1958 356A Speedster Replica

[flatfourfan]

Good work Rog.

Yup, the shifter bush can only be accessed by making an inspection plate. My damn radiator has to come out if I want to do it......lol.

[white_356]

Hi Firebird,

I hope that the car you spotted is the one I'm thinking of.

Around 2003/4 I was a member of the Spyder/Speedster Club of Gauteng.

A fellow member, Julian, drove a black Speedster replica, which was the best, closest to perfect replica I've ever seen. He and his father built the car and travelled to Germany etc to source parts, trims and accessories similar to the luggage rack on the back.

They even researched the original paint codes for items like the seat rails etc (gray/beige color) and sprayed the car and components as close to an original as you can get.

He left the club and the last I heard was that the car was standing at a showroom up for sale. During a burglary the cons apparently threw a steel manhole cover through the shop window, which landed on the car and damaged the front and windscreen badly. And that’s the last I've heard from that car.

Always wondered what happened to it.

Really hope that this is the same car.

[flatfourfan]

^^^^ nah, the black one belongs to Manny, he's built it from the ground up himself.

[Firebird]

Hi

You have a really detailed thread here. I love what you are doing with this car, it is going to be a real head turner. I noticed you have a Wolfsburg gear knob which I suspect you will be replacing with a Porsche one. Would you be interested in selling it?

Thanks very much
I do have a replacement for the gear knob. I will replace it at some point. PM me and we can chat about the Wolfsburg one

[acpaterson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re-JiUdwYMI

here is a (very long winded vomit cam/ Blair witch style) video of the guy doing the replacement.
Very helpful. The guy even discusses how to correctly align the shift gate under the gear lever when re fitting everything. Based on his guidelines my gear lever has been out of alignment for years

I have been planning to modify the battery area in my car to make space for the battery and spare wheel. This will involve cutting away a panel that is directly in front of the front inspection plate. With this boot replacement in mind, I think I will make the replacement panel removable in case I need to move the shifter rod forward for maintenance again. I am kinda glad about this because it provides further justification for the modification

Roger, I'm going to do this as well. No need to completely remove the shaft, so also going to make a plan to replace mine, and the rear linkage and cage etc. Can only improve the whole experience hey.. Besides, mine's on it's way. I can go from 3rd to reverse easy.. So the bush MUST be shot. Hope Shelleys have stock.

regards

Alan

[Firebird]

Are you going to take the body off the pan?

[IMPI]

Hi Roger
No need to take the body off. If you cut a round hole about 70mm with a hole saw just behind the battery you should be able to move the gearshift shaft forward enough to clear the bushing area it is still a fiddly fix but not so bad. the hole can be covered by a fence pole capping plate from your local hardware after finishing the job
Armand

[acpaterson]

I don't need to take the body off. I can see the rear linkage point under my carpeting. There's a round hole there already on mine.

[Firebird]

Changing the rear linkage is not a problem, I did that this weekend. It's the front one that looks like the mission to change. You have to slide the gear linkage tube all the way up the tunnel until the rear part is all the way at the hole where the gear lever goes into the tunnel. Then you carefully put on the new boot and slide the whole mess down again. I thought about putting it on at the rear hole and pulling it up with string or something but the boot locates into a feature and can't be pushed in from the back.

[acpaterson]

I hear you.. I'm going to do it the same as that dude in the Video.. seems easiest way, and certainly do-able.. I mean, the link itself is about 60 or 70 cm's long, not too long, and seems a simple enough process in my opinion.. If I get the new bush, I'm going to do it. Will also do a gopro vid possibly.

regards

Alan

[Firebird]

I don't think we can do it the same way as the guy in the video. His car was an SP which apparently has a longer tunnel because if the front suspension.

It would be cool if we can do it that way, maybe we can because we have replicas and the whole rear assembly has been shortened

[acpaterson]

I didn't consider that.. But I'm hoping as you said the lot's been shorted. Well, only one way to find out I guess.

[acpaterson]

Revert to my thread for this repair.. It's a NIGHTMARE!

[Firebird]

I saw that. looks like a mission. I still need to collect the boot from Volkspares then the carnage will begin at my place. After reading your post I am really not looking fwd to it

[acpaterson]

Howzit,
So what's news with you\your car?