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Douglas Denlinger Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 1382 Location: Arizona's version of the east coast
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Posted: Tue May 14, 2013 8:22 am Post subject: Introduction |
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An introduction of sorts, having been involved in collecting and restoring 23 window buses for past 25 years, naturally one gravitates to all mechanical things German. Along the way, 18 years ago, I picked up this 1958 A convertible.
Life tends to take over in many areas, purchasing a home, getting married, having kids......somehow we have managed to hold on to this car. So over the years the parts have been for the most part sorted and efforts taken to rebuild the original transmission, engine, brakes, interior, etc.
Now we are concentrating on the details, an interesting car with quite the Kardex....
Radio
Antenna
2 Schlummerrollen
Sonnenblende mit make up spiegel
Holzlankrad
RadzentralverschluBrader
Sicherheitsgurte f. 2 Sitze
S. B. Lampen
Recently we have been getting more aggressive at getting the car back on the road. Thanks to Brian Lum for his expertise.
So a few questions encountered along the way.
What is the correct color for the back of chrome Kronprinz 4 1/2 X 15 rims dated 3 of 58? Should the back of the rim be left the natural plating, or a specific paint color?
We plan on running these on a daily basis rather than the rudge rims.
Which also leads to the next question, what is the correct color for the back of
the chrome Kronprinz rudge rims?
Also recommendations on who to restore the knockoff's? Just the knockoff the rims are fantastic.
Further.....advice on the best tires for the rudge rims??
As you can tell one of the rims has a different "color", we would like to know which is correct. Not trying for a 100% concours car. However, we would like to get the details as close as possible. _________________ Transporter Restorations
Upholstery Haus
Active 23 Window Samba Collector/Restorer,since 1986
Last edited by Douglas Denlinger on Tue May 14, 2013 10:43 am; edited 3 times in total |
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Douglas Denlinger Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 1382 Location: Arizona's version of the east coast
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Posted: Tue May 14, 2013 8:53 am Post subject: |
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Also looking for a picture of the correct head light glass for a August of 1958 car. Any help greatly appreciated. _________________ Transporter Restorations
Upholstery Haus
Active 23 Window Samba Collector/Restorer,since 1986 |
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roy mawbey Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2012 Posts: 397 Location: Sussex England
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Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 4:25 am Post subject: |
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Douglas,
Attached two photos of my T2 1959 A Bosch headlamp glass.
My headlight glasses are probably original 1959 they are for certain 44 years old and I have no replacement invoices from the early 1960's.
The wheels were normally silver. I suppose the possibility existed for the factory to paint wheels to customers specification but when I laast removed my tyres from the knronprinz wheels for painting I tried to follow the wheel well original colour. I reckon someone painted the that wheel of course the cream colour?
There are a lot of different silver colours.
The headlamps are Bosch and my car was delivered into the UK. I know many USA cars had sealed beam you might need to check the Bosch UK and USA versions are the same? Mine are of course not sealed beam.
Like the look of your 356A cab it looks very nice indeed.
Cheers
Roy _________________ Roy
RHD356A super75 106954 |
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MMW Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2012 Posts: 846 Location: northern NJ
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Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 5:20 am Post subject: |
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Tried to take some pics of mine last night but with the flash it didn't work to well. Then I realized that I have to different lens. Both Hella, both look the same except for the numbers. They look very different from Roy's. I'll try to get some pics in the daylight later. Of course I can't confirm that either one is original, production date Dec. 22 1958.
Yes you do have a nice looking car. _________________ Mic
1959 356 coupe
Missing the original engine 72488
Update - third pc. found!
Now just need the case halves.
1965 fenderless beetle |
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Douglas Denlinger Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 1382 Location: Arizona's version of the east coast
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Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 9:23 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Roy and Mic,
We've been very fortunate that the car was very accident and rust free when found.
So since Porsche is not my primary car that I work on I have questions about the correctness of parts. Also looking for a few parts that should be replaced during the reassembly....like OG tail light housings.....I want full reflectivity so no one rear ends the car.
It been a journey just collecting parts and learning about the car, I'm sure looking forward to driving it again. _________________ Transporter Restorations
Upholstery Haus
Active 23 Window Samba Collector/Restorer,since 1986
Last edited by Douglas Denlinger on Wed Aug 09, 2017 10:28 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Wiggy Samba Member
Joined: April 17, 2003 Posts: 6601 Location: Downingtown, PA
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Douglas Denlinger Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 1382 Location: Arizona's version of the east coast
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Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 12:58 pm Post subject: |
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Finally on the road test rims.........18 years......... in the making.
_________________ Transporter Restorations
Upholstery Haus
Active 23 Window Samba Collector/Restorer,since 1986
Last edited by Douglas Denlinger on Tue Jun 18, 2013 8:54 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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_Trevor_ Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2010 Posts: 103 Location: San Clemente, CA
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roy mawbey Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2012 Posts: 397 Location: Sussex England
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Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 5:13 am Post subject: |
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Looks a great car. Well done!
Roy _________________ Roy
RHD356A super75 106954 |
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Douglas Denlinger Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 1382 Location: Arizona's version of the east coast
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Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 10:29 am Post subject: |
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Alright......road testing underway, first public display Saturday at Deluxe Customs in Tempe, AZ.
So, I'm thinking forward, to when the rudge rims will be fitted, so any experience on the best tires to wrap around the rims?
Thanks. _________________ Transporter Restorations
Upholstery Haus
Active 23 Window Samba Collector/Restorer,since 1986 |
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Jon Schmid Samba Member
Joined: May 29, 2012 Posts: 2038 Location: Southern California
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Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 8:31 pm Post subject: Introduction |
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If money is not an object, go with Vredesteins. |
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Douglas Denlinger Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 1382 Location: Arizona's version of the east coast
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Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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A few more original parts found their correct position on the car, tomorrow a few more, some touchups, polish, then a weekend filled with 356 action!
Thanks Jon, who distributes Vredesteins? _________________ Transporter Restorations
Upholstery Haus
Active 23 Window Samba Collector/Restorer,since 1986
Last edited by Douglas Denlinger on Thu May 01, 2014 7:39 am; edited 1 time in total |
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dsrtfox Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2009 Posts: 443 Location: Phoenix
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Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 11:11 pm Post subject: |
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I'll be there Saturday with my 56 coupe. See you then... |
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Jon Schmid Samba Member
Joined: May 29, 2012 Posts: 2038 Location: Southern California
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Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 9:12 am Post subject: Introduction |
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Hi Douglas,
You will find all kinds of retailers online. Vredesteins are great tires but unless you plan on driving a lot of miles or you are Lewis Hamilton in training you will be buying somewhat expensive tires that will "age" out before they wear out. I have found a more economical and still a good performance alternative in the 165 x 15 size in Nexen tires, available through Firestone dealers. Kumho apparently doesn't make that size any more so if anyone is still selling them you had better check the date code to see how old they are.
Good luck---
Jon |
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roy mawbey Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2012 Posts: 397 Location: Sussex England
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Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 3:06 am Post subject: |
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I have to agree with Jon. I bought Firestone F580 tyres over here in the UK and they have performed really well on my 356. Sure, I don't drive the car that fast these days but they really suit the car looks wise.
With the annual milage I do, they could last in theory 30 years but of course as Jon says they then might go really hard and crack on the sidewalls who knows? They do spend a lot of time out of sunlight in the garage which must help but they are already about 5 years old.
My Michelin X tyres I ran for over 20 years!!! Didn't know anything then about tyre life.
The Firestone tyres were really well medium priced tyres for me. Of course if you are a racer then spend the money
Roy _________________ Roy
RHD356A super75 106954 |
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Douglas Denlinger Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 1382 Location: Arizona's version of the east coast
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 2:15 pm Post subject: |
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I went with Dunlop Racing Tires for the rudge rims, I wanted something with the track look. For the regular steel rims Kumho.
Just about wrapped up with the car, however.....
I discovered that when installing the rudge rims that a "special" dust cover is required for the front hubs. Of importance to attach the speedometer cable.
So, does anyone have a spare? Or willing to loan one so I can reproduce one for the car? Even a picture with a few measurements?
Thanks _________________ Transporter Restorations
Upholstery Haus
Active 23 Window Samba Collector/Restorer,since 1986 |
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roy mawbey Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2012 Posts: 397 Location: Sussex England
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:16 am Post subject: |
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Douglas,
International Mercantile sell all the rubber parts for 356. The 356A has a rubber dust cover for the front wheel bearings From my catalog the code is M116 in the grommets/plugs/boots/ buffers section.
Look on their site for tghe item. I guess it must be the same as the standard dust cover I have on mine? I presume the Rudge adaptor has a counterbore to accept? Your car looks great, really nice.
http://www.im356-911.com/
Roy _________________ Roy
RHD356A super75 106954 |
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