'55 356 Continental sees light of day after 45 yrs

[DaveCarrera4]

Hi Gang,
I'm new to the forum, and wish to introduce myself. My name is Dave Cooper from S. E. Michigan. I just pulled a pretty rough '55 out of my grandparents' barn after watching it decay for the past 5 years. I remember seeing the car as a little kid 40 years ago. It belonged to my uncle, who donated it to me if I was crazy enough to pull it out of the collapsed barn that surrounded it. Well it's out, not having seen the light of day in around 45 years. I went back for the motor as it was in another shed, along with a bumper and the spare. Seems that I have most of the parts and it seems the car is a matching numbers vehicle, as it was unmolested for so long. It is in very rough shape, and I'm considering my options. A fellow PCA member has offered to help me with an inventory of all the parts. I'm told the vehicle was red with silver stripes from the headlights back - seems that it was painted dark blue at some point, and was raced by the original owner. In fact there is what might be an admission sticker on the bumper - 2528 FORT SILL 1958 (Oklahoma). My uncle told me the name of the prior owner was Kathie (sp?). My uncle must have bought the car in the early 60's, cracked the windscreen down the center bend, removed it, then pulled the engine, then sanded the car to bare metal, then stopped...the car was pushed into a shed attached to the main barn, which lost part of the roof several years ago and collapsed onto the car, knocking it and the floor under it down, such that the car was at a 45 degree angle pointing downward, and supporting the roof. Now the question is where to go from here. I Will complete an inventory next spring. Most folks I talked to at the PCA Parade in Traverse City this past summer advised me to keep it all together and not part it out. It is safely tucked away, ready for further exploration next spring. All comments and advice welcome!

Dave

[JTR70]

Thanks Dave, Great photos and history. Nice job extracting this shell from a very precarious position. This car seems very complete making you miles ahead of the game! Those Continental emblems alone are rare birds and highly sought after. They are worth more than what your uncle paid for the whole car back in the day. A lot of guys here are very well versed in correct rust repair and can give plenty of advice along your restoration journey. Thanks and Welcome once again! Justin

[roy mawbey]

Dave,

That really is a barnfind for sure. Well done on the photo's, they give a good idea on the work involved. Justin is correct, bodywork and chassis reconstuction is really well layed out here step by step.

Of course we don't know if you have that sort of experience to start doing that work? Its an involved job thats needs to be carried out for sure on the car but maybe a lot is surface rust?

If you don't have the ability then be aware its going to be costly or rather very costly! Also if thats the case, a 356 specialist would be the way to go.

Very interesting would be nice to know your thinking on that after your PCA guy has a look at it.

Welcome along by the way to the forum. You will get sensible answers to questions here.

Roy

[JR]

So Dave,
Where in SE MI are you located?
I am originally from Lake Odessa up in Ionia County, but left there in 1957 for USN Flight Training.
Both the 'bride' and I graduated from Western (me 1956 and she 1957).
I have a 1961 Roadster.
We live in Chester, VA just South of Richmond now.
Dick

[DaveCarrera4]

We are close to Ann Arbor, even though I'm a Spartan! I'm in contact with a few folks about the car. Just cleaning up and storing, emblems and lights and such has been rewarding.

[JR]

Thanks Dave,
What are your plans for the car?
Are you planning on restoring it?
Dick

[DaveCarrera4]

Thanks Dave,
What are your plans for the car?
Are you planning on restoring it?
Dick

Now the question is where to go from here. I Will complete an inventory next spring. It is safely tucked away, ready for further exploration next spring. I'm starting to get excited about the prospect of a resto, but the practicality continues to get in the way...

[George]

Dave, If at possible for you I would keep the car and start bringing it back to life even if it takes you 10 or 20 yrs once you have it finished you will never regret doing it. I have had my 55 Speedster since high school (1965) and just got it back on the road after a 30 yrs in my folks barn. It was worth all the work and MONEY getting it back on the road put 2500 miles on it so far and plan on many more this coming summer. I as you will smile every time I drive it and you will when yours is finished. So really consider hanging on to it what a tribute to your uncle also. Good Luck with your decision. George

[JR]

Thanks for the 'Come Back' Dave,
Inventory of what you have is a great step and lets you know what you have to do. It will not be a overnight process.
I have owned th Roadster longer than you car was in the barn.
49 years as of 10/23/13.
I had a local shop do mine in 3 stages and it was worth about the $60K I put into it.
It started with a separated coupler, then went to the brakes and front end.
Out of the shop for a few months then with a #1 soft exhaust valve it was engine rebuild time.
Back home for a few months then we talked and did the body.
I'm glad that we did it.
It went from this:



and this,



and this,





and this,







to this today:










Thanks or letting me show you my baby!
Dick

[JTR70]

Hey Dave,
I read your query concerning cleaning that crusty VIN plate. I can tell you from experience that Naval Jelly will do very little against thick and established oxidation. Take a ride down to your local hardware store and pick up some muriatic acid. (swimming pool acid) Apply it on with a brush and keep it soaked. It will have that plate clean in about an hour. If the corrosion hasn't gone past the stampings they will be readable once again. Once finished be sure to thoroughly wash the area with water to neutralize the acid or it create more rust. To keep the area from "flash rusting" you can coat it with WD-40 or some other penetrating oil to preserve what you've cleaned while in storage. Below is my VIN plate:

Though not as rusty, this plate was oxidized too. A little muriatic acid cleaned it right up. I later black-oxided it and clear-coated to preserve the new finish. Hope this helps! Justin