1959 356A S/R coupe project chassis # 108625

[roy mawbey]

Justin, I will look at my tow hook later today still factory fresh and advise my comments. AFN in London stood for Archie Frazer Nash . They built before the war Frazer Nash cars some of them Chain Driven.

After the war they concentrated on getting the Porsche dealership for the UK and got it from around 1952/3 and also BMW motor cycles. Dickie Stoop was a customer of AFN then owned by the Aldington Brothers. Dickie a keen racer bought his 904 Porsche from them. He died a long time ago now.

Roy

[JTR70]

Tow hook mounting correction:
Rib shoulder pounded back out with the three forward holes reset and tapped.
Rear edge of the mounting flange now stands off as shown on that T5 original example. I assumed a flush fit but that is obviously not how Reutter mounted them so never mind what I think.
The problem with this tilt is that the rear mounts are well over an inch away from the panel which is partly why I assumed a flat and even mounting. I hate just heeling them over to touch so I'm going to cut the welds and reset the hook in relation to its flange for a cleaner final presentation instead of a "forced fit". Just a tow hook I know but I still don't want it to look like shit under here.
This will also give me the opportunity to adjust the hook downward a few MM's as the rivets are interfering with the cross brace flange. Part of getting all of these repro parts to fit together correctly.
Bouncing back and fourth to stitch up that long run on the Id panel where it was removed. Back in its original position as the drilled out spots along the side confirm. Finishing out the battery box floor next.

Thanks for looking!

Justin

[JTR70]

Was AFN the Dicky Stoops Dealership Roy? You are correct, they are very intricate but at the same time simple if that makes any sense. Construction would have been much more pleasant back in the day with fresh pieces of purpose built steel and dedicated holding jigs. Always easier no matter what it is to build from new versus damage repair. Roy, your car wouldn't still have its original tow hook assembly would it?
I really need an underside shot of an original to determine if the hooks mounting flange was completely flat like this new one above or if it had relief shapes pressed in to accommodate the center rib shoulders. If I mount it as is I'll have to completely flatten the entire area including the reinforcement top side for a flush fit.
According to this photo the rib shape was not flattened at all under the tow hook. Any info on what the other side looked like originally would be most appreciated. Thanks for any help. Justin


Update:


According to this T5 shot from Deluxe customs the hook never sat flush. I may have over thought this one. The A's would most likely be the same but can you still confirm Roy?
Thanks! Justin

[roy mawbey]

Justin, its no wonder these 356A cars were so expensive over here in the UK. I remember well, looking near my school in the showroom of AFN , the main UK Porsche importer in 1958 just before
I left school for the final time . They had a new 356 sitting there at just over £2,000 At that time it was considerably more expensive than a Jaguar. Never thought I would own one. But this front battery box area is when you study all of it, is quite complex. A lot of design work went into the front end of a 356. Seeing it all coming together on this one makes you realise for then , in the 1950's as a relativily small company Porsche did well to produce them. Only when you get a chance to look closely at this current project of yours, can you see effort required to get it right.

Roy

[JTR70]

Minor floor corrections
Here is how much it needs. Once I traced my final cut line for a butt-joint it was onto metal.
New sections added and just about stitched in.
Another test fit to make sure the edges where snug against the wall before going further.
Ready to move onto the next step. Floor and front wall will come out one more time for weld finishing and tow hook installation. Simultaneously I can finally begin welding the ID panel and rear wall sections in for good. After all this repair and preparation work its now headed towards final installation time.

Thanks for looking!

Justin