Speedster in a Barn

[merbesfield]

Erik, hard to imagine what its like having such a special car for so long. Who knows, maybe someday you will end up with that Cab too. Wonder if my kids will want my old cars some day. By then will there be anyone around to work on them or even gasoline for that matter?

[Erik H]

Mark, The blue speedster in the garage photo is 83843. It was sold to a local guy and I can't seem to track it down. He died some years ago and for all I know it may still be in a garage locally. The car I have is 84112, which was silver and I painted black. It belonged to Bob Cotant, a friend of my Dad. The first time I saw it was I think 1972 when I was 13 years old. It was the first 356 I ever saw. Dad bought it March 29, 1976 so have known this car 41 years. You're right. It is hard to imagine. The 65 cab was sold quite a few years ago to a museum but I can't remember where.

[JTR70]

Forty 356's most definitely sounds like a hobby fast becoming a business and it is a shame you lost your father so young before it happened. You must of also had (or have) boxes and boxes of spare parts? A very interesting history for sure. Too bad you can't track down old 83843 it may very well be long forgotten in his garage. The old photos are fantastic Erik, Thank you for sharing them! Justin

[merbesfield]

Amazing to still have the very first Porsche you ever set you eyes on. Justin, what about you? Was your fathers old car your first?

[JTR70]

Hey Mark,
Yes, the coupe I'm working on now was my very first car (given to me at 16) and one of two Porsche's I have known my entire life. The other Porsche was my Dad's 66 911 which was one of our primary modes of transport in the 70's and all through the 80's. Both have been in the family 2-3 years before I was even born...

[Erik H]

I don't know what topic these would fit under so I'll just stick them here in the "barn" Most of these are from 30-40 year old magazines: probably copyrighted but it's not like I'm making money off them. I think Mic posted some VW photos. I rather enjoy them myself, after all, if there had never been Volkswagens, there probably would never be Porsches.

[Erik H]

I don't know what topic these would fit under so I'll just stick them here in the "barn" Most of these are from 30-40 year old magazines: probably copyrighted but it's not like I'm making money off them. I think Mic posted some VW photos. I rather enjoy them myself, after all, if there had never been Volkswagens, there probably would never be Porsches.

[Erik H]

All the caption said for this one was "the first chassis being delivered to Stuttgart"

[Erik H]

1963 design by Porsche for a replacement for the Beetle.

[Erik H]

Another view

[Erik H]

Wartime Beetle converted to a woodburner. I wonder how many miles per cord?
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[Restomod]

HAHA, A 356 Sedan !!! That is SO cool!! Did that car survive?
Thanks for those Erik!

[JTR70]

Erik, Thanks for posting! You're so right there would be no Porsche without VW and No VW (as we know it) without a Dr. Porsche. They were quite dependent on each other back then.
BTW: here's a really cool version of your earlier photo above with Dr. Porsche and the Beetle Prototype I ran across with our wheel of choice... Thanks again! Your finding some neat old vintage pics. Justin

[Erik H]

I found this photo today. This is Bob Cotant just after putting this car on the road in 1973. I remember the day this photo was taken. I was 14 years old. It still amazes to think this very first 356 I ever saw is in my garage 40 years later. Bob moved to Louisiana in 77 and when I was redoing the car in 99 I would call and talk to him for hours. The last time I saw Bob was 2001 when he came to visit his son. I went and picked him up and we went for an hour long drive in the Speedster. He was my Dad's best friend and an inspiration to me. He died about a year after his visit and I still miss our coversations

[JTR70]

Real nice photo and Story Erik. The great mentors in one's life are rare and the one's most missed! Not a day goes by in my shop that I don't think about my mentor Greg and all that he taught me. Thanks for posting! Justin