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Sat Feb 22, 2025 1:12 am

Now time for electricity,
I used a main wiring from a 67 beetle (front to rear), for the rest of the wiring I used some second hand wiring that I could rescued from a real 1957 356 Speedster that we retsored at the shop and the main wiring cable from a 74 VW T2 that we also restore at the shop ;-)

Having working taillights was not easy, as I only have a 3 wires turn signal switch and 2 wires taillights..
I first found a wiring schema on this forum, using 4 relays to manage the light/brake/turn system but it didn't worked ....so I finally ordered a trailer 3 to 2 wire module from Hopkins and for instance it works, as far as the battery has more than 12V !! Otherwise not...

Everything is not definitive concerning these wiring arrangement and some connections

I tried to copy the 356 braces that support the fender and where the headlight wires go thru...

The pedal assembly,
As I will add the wood plate behing the pedals, I needed a straight clutch pedal , and I also needed to replace the pedal pads with the correct one, I replaced the pads support plates.

The headlight switch is fitted there so I can rest my left foot without switching high beams...

Sat Feb 22, 2025 1:32 am

The rear hood was a pain to set properly but it's nearly completed, needs only a little adjusment. I used real hood latches, they are so easy to deal with while opening and closing...

The engine will look alike, a 1915cc is under construction so I borrowed a 1600 from a friend to make the first tests...
Weber 40 with Flat 4 air cleaner, new 90mm 12V generator with a fake regulator, ....
It's not its definitive looking, pulley is already replaced and some other parts will be replaced on the final engine.

I bought this early oil filler cap from a good friend The BO$$, who has a wonderfull Samba Barn for those who know him.

some wiring and working turn signal...

The speedo and tacho are under construction, I need the faces to be printed ....

Sat Feb 22, 2025 1:35 am

just for the eyes pleasure....

Sat Feb 22, 2025 1:39 am

When I told you that nothing is right on this kit....

These two areas are correted, still some work on the left side... :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Sat Feb 22, 2025 2:01 am

"The most well known kit sold in Europe comes from Speedster Clinic but is based on a 1955 body and there are some imperfection, but another kit based on a real 53 is now out of the mold...unfortunately still not a body bumper...
The price is also an obstacle, due to the famous Brexit, now taxes and VAT are due making the price rising around 14-15.000 euros ..."

Brexit does not effect final price as it will be sold as an export so UK retail less the 20% for uk vat, and there are no tariffs on all goods between the UK and Europe (TCA 2021) including car duty.

And then when the goods arrive in their final destination you are charged vat. You could actually save 3% if you have it delivered to Luxembourg as VAT is 17%

Sat Feb 22, 2025 4:57 am

On reconnait enfin le repreneur de la firme Tupperware ! ;) <3
Incroyable boulot, un plaisir pour les yeux et l'esprit ! :shock: <3
Keep Going ! :lol:

Sat Feb 22, 2025 11:45 am

Love the updates, what a nice project !

Antoine

Thu Feb 27, 2025 7:12 am

Your build is so impressive !! i love the fact you are prepared to take the time to get every detail spot on. It will pay off when it is finished.

I too used the Mini wiper system. It works really well and fits nicely but I do have a question - I ended up using Mini wiper arms, which I shortened, but I would have liked to fit original 356 arms. I couldn’t because the splines on the spindles & fitting are very different. I am curious if you managed to overcome this problem? And if so how?

Thanks!

Thu Feb 27, 2025 1:13 pm

Hello, thanks...
So, concerning the wipers, I bought the nearly correct wiper blades and arms, ....the wiper axles are from Car Builder Solutions, see it on the picture, I choose the long sleeve with adapter that I removed and I shortened the axles...
I don t know which year wiper arms you want to fit but this solution worked for my application

Once shortened...

Thu Feb 27, 2025 1:16 pm

TRS63 wrote: Love the updates, what a nice project !

Antoine

Thanks Antoine :wink:

Fri Apr 04, 2025 10:01 am

Thanks for the detailed “How To” Antoine. Car Builder Solutions is only 15km from me so I will check out the spindles. It’ll make my plastic 356 a little bit more authentic!! Thanks

Fri Apr 04, 2025 12:28 pm

ghiachimp wrote: Thanks for the detailed “How To” Antoine. Car Builder Solutions is only 15km from me so I will check out the spindles. It’ll make my plastic 356 a little bit more authentic!! Thanks

You're welcome,

David (not Antoine) :lol: :wink:

Thu May 01, 2025 4:14 am

I had to dig around to find my damn password for TS as I haven't been on here in years and I just HAD to comment. Greetings from South Africa, I love what you're doing and the detail that you're putting into it. Beautiful.

I'm building a replica on a 1955 Carrera Speedster (changeover year, so it allows a lot of freehanded decisions, lol) and I have to say when replicating a certain model and certain year, it makes building the car and collecting the parts a million times easier as you have actual direction.

I'm about to finally finish the front of the car as I have been cutting out everything to get it lower and to get as much OEM parts in there as possible. Ps, spare wheel is like that because of a radiator up front to cool what's in the back.

Love threads like this. Keep it up.

- G

Mon Aug 04, 2025 5:39 am

Any news here ? I really like your project!
Bests
Antoine

Wed Aug 06, 2025 10:28 pm

Hello Antoine,

The 356 project is on stand by ... I had to change my mind to avoid a burn out :lol:

I bought a 77 Dodge B200, shaggy Van, that needed some wheels, cosmetic with a big polish of the body and now a new interior.

But I will return soon to the 356 as I plan to go on holiday with it next summer, bare metal...or bare bondo should I say ..so the heat of south of France would bake the fiberglass, resin, bondo, primer,.... so it will be ready for paint when returning home...
Best
Regards
David

Wed Aug 13, 2025 3:49 am

Oh Noooooooooes, sorry to hear about the projected burn out. Glad that it was caught in time though. As long as the build isn't going anywhere that's the important part. Good luck.