My 356. Now sold.

[acpaterson]

Hi guys,

just to repair the thread slightly, this is about my VERY lucky acquisition of my 356 Speedster, which has been a 30 plus year long obsession of mine. I apperently 'bitched" a lot about the current pricing and going rates of 2nd hand ones earlier on in the year, but managed to source this one for a reasonable price, and road freghted him back down to Cape Town. This thread will be about the fixing up of my very own 356 Speedster.



regards

Alan

[buggyfan]

CONGRATULATIONS

Where did you buy it from as it looks like the 1 that was driving around my neighbourhood??

[Loopy]

Congrats! That is a beaut!

[Dutch_Diver]

Lovely....would love a 356!

[splitfan]

I Like !

[acpaterson]

Thanks guys. It does look very nice in this Pic.. It's going to need a lot of cleaning up done, and probably a respray and roof replacement besides some other things. There are some hairline paint cracks around the rear which you can"t see in this Pic, and the roof is a 2nd hand job done with shiny vinyl, terrible actually. I'm probably going the tan or cream route, incl the Interior. Matches the Red car well.
Also will either have to refurb the lights and fittings front and rear, and other brightwork, or replace with new fabricated stuff from flatfourfan and so on. And then the Motor will be cosmetically cleaned up, but I'd like to bolt on a pair of IDA's just for some decent response. So if anyone's got a pair for sale, please let me know.

Now to juggle the deal and flights and road transport and payment in the next 3 days from JHB.

Al

[Tony Z]

good luck finding IDA's
has it got an engine big enough for them?

Car does look good.
You can only name her once you get her....

[riaanj]

Yoh!
That looks nice boet, congrats! Good luck with the tidying up of the car, remember to keep the pics coming..

[acpaterson]

Thanks Tony, Riaan,
Tony, your engine rebuild was mind-blowing.. very nice.. This I believe is a standard 1600 Twin port, but as we know, easiest method for bolt on power is a better Carb kit. These long intakes and small solex setup was a daft concept originally, so anything closer to the Combustion Chamber will also breathe better. Doesn't have to be Weber's, could be Dellorto's.. Some peeps have such bits lying around in their cupboards. I'll give you valuable printed paper for a pair with a linkage, etc.. lol..

And this is DEF not a she, refuse to name my cars or bikes after women.. Then they become too temperamental.. lol..

[Tony Z]

Thanks for the compliment.

In that case, you are looking for IDF's, not IDA's.
IDA's are monsters and going price is around 10K each. Better suited to engines of 2.2 liters and bigger and mostly for all out power
The IDF is a street carb and works very well on the street.

Easiest power... carbs, exhaust, compression and headwork.

[Bossie2004]

Congrats ACPat, and welcome to the "356 CLUB", they are awesome little machines to drive and treasure. Many Happy Miles...

[acpaterson]

Thanks Bossie,

this has been coming for at least 30 years actually..
History 101.
'80 or '81 - Get damaged beetle, convert into super cool Baja in JHB Southern Suburbs. Even DIY Convertable conversion done. Sell that car around '86.
Sometime '89 or '90, buy a bad condition 718 Spyder in Durban. No access to workshop tc, so eventually sell it as a bad idea.
'94, Cape Town, get VERY lucky and WIN a brand new 718 Spyder off the back of a Kellogs All Bran Box. (Draw was shown on DSTV back then.. ) Mommy very preggie, so sell that one and buy a house in Tableview.
'98 or so, buy another dented Beetle, convert to 1835cc Lime Green Street Rod. Awesome little car, but I have a personal family issue, and semi-destroy the car, sell it and move on.

And now, kids finished school, Ive been playing with motorbikes, but always had an itch for a Speedster.. So started the hunt earlier this year, and picked up the Red one earlier this week.. So, once it's been road-freighted down here from JHB and it's in my name and my driveway, then it'll be "full circle" for me..

regards

Alan

[jolas]

congrats on finding your dream car - all good things come to those who wait

[acpaterson]

Thanks Jolas, jaa very excited.
I've noticed not many other Speedster owners here from Cape Town.. Rabid Ant sold his, so it's quiet in this sector from Cape Town for sure. Have spent HOURS online and got a huge collection of images for reference purposes. My entire Interior and Dash will be getting a makeoever, colour will be Tan. I have an old man down here who did some custom Seats for my old Cafe Racer Bikes, hopefully he can assist with the Seatwork etc. Roof, I'm wanting a replacement as the roof on this one doesn't look good. (Gloss Black). But don't see myself spending the Money they ask from Universal for a new Roof.. Possibly they have a "material only" option for people with existing cars etc, dunno, will have to find out. Otherwise will see if this chap here can do a better looking roof. I also want a Tan flat cover which covers the rear and passenger seat when no one else is in the car made. Will create a thread in the "projects" section when I eventually get started.

But excited's an understatement right now..

regards

Alan

[white_356]

Stunning car. Congrats.

Reply sent to your PM.