Home at Last

[Superman]

Indeed, a gentleman and a scholar. And sailor and statesman.

I think that notchback 356 should go on a road trip. Ain't that many moving parts, and they've all been refurbished. Chart a course from Pelicanhead to Pelicanhead, across America, and lead a parade. RoninLB would probably join, and he'd be a hoot. Others would too. There'd be a hero's welcome in every town. Think of all those free beers, Paul. Just think......

Someday.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Excellent news, Paul! I hope I see your 356 Notch one of these days. I hope you bring to next year's PCA Potomac Gathering of the Faithful (in Sept). Lots of bathtubs there.

I re-joined the Potomac region of the PCA last week. You may need to take a little trip south one of these days

Originally Posted by nostatic

I couldn't slide a Steely Dan reference by you with a Stealth Fighter

I love the song and the video was great. Thanks.

[Dottore]

Congratulations on getting her home. I think you are going to be very happy together.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I re-joined the Potomac region of the PCA last week. You may need to take a little trip south one of these days

Yep, that sounds great, Paul.

[Seahawk]

I thought I would offer an update, my impressions of the car, etc. after a week or so and almost 700 miles of driving. While I owned a ratty 356 for a few month or so in the '80s, this is for all intents my first 356.

First of all, Denis did a wonderful job. Thank you.

Getting in the car took some practice, but I now have a modified Monkey Roll that works like a champ.

Once inside, the car is surprisingly roomy. I went for a drive with my good friend who owns the Stovebolt website (old Chevy trucks, the PP of that genre) but who is also is a died in the wool 356 guy. Two 6' plus knuckleheads were comfy.

The sound.

It is more modern than I thought it would be for a 50 year old car. It scoots. I never feel underpowered. Quite a compliment.

It is tiny. I always drive with the headlights on, am hyper attentive to traffic and have to plan much father ahead than when I am driving my Ford F-150. I enjoy the process.

The drum brakes are excellent.

The transmission is outstanding.

Cornering is very good for the tires...I'm getting more comfortable carrying power into corners and trusting the car.

Getting out of the car is a comedy.

Again, thanks to all. Picture from Cali:

[speeder]

Glad you're having fun with it, it really is a good car. I've never driven one completely stock but with a "big bore" kit, the torque is excellent. (86mm pistons). It never has a problem keeping up w/ traffic. I never pushed the handling because I don't know how one would throttle-steer a 356, (swing axles and <100hp), I know that it's somehow possible but did not want to learn on your car.

At speeds under the limits of adhesion, a lot of fun is available and this can still be quite fast. Like a 911, nothing can touch it on really tight twisty turns unless it's another car that weights under 2k lbs. You never, NEVER want to put larger or stickier tires on one of those cars. With swing axles, there is the possibility of *jacking* if the outside rear tire "bites" in a fast corner and then you will have sudden/extreme positive camber and the car will be the one doing a monkey roll. When they raced them back in the day on bias-ply tires 4" wide, it was like sailboat racing in terms of grip. You had some really skilled *drifters*.

[azasadny]

Paul,
I'm glad you're enjoying the car! I've never sat in one, but I imagine that it would be "interesting" trying to get in/out of it.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by azasadny

Paul,
I'm glad you're enjoying the car! I've never sat in one, but I imagine that it would be "interesting" trying to get in/out of it.

Monkey Roll my Navy brother, Monkey Roll

And to be frank, the two big disappointments on not driving the car back was not getting some time with you and Supe.

I'll fix that.

[Zeke]

I like them stock or close to stock, but the suspension can be tweaked for bigger wheels and tires. Two things that will keep the swing axle design tame is a bigger sway bar and shocks valved to limit rebound. Oh, you could add in much lower with negative camber and all that, but now you're in outlaw country. And probably out of the comfort zone.

Paul, glad you're getting some seat time before the weather goes South.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Paul, glad you're getting some seat time before the weather goes South.

I'm going to head out again in a few minutes: 55 degrees, sunny.

I am having a great deal of fun running the same rural, very twisty roads at different speeds and approaches. 10 mile stretches.

I am a much better pilot than I am a driver so I'm learning the car in stages.

There is no substitute for seat time.