Coupe into Speedster Conversion

[Carrera_The_Kid]

Amazing stuff Justin, hard to recognize the original panel you started out with. Thanks for sharing!

[JTR70]

I appreciate that Joris, Thank you!!

7/23/15
Begin right striker post prep.

Began the session by removing the remains of the original closing panel flange.

old flange removed, car rolled back over and door mounted to begin locating the new striker post.

Adjusting striker to door for the closest alignment with the post profile.

The usual series of trimming and repeated trial fittings began as the part slowly moved into closer position.

Once in basic position it was clear that bits of the threshold profile will need trimming to close up those gaps.

Big gap with the bottom edge of the door is great confirmation that its on the right track.

It was a start. More tomorrow. Thanks for looking! Justin

[Phil Planck]

Amazing work Justin. Tell me, after this and the coupe are done, what's next? How can you top this?

Phil

[Ryles]

Dude, show pics....

[Jack Staggs]

Dude, show pics....

Huh? What are you talking about, dude?

[roy mawbey]

Justin,

The series of photo's on the last page really show how you mastered that panel fitment. Really impressive when you make it look almost easy. Its no easy task to get gapping so close in the first stages. Oh Justin, how I wish this forum of yours had been around in 1975. Nothing then like this existed or I didn't find it. I am sure its like anything else in life you keep on making mistakes till finally it all starts to make sense and you go down the right road and not the wrong one!

Roy

[JTR70]

Thank you very much Phil! Once this car and my coupe are done

my plan is to get back on my hot rod coupster project I started in 2000.

I made a firm commitment to myself that I can't touch this project again until the coupe is fully completed. I don't know about topping myself but I will be better at figuring out speedster body details than when I started this car. Those are 930 turbo control arms eventually going in BTW.

Thanks once again Roy! You're right the photo sequences are very deceptive. What I cannot fully relay is all the prep work and near misses with mistakes as it progresses between each photo. You'd be bored silly if I tried that's why I do self edit a little. Yes, you just keep at it make tiny steps along with the necessary screw ups until your brain finally figures out how its supposed to be. No short-cuts with that process for sure. Thanks once again you guys, I appreciate it! Justin

7/25/15
New rear speedster cowl section arrives from Trevor's Hammerworks.

We'll be going with Trevor Marshall panels from here on in and the first item from our new order arrived last Friday.

Nothing more beautiful than a fresh curved piece of metal.

Profile looks promising.



Initial rough fitment.

Looking more like a Speedster all the time.

The profile looks pretty good but I'll be comparing it to the reference car's cowl, an original top frame base bow and the decklid we're using to see how much tweaking it needs if any.
Thanks for looking! Justin

[John Pierce]

One step at a time, Justin! Things are coming along nicely. I'm looking forward to your opinion on the fitment of Trevor's panels.

JP

[JTR70]

Thanks again John! That's it, one step at a time...it's all you can do.
I'll definitely give a detailed account on how Trevor's panels fit.

7/27/15

Right striker finishing prep and mounting.

The striker and rocker were beginning to finally fit together but I decided before going any further that I needed to close this corner and eventual vertical gap up just a touch more to reduce the need for lead or any other filler.

cut line established here so I could move this corner forward just a touch more.

Liking this new initial gap much better which we need far less filler to create the final gap line once all is said and done.

Corner tacked and set screwed into its new position. Basic striker fitment complete.

Striker distance is just a touch tight here but its about ready for its first tack-weld.

BUT, before that could happen I needed to get the door wedge receiver housing located and mounted.

After some careful cutting and filing to the opening the new housing was installed. Now the striker is ready to mount.

Post in best adjusted position and ready for its first weld.

Post tacked and in for good.

With the post set and established the closing wall can now begin going in.

This wall was shaped more to the frame profile than the other side but as you can see its a bit flat overall so it too will need some manipulating.

Fitment process begins next. Thanks for stopping by!
Justin

[bbspdstr]

Amazing work Justin. Tell me, after this and the coupe are done, what's next? How can you top this?

Phil

After all of Justin's experience is gained, he needs to take a break and author the consummate restoration book. Those would sell.
I keep looking for a panel from Trevor. A rear cap for a '56 Speedster. If anyone knows of a NOS panel, it's for a 4 cam.
I'm (bored) on a train lurching toward Florida and will wind up in the Keys. I've heard there is a good restoration shop in that island chain somewhere. Anyone know a name or location?
What else is there to do on vacation than visit other car folk?

[AMP]

I think they have tequila and rum down there somewhere!

I think you are right about the book. It would be the best.

Hope you all have a great vacation!

[roy mawbey]

Ashley I told him he could write a book now years ago. Trouble is, the book would be so heavy with so many pages That last little modification of moving the radius to get a better gap on the rocker door closure is a point in question. How many would not have thought of doing that? Many I think.

Its all to do with constant experience of problems and forward thinking. Nothing like that is normally shown in books, a book could almost be produced just showing how to forward think these difficult body repairs or how to approach the work. His range of clamping tools has always impressed me, I had so few when I attempted things and I don't think I would have been alone in that.

Since following all the work Justin has attempted I do have a lot of regard for his continued effort. I think Bruce fully understands as he is a guy who has been so involved with the 356 and for so many years, he has met most problems not once, but probably many times.

Its the guy who starts in 356 bodywork right in the deep end, without any real experience, that needs to look at this forum in depth for around a week just to get an idea of what is involved. I have told a number of guys over here to do just that.

Roy

[bbspdstr]

I was approached years ago by Brett Johnson to write a book on 356 Restoration and declined.1? I am still learning myself ....and second, to be really good it's basically a knack that one has or likely never will, third is that it involves a real passion for the cars and lastly, any fairly comprehensive book would be HUGE, like it would need wheels of it's own!

Personally, I feel that voluntary donations to Justin for his efforts here are a possible incentive to keep this expanding resource going into an online "book" of Wikiresto experience with the interaction that can't be bought in print.

Here, you get suggestions, examples, kudos and all even on a phone on a train like I am doing now.
Great overall entertainment on one site of all things Porsche and "other car stuff".
Thanks, Justin!

[John Pierce]

I agree. This website has so much more information and detail that a book could not hope to catch. The only drawback is that it is sometimes hard to go to a specific repair section. What I've done is bookmarked certain pages and labeled them: ex. Longitudinal repair, etc.

This is truly a great resource.

[JTR70]

Thank you very much Bruce, Ashley, Roy and John! Again, its only because of the efforts and the generosity of all of you that post here which makes this site what it is. I appreciate that Bruce but I think you would be the only one really qualified to write a comprehensive restoration "how to book". I still make too many mistakes and the thing would never go get to print. But, I could write a "what not to do" restoration book I suppose. While you're enjoying your vacation you should seriously re-think Brett's offer Bruce. Thanks again for all the great and support posts guys! Justin

7/31/15
Striker Post gusset

Final template shape and ready for metal.

Initial set screwed position of new piece.

Now ready to add the last arching profile flange for the gusset cap.

After a little torch heat for easier stretching the flange and final shape to this part was in.

Ready to make the cap tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by!
Justin