Right Hand Drive 356

[Steve Heinrichs]

Edwin,

You are very kind. Thank you!

As to the RHD stuff, it is a little complicated. I think I have all through 131530. So, I can help re numbers before that. Sadly, the last "book" that has this info was lost/stolen from the Archiv so cannot be researched. I think Mike Smith may have been able to look at the kardexes as to the rest of the cars to determine RHDs.

Like a variety of other stuff---fascinating---to me anyway.

Anyway---thanks again!!

Steve Heinrichs

[Murugesh Nidyananda]

You have been very kind. If you are ever in Malaysia. I need to bring you for a drink.

[Murugesh Nidyananda]

My car just arrived out of port into my hands after 4 months of being in a ship, container and quarantined in the port.

Noticed some issues.

1. Surprisingly, the car driver's door wont close tightly. What could be the issue here?

2. The felt at the top of the driver window, is coming loose. Is there a way to rectify this, or can I get new parts?

Thank you!

[JTR70]

Hey Murugesh,

Congratulations on taking delivery of your new 356! Welcome the world of old cars where there will be lots of little quirks and gremlins to address but don't get discouraged just take them on one at a time. The poor closed door fitment issue could be due to several factors. The two easiest remedies being readjustment of the striker plate more inward or making sure the rubber seal is fully seated in its channel. There could be too much upholstery in there crowding the seal out thus pressuring the door outward. A more complicated problem might have been created when the car was restored and the body panels not properly set and engaged to the car before it was painted. That could prove to be a more costly fix. If you need new felt inserts for the window channels I can get you any new parts you may need through Rusty Tubs. Just let me know. If you get a chance show some photos of your closed door problem. Congratulations once again! Justin

[Murugesh Nidyananda]

Attached are some pics. Not sure why it's Suddenly out of place. Was fine 4 mths ago and fine when I opened the door.





Did I slam it too hard

[Murugesh Nidyananda]

Justin, the car was in perfect shape before this. Could it be the hinges?

[JTR70]

Hi Murugesh,

No, don't worry its definitely not in the hinges or anything serious. If it was fine when you took delivery than what appears to have happened is the striker plate has been bumped out of alignment. Your remedy is to loosen those 5 large screws that hold it on and readjust the plate.

[JTR70]

Murugesh, just got an email response back from Bruce Baker:



I'm kinda thinking option 3 on his list. You may have tipped the inner handle to the locked position. Push it downward and try again.

Justin

[Murugesh Nidyananda]

Will definitely try this. Am a bit busy this next few days...and car is in the importers showroom.


My next step with this car, is to get some anti rust smothered on the undr carriage. The humid weather down here is Rust's best friend. The car is rust free at the moment and I am looking at options. Would zinc oxide and marine paint suffice?

[Murugesh Nidyananda]

Cars finally gone to the shop to do the anti rust. Door somehow is magically ok now

I am wondering is there a piece of rubber which is missing from the engine bay?

[roy mawbey]

Murugesh,

The engine bay ( or where the engine lid closes onto is missing the 4 off rubber stoppers. The engine bay does not have a rubber seal like the front hood lid.

There should be 4 holes to insert these into. The photo of mine shows the rubber stoppers. Stoddard will sell them.




One of the rubber stoppers can be seen lower right in the photo above.
Just found another old photo of my car showing all 4 off stoppers.



Roy

[Murugesh Nidyananda]

Thank you Roy for the pictures!

Will be posting more pics of my car after anti rust treatment. Thanks to everyone for the help so far!

[Murugesh Nidyananda]

Would you guys recommend rust bullet,
http://rustbulletuk.com

OR

POR15
https://www.por15.com/


I live in Malaysia, a tropical humid country and I want to make sure my car doesn't rust out. What would be the best anti rust I could use for the undercarriage?

Thank you Gurus!

[JTR70]

I am only familiar with POR 15. It can be applied to existing rust to encapsulate it and sealing it from moisture which prevents its further growth or decay. BTW: what does the bottom of your car look like? Has it been restored at some point? On a quick side note you mentioned you were looking for a drivers manual which would be correct for your car; all 356A manuals are virtually Identical with only a few slight changes to the March of '57 edition. Below are some detailed shots of my manual.

The cover remained identical throughout the run. A nice reproduction is offered and I believe on some of them the spiral binder is white instead of black.

You're going to be looking for this Oct. of '56 edition to be correct for your car. The later march of '57 manual though almost identical will detail the later T2 changes like teardrop tail lights. The repro manuals are a copy of the march of '57 manual only. (AFAIK)

Pages unique to this early edition



Also the electrical schematic depicts beehive lights. Hope this helps.
Justin

[Carrera GT]

This Manual (a nice original one) is an October 1956 Edition - still applicable to a March/April 1957 car.

Michael Doyle