Garage find.......sort of.

[glewis80SC]

The car is a 1958 356A and it belongs to my wife's cousin, I noticed the car in her garage about 10 years ago. It had been sitting for about 6 months at that time, she tried it as a daily driver but it lacked too many creature comforts, she offered to let me take it out on weekends, I tried but her husband didn't seem to like the idea so I left it alone.
She and the husband went through a divorce a few years ago, I would ask about the car but she was not in a place to really care about it, so again I left it alone.
Well a couple weeks ago I emailed her about possibly getting it running and taking it to the Friends of Steve McQueen Car Show at the Boys Republic in Chino Hills. I finally caught her at the right time and place because she was very excited about the idea.
It has been sitting for about 5 years now but is in great condition, a little rust under the battery but that seems to be it.
The car was purchased by her parents in 1964 as a wedding gift to themselves, she said they paid $1000.00 for it. Her father maintained the car very well for a long time, lots of records, unfortunately they divorced too, he kept the car.
Her dad was not the best father and he ended up giving her the car in hopes of making amends I suppose. Luckily it was covered and inside the entire time so the paint is nice and the interior is in wonderful condition.
The fuel smells like turpentine but the engine rotates and no real mice issues so far, I'm picking the basic maintenance parts from Pelican tomorrow, if all goes well it will be at the show this Sat. Some pics from today.

[giovanni86]

great conditions!

[tevake]

Very nice!! Are you planing to take it to the show as is, once running? That storage patina would make for some interesting conversations.
Good that you stayed in touch and were there for the car and owner at the right time.
Please keep us posted on your progress. We love the stories of these cars coming back to life.

Cheers Richard

[Grady Clay]

I agree. Very nice original condition.
Leave it alone (as restoration). Keep it original even with its flaws.

You will need some mechanical service.
Just like any 911, the brakes, tires, carbs, fuel tank, fuel pump and some other will need attention.
Of particular importance are the fuel system parts, including the petcock.
The engine and transmission need normal lube and service.
Don’t forget to lube the front suspension.
We have a Pelican here in Colorado with their dad’s Speedster getting similar treatment.
Just because the tires hold air and the brakes function now, they will fail if you drive it.

Enjoy.

Best,
Grady

PS: I suspect there may be an electric fuel pump up front.
G.

[Don Ivey]

I had a '59 but yours looks much better, esp. the interior. Take this to the 356 Registry forum if you want lots more input. Great cars, and probably worth lots of money now. I sold mine a bit too soon. Good luck,

Don Ivey
'87 Carrera

[glewis80SC]

Thanks for the advice I don't intend on changing anything beyond getting it running and having her address the rust. My plan is to do change oil, clean fuel tank, fuel filters, adjust valves, cap rotor etc. bleed brakes. Then go from there I am hoping to get it ready for the show this weekend. Will keep you posted.
Grady,
What exactly about the petcock? More than cleaning? Anything trick about removing fuel tank?
I will post on 356 Registry thanks again for any help/advise.
More pics.

[Grady Clay]

glewis80SC,

The petcock is a common source of fuel leaks.
There is a kit #4 here or the complete assembly Pelican Parts - Product Information: 644-201-021-07-M260


Doing everything is probably too ambitious for this upcoming weekend.
Get it safely running.
Make sure there are NO fuel leaks or seeps.
Trailer it to (or near) the event.
Bring two BIG fire extinguishers.


There are a LOT of details to go through getting this safely back in service.
The two issues are that you don’t crash from a blown 30-year old tire or sudden “NO BRAKES” and that the machinery doesn’t damage itself from some lubrication, corrosion or mechanical malfunction.

When you change the oil, carefully inspect (with a 10X hand microscope) the top of the oil filter and the sump screen looking for signs of a failing rod bearing.
The bearing can shed small pieces of brass-appearing metal before there is a catastrophic rod failure.
You want to stop running the engine prior to a catastrophe – after is too late.

Just like 911s, the necessary bleeding of the brakes can cause a rusty master cylinder to damage the seal and leak out the fluid.
The brakes may function normally until suddenly no fluid and the pedal goes to the floor. “NO BRAKES!”

With the front off the ground, shake the front wheels checking for loose king pin bearings and worn or out-of-adjustment link pins.
Tie rod joints and wheel bearings are also a potential issue.
Is the steering box centered, reasonable play and full of grease?
How well are the brakes adjusted? Do they fully release?
Does the parking brakes work? Do they fully release?

Post the date codes (if any) on the tires.

Is fuel running through the fuel pump (it may have a front-mounted electric fuel pump given the two aftermarket filters and a pressure regulator – or is that a fuel pump on the LR inner fender?)
If so, check that fuel isn’t leaking into the engine oil.
If you use the mechanical fuel pump, you will need one of the $30 kits here or Pelican Parts - Product Information: NLA-108-903-00



You should get around to ‘rebuilding’ the carbs so it has new gaskets and seals and everything works as intended.
You will need it #6 here and more and Porsche 356 Carburetion - Page 1


With the engine having sat for a long time, treat it as if new with an extended ‘brake-in’ period.
Don’t adjust the valves right away, just periodically check for clearance.
Loosen any that are ‘tight’.

What is the engine number?
There are lots of subtle changes in fuel system, petcock, carbs and fuel pump in the ’58-’60 era so be careful to identify what you have.
When buying parts and kits, talk to someone who really knows this span of 356 A/B.
Many 'A' parts are superceed to 'B' & 'C' but you will want to retain original 'A' parts if possible.


Is this the original color?
I notice that the dash has been repainted. This is a common indicator of a color change.

You should join the 356 Registry Registration Page

Best,
Grady

PS: In the above URLs, replace the “**” with “dd”.

[glewis80SC]

Grady,
Thanks for the info/advise. I dont know about original color. I will do all that I can for this weekend but if not ready that is ok at least she is open to getting it running now. I am researching and getting as much info about these cars as I can, the 356 Registry site has tons of great info.

[nineball]

Originally Posted by glewis80SC

that book is priceless. i love the cover art!

[a914622]

That is the coolest coolest. That why i surf here ! You have to post pics from the show..

[kramer747]

very nice! be sure to remove those rags before you drive it. No sure what they are all about

[ZAMIRZ]

glewis, that's a great car. Way to be persistent with her! Are you planning on buying it from her or are you doing this "pro bono"?

[kycarguy 935]

Great story and beautiful 356.

It would be perfect to keep it in the original condition as Grady said. Not many left in original condition.

[sc_rufctr]

Great car, You can't fake patina...

Are you going to actually buy this car or are you fixing it up for the lady?

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by glewis80SC

The car is a 1958 356A...

I've always loved those door pockets. They would look great at the bottom of 911 RS panels.

[WPOZZZ]

That car is stunning.

[carlosR]

Wow, enjoy

[Reifle]

Once cleaned up and running that is one nice ride indeed!

[slow&rusty]

Wow..awesome story..amazing car and have fun blowing out the moth balls!

[OttoB]

If you're going ahead and doing all this work, I would think that your wife's cousin ought to sell it to you and at a good price to boot, since you've always shown an interest, and it seems as if she really has it as part of the furniture. I think it would be a shame if she places it for sale at the market price instead of ? to you - but let all of us know what happens and good luck!