1964 356C Restoration

[gregmporter]

I have been dying for a new project since I finished my 74 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet about a decade ago. I have been searching for a double cab, thing or 356. Every time a good candidate came along it either got snapped up before I could plunk down my money or after careful inspection it was evident the car was too far gone to warrant the cash required to restore it.

A couple months ago I found an interesting project through a friend of a friend of a friend. After a few weeks of pouring over a spreadsheet to see if the project would pencil out, we came to an agreement and I picked up the car along with the treasure trove of parts.

The car is a very complete coupe with all the sheet metal needed to replace the front end, pans, longitudinals and quite a few other sections. The motor and transaxle have already been rebuilt and are ready to be run. All the chrome parts have been refinished and all the fasteners have been cad plated.

It is missing the main harness, carpet set and a few other small pieces. I'll be updating this page as I make progress. I also post videos of the work on YouTube, so I'll paste links here if anyone wants to follow along.

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You Tube Channel w/vids of the car's progress
http://www.youtube.com/user/gregmporter

1974 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet
1964 356C Coupe (in progress)

[gregmporter]

Car heading to the barn in KC for short stint before I drag it to Colorado.
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You Tube Channel w/vids of the car's progress
http://www.youtube.com/user/gregmporter

1974 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet
1964 356C Coupe (in progress)

[gregmporter]

Car piled up with parts

Close up of the battery box... It badly needs to be replaced. Thankfully all the sheet metal for the repair is in the pile of parts.
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You Tube Channel w/vids of the car's progress
http://www.youtube.com/user/gregmporter

1974 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet
1964 356C Coupe (in progress)

[gregmporter]

Pics of the rotator I built. I was planning to use the rotisserie I built for my Ghia, but I lent it to someone and he never returned it (surprise). When I asked for it back he claimed it got stolen... No apology, no offer to pay for the material... Not what I expected from a VW person, but that's water under the bridge now.
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You Tube Channel w/vids of the car's progress
http://www.youtube.com/user/gregmporter

1974 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet
1964 356C Coupe (in progress)

[gregmporter]

Car on the Rotator and ready for metal replacement to begin
_________________
You Tube Channel w/vids of the car's progress
http://www.youtube.com/user/gregmporter

1974 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet
1964 356C Coupe (in progress)

[Chris in Utah]

Also have a 1964 356C project... similar condition. Thanks for sharing your progress and I should probably start a thread here too.

[gregmporter]

Yes! You should start a thread as well... I would love to follow along!
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You Tube Channel w/vids of the car's progress
http://www.youtube.com/user/gregmporter

1974 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet
1964 356C Coupe (in progress)

[gregmporter]

A couple close up "before" pics after I cut out the worst of the rot.

Longitudinal area

Rear Closing Panel

Bottom of the B-Pillar
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You Tube Channel w/vids of the car's progress
http://www.youtube.com/user/gregmporter

1974 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet
1964 356C Coupe (in progress)

[gregmporter]

Some progress. I'm missing a few pics of the heater system.

_________________
You Tube Channel w/vids of the car's progress
http://www.youtube.com/user/gregmporter

1974 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet
1964 356C Coupe (in progress)

[Steve F]

Well done!!

[gregmporter]

Work on the doors.

_________________
You Tube Channel w/vids of the car's progress
http://www.youtube.com/user/gregmporter

1974 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet
1964 356C Coupe (in progress)

[ottovu]

WoW! What a job that will be! But when its done, you will love it! Great cars, totally drivable.

[gregmporter]

[Bulli Klinik]

Glad to see my rack being put to good use!

[Bulli Klinik]

OP, You've got your work cut out for you. I've been there on multiple 356's. Yours looks almost as bad as the 56 I'm currently working on. If you need any photos of mystery areas on your car, let me know. I have comprehensive photos of the 356 I've metalworked over the years.

I also might have a few leftover panels from prior jobs. I'm in Colorado Springs.
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I've never met a Bus I didn't like.
Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs

[gregmporter]

Longitudinal Clamped and fit up

Longitudinal closed up

Rear of Longitudinal

Front closing panel getting welded in

B-Pillar getting ready for repair

B-Pillar welded in
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You Tube Channel w/vids of the car's progress
http://www.youtube.com/user/gregmporter

1974 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet
1964 356C Coupe (in progress)

[gregmporter]

Short Sill Cleco'd in place

Short Sill Welded in

Front Closing Panel Cleco'd in place

Front Closing Panel Welded in
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You Tube Channel w/vids of the car's progress
http://www.youtube.com/user/gregmporter

1974 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet
1964 356C Coupe (in progress)

[gregmporter]

I'm pretty much wrapped up with the structural repairs on the driver's side. I am going to hang the Outer Rocker Skin next, then I'll start in on the passenger side. The PO started repairs on that side already, so I'll have a running start.

Jack Points welded in

Rear Closing panel installed. I still need to fab and weld the wheel well extension to cover the top edge of this panel.
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You Tube Channel w/vids of the car's progress
http://www.youtube.com/user/gregmporter

1974 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet
1964 356C Coupe (in progress)

[Chris in Utah]