I have been pretty busy lately with renovations, new baby child, and a 356 restoration at work.

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Had to remake the bottom 120mm of both doors. That is the inner frame and inner inner frame. Bottom skins fabrications still to be fitted.

[ Edited on 1-5-2007 by compayo ]

Remade front 100mm of bonnet and also frame inside.

Owner wants everything metal finished.

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Rusted section had to be cut out and new fabricated section welded in.

Metal finished

That looks like an 356B. Nice car! Are you putting new guards, nose and a bonnet skin on? If so how much did they cost and where did you get them from. The front nose section is available from your local Porsche dealer ex-germany for $3300. I will need one on my 58 A at some point in the future.

Cheers

Steve

[ Edited on 1-5-2007 by matara ]

The engine lid has one opening, not two like your one in your avatar. The workshop manual the owner had in his hands was for a 1960 B series. So I may believe that it is a possibility that is what it is.

I have made a new front section for the bonnet skin. Already fitted and metal finished. I am fabricating most of the panel sections as most of them are small and a lot of them are internal. Owner is very fussy and it takes time to make it all correct.

The front clip is going back on. It is in reasonable shape, just had to come off to replace seams that had swollen with rust underneath. I think it is a UK delivery car, and the salt on the roads has taken its toll. Original RHD. I have been given a LHF corner panel (nose section) by the owner.

Latest update on 356 works.

Have fabricated and welded on rear sections of front guards and refitted bonnet skin.

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Model is BT5 Super 90.

Makes more sense to a 356 enthusiast.

Hi Helbus,

Can you tell us what something like this will end up costing, minus paint?

Cheers- Wayne

Very envious.....one day, as they say

A mate just scored an original steel Golde for one of his

Oh... sorry.... BLOODY beautiful work

What is going to power this??

[ Edited on 16-5-2007 by Bizarre ]

You're well gifted Pete! Amazing metal work there mate.. Super90 huh? they're quite desirable I hear - 90HP...

wow Pete...nice!

So who's ride is this going to be?

Has Fidel been helping you on this as well as working on the driveway?!

How long do you think the resto will take..it's looks like it is moving along well?

I am off the 356 for a while as I have been commissioned by the boss to refabricate an aluminium front panel on an Austin Healey that has to be modified to be 50mm wider, and have race vents, light pods etc fabricated into it. Show car, may never see the track. LHD for an owner in the USA.

This kinda of craftmanship always interests/amazes me. Too often a quick bang and bog is considered aceptable....

Thanks for sharing Helbus!

The bang and bog is a method often utilised by panel shops for a variety of reasons.

Quicker, for customer expectation or shop workflow
Poorly trained, lazy or non-experienced workers
Cost constraints based on a competitive smash quote market.
Corner cutting, and still charging for high level restoration or repair.
or simply doing what the customer wants. There are customers that choose that path as it is cheaper, quicker etc.

The work I am doing on the 356 is fully written down, diarised, all time accountable, digital pics of all work, and the quality is the first thing on the list. I will post more pics when I get back onto the job.

As an experienced painter I can say that is very nice metal work. Well done Pete its a credit to you.

Nice work Pete.:thumb
If only my skills as a fruiturer were as useful to my hobbies. Concrete shoes & bullet holes on a dub just don't cut it....
- Adam

Back on the 356

Front clip clamped in place

RH side oxy fusion welded front clip. This is welded to the rear section that I had already made by hand to fit the door opening.