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The Original Blau 100MM Gas cap Remained Virtually identicle and interchangable through the production years 1950-1961. During this eleven year run only few subtle details distinguish one from the other. Such details include: Cadmium to Zinc plating, Cork to later Blue rubbber seal gaskets and Logo changes to the underside of the caps. The following pictures and details will help Identify the Blau gas cap which would most be correct for your particular year and model 356. When these changes were introduced can never be accurately pin-pointed but the following examples will provide a guideline as to which cap your car would have most likely been outfitted with when new.
This smooth raised domed center with serrated edges is the standard and remained virtually unchanged through the 11 year production run. The general concensus is they all came silver in color with the early version 1950-1957ish being cadmium plated and later version being Zinc plated. Again there is definitive end as to when the Cadmium was phased out. A combination of both Zinc and Cad plated caps may have been produced in alternating series. I am only going by my most recent knowledge on the subject given to me by long term 356 restorers. If you know of something different please add it. We all want the most accurate info as possible.(example above has been polished and nickle plated)
This is the earliest version Blau 100MM Gas cap. Again same baby-moon shape with serrated edges. What distinguishes this cap from a slightly later Pre-A version is the tiny venting hole in the center. This cap is correct and would be found on the very early Non-vented gas tanks from 1950 to only Mid-1951. Vented tanks would be phased in and this tiny hole would no longer be needed. (example above was spray painted black at some point)
Known original cap to 1956/57 356AT1 coupe 58367. Again outside shape unchanged. Originally cadmium plated.
Known original cap to March 1959 coupe. Unchanged shape. Originally Zinc plated. Photo coutesy of Roy Mawbey.
Original 904 Blau 100MM gas cap. Circa: 1965/66 One of the very latest examples of this style cap to be found. Aside from the handle, the body of the cap is identicle to most earliest cap pictured above. Where all these caps really differ in detail is the underside which will be detailed shortly. Thanks for stopping by! Justin
This smooth raised domed center with serrated edges is the standard and remained virtually unchanged through the 11 year production run. The general concensus is they all came silver in color with the early version 1950-1957ish being cadmium plated and later version being Zinc plated. Again there is definitive end as to when the Cadmium was phased out. A combination of both Zinc and Cad plated caps may have been produced in alternating series. I am only going by my most recent knowledge on the subject given to me by long term 356 restorers. If you know of something different please add it. We all want the most accurate info as possible.(example above has been polished and nickle plated)
This is the earliest version Blau 100MM Gas cap. Again same baby-moon shape with serrated edges. What distinguishes this cap from a slightly later Pre-A version is the tiny venting hole in the center. This cap is correct and would be found on the very early Non-vented gas tanks from 1950 to only Mid-1951. Vented tanks would be phased in and this tiny hole would no longer be needed. (example above was spray painted black at some point)
Known original cap to 1956/57 356AT1 coupe 58367. Again outside shape unchanged. Originally cadmium plated.
Known original cap to March 1959 coupe. Unchanged shape. Originally Zinc plated. Photo coutesy of Roy Mawbey.
Original 904 Blau 100MM gas cap. Circa: 1965/66 One of the very latest examples of this style cap to be found. Aside from the handle, the body of the cap is identicle to most earliest cap pictured above. Where all these caps really differ in detail is the underside which will be detailed shortly. Thanks for stopping by! Justin
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