced, and in the midst of paintwork.
Stay tuned to the coming updates. Keep the faith!
|
