Porsche                                                                                                            

I've had several 911s and 912s and bits of 356s (my real passion). None of the cars I've had so far inspired me enough to build as my own.  I finally found a worthy 356 to build...and it was in my price range! (rusty as hell). 

My new 356 project

     Plans for this car are as follows,all structural rust repaired (correctly) and nothing done to the exterior. Thats right,its gonna be a overdone ratrod,or shamefully underrestored,I have wanted a ratrod 356 for a long long time. Admittedly I have no desire to own a "perfect" restored car,in my opinion they are boring,and driving can feel like walking on eggshells.

   I want a car i can drive the hell out of,also i like the idea of this car looking like it was just pulled out of the blackberry bushes...the ultimate sleeper. It is a real porsche,i have several engines to choose from,2 are beefed up "raceready" engines,and a couple stock engines,im keeping the original trans,also the original brakes.

        Pictured above and below is yours truly looking at what I've bought and thinking how i can sneak this one home (i have a wife),The car is surprisingly complete,missing bumpers and windshield.

Heres an interesting pic,this guy just happened to have a trailer with a 356 on it at the same time I was towing mine home. His was on the way to a bodyshop,we didnt know each other or plan the pic,sometimes the stars are just in the right alignment.

   Pictured below,the old beast has been mostly stripped and hangs out on a body dolly

   And now on the rottisserie

     All the usual horrors of a neglected old porsche,plus some extra gremlins to deal with,believe it or not i was really happy with the cars condition,its rusty but not wrecked

Pictured above: heres pics of the 59 after its rejuvination (new chassis),alot

of panels replaced here,some panels are our own fabrication others are the

 danish panels.   While this was alot of work,im happy with the

 outcome,instead of getting a car that was "just a little rusty" i got a car that

was "really,really rusty" in fact the outer skin is about the only thing that

 didnt need replacement.   Im admittedly more into taking a car apart to

make sure theres no rust than to just "guess" theres no rust .

It was nice to see the ole beast off its imprisoning cage and back on 4

 wheels.   Its not over by any means,but the really nitty gritty has been

handled at this point.

Heres a panel i wasnt able to save so i fabbed an accurate reproduction of it

   And now fitted

Pre tank panel

Tank panel fitted

And now the tank is fitted,well its sitting there anyway

It rolls,still a haggard lookin thing really,I'm adding decals and other stuff to keep me excited (dont worry,all new or vintage decals will be properly "distressed" before it becomes street legal)

Getting a bit scary now,new tires,balanced,brakes (renewed originals),doors,decklid even a steering wheel

In your loudest rastaman voice "Lord have mercy!" I agree I may have officially lost my mind putting this many fogs up.......but combo'd with the french tourist headlamps doesnt it somehow look right?

Pictured above: I drove "The Mule" yesterday on our 5 mile local twister,no windows,goggles,old school racer style..............damn that was awesome........this will be my daily driver (rain or shine) soon. Its been called "The Mule" because it will be the shop guniea pig for breaking in newly rebuilt 356 engines,also a parts chaser/grocery/supplies getter.

   Pictured above is Ryans car. Its a t6 "B" coupe,he saved it from being

parted out and more than likely cut up.  When he first got it the thing looked

like hell warmed over,all the usual horrors with some sprinklings of poor

previous repairs. He did a great deal of metalwork and even added a partial

tube frame.  The car isnt perfect,but a damn nice daily driver.  Pictured

below is the poor thing before real work started...