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macbuick
Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2004
Posts: 65
Location: Belgium Namur
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 Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 3:11 am Post subject: 1950 356 Coupe replica |
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I saw this 1950 Prea in Hessich last year and fell in love with it.
The price being stratospheric for these kind of cars, I started looking for a replica ....it should be a specific 50 body-bumper year.
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 ...
A friend of mine sent me an ad of a body bumper kit for sale in south of France...this kit was also for sale on TheSamba few years ago...
One car has been assembled and is the propriety of Jacky Morel, this kit was molded by Etienne Bossut a famous artist playing with polyester, he is the brother of Bruno Bossut who had the SIMILI shop some years ago, many years ago... remember the famous split kit for beetles with the complete roof ? He also was a Manx buggy builder under license from Bruce in the mid 90's.
Jacky's 356
So we went to the south and bought 2 bodies...
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64 Traditional Cal-Look
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NEW PROJECT : 1950 PORSCHE 356 COUPE PRE A REPLICA
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=...Y#10178536
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EVfun
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012
Posts: 5751
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 12:42 pm Post subject: Re: 1950 356 Coupe replica |
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I'm looking forward to seeing this build. I've wanted a Hebmuller replica myself, perhaps built with an oval window dash so I wouldn't invite hate when I finished it up Cal-Look style.
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| Wildthings wrote: |
| As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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macbuick
Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2004
Posts: 65
Location: Belgium Namur
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macbuick
Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2004
Posts: 65
Location: Belgium Namur
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macbuick
Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2004
Posts: 65
Location: Belgium Namur
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| Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 7:51 am Post subject: Re: 1950 356 Coupe replica |
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Chassis is laser leveled
then the body is checked....and is not level, you can see it at the lower rear window corner.
right side
left side
so the front is neither...
I lift the right side of the body to align the windows openings with the laser
then I need to cut the lower section to rise the body by filling the hole from rear right side to front left side
then the front right fender was too high , so I had to remove a slice of polyester starting from the left front to the right base of the windshield...
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64 Traditional Cal-Look
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=787811&highlight=
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NEW PROJECT : 1950 PORSCHE 356 COUPE PRE A REPLICA
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=...Y#10178536
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Last edited by macbuick on Sun Jan 14, 2024 5:54 am; edited 1 time in total |
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macbuick
Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2004
Posts: 65
Location: Belgium Namur
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| Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 8:30 am Post subject: Re: 1950 356 Coupe replica |
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Collecting parts :
oval model steering column
square door handles come empty , I had to buy locks and keys ...800euros
steering wheel, center horn will be replaced or painted
turn signal
light switch
black gearknob
some parts for the dashboard
16" wheels are new repro odered in California, tyres are Heidenau 5.50-16
Taillights are Hella lights with PreA lenses
real PreA ashtray
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64 Traditional Cal-Look
63 Apal Jet :
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=787811&highlight=
https://apaljet.blogspot.com/
NEW PROJECT : 1950 PORSCHE 356 COUPE PRE A REPLICA
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=...Y#10178536
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EverettB 
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Joined: April 11, 2000
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Location: Phoenix 602
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finster
Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2012
Posts: 8871
Location: north o' the border
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| Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 9:04 am Post subject: Re: 1950 356 Coupe replica |
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how would you say the cost compares to the speedster-clinic bodies? also, what framework supports the body? I do like the fact that speedster-clinic offer a new floorpan structure option.
I agree with the high costs of kits. built kits advertised for £25 - 40k 
especially as lower end real 356s are £70 - 80K
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macbuick
Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2004
Posts: 65
Location: Belgium Namur
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| Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 11:06 am Post subject: Re: 1950 356 Coupe replica |
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| finster wrote: |
how would you say the cost compares to the speedster-clinic bodies? also, what framework supports the body? I do like the fact that speedster-clinic offer a new floorpan structure option.
I agree with the high costs of kits. built kits advertised for £25 - 40k
especially as lower end real 356s are £70 - 80K |
I ve never saw a Speedster Clinic body in real so concerning the quality of the build, I can't tell
But I hope that the finish of the SC body is good as far as the price is higher.
I was looking for a body bumper replica, I first saw the SC replica but the shape of some parts of the body was "strange" around the headlights (price is 9400£) but I talked with the owner and he offers now a second Pre A body based on a 53 I think.. with more conform shape,...(price is higher than the first one) so still not body bumper otherwise than by modifying the front and rear aprons of the car.
Living in Belgium, if I had to buy a SC kit from UK, I would have to pay the shipping and the import taxes, + money conversion, thanks to the BREXIT !
So I think I finally paid the french kit half price of the UK one.
On this kit there is no framework included... I have fitted beetle convertible reinforcement rails, I have also framework to support the door hinges that will be linked by a tubular supports under the dashboard and connected to the front beam. I will post pictures when done.
Concerning the final cost compared to a real 356, we have a BT5 for sale at the shop at 85.000 euros, a replica is half the price...and you can improve the mechanic with better parts than on a real one...it's also better if you make an outlaw...but I would have never been interested into building something else than a Body Bumper PreA...
Th first Speedster Clinic body, look around the headlights compared to a real 356
The new Speedster Clinic body
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NEW PROJECT : 1950 PORSCHE 356 COUPE PRE A REPLICA
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=...Y#10178536
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macbuick
Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2004
Posts: 65
Location: Belgium Namur
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| Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 11:36 am Post subject: Re: 1950 356 Coupe replica |
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| EverettB wrote: |
Nice progress.
It's cool to see you are using lots of original parts too. Expensive! $$$ |
Hello Everett, thanks.
Yes some parts are quite expensive ! 
Here are some prices quotes :
These are my taillights, 190€ for the 2 lights, 40€ for the Pre A glasses + 2 bulb connectors for dual filament 8 €
compared to real Pre A taillights = +-2500$
The real idiot lights are 120€ piece, I bought 2 for 20€ at the Autotechnica swapmeet in Essen, Germany.
The split windshield in 2 pieces for a 50-52 is 1100€, I bought a bent one and will fit a fake vertical rubber, price new is 450€
Rear window is a real one (a second hand) as the new ones have defrost = 450€
Front hood handle is a replica costs a little less than 400€
I had to buy real door latches because beetles or other models don't fit as the body is a replica of a real one...not enough space between the door and the body : 1000€ pair
The window frame are also necessary, they usually cost +- 1400-1600€ a pair needing new chrome...
I found a left needing welding for 250€ and a right one for 120€ it's a BT5 but can be modified to look like a one piece window frame with some welding...
The chassis, front beam and 8x31 gearbox were free as I bought worn 1300S beetle for 750€ and sold all the useless parts
yes.... this used to be 1300S model, special serie in Belgium and some other countries called Opération Corail or GT Beetle in UK.
https://www.flat4ever.com/1972-1973-les-coccinelles-series-speciales-1300s/
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64 Traditional Cal-Look
63 Apal Jet :
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=787811&highlight=
https://apaljet.blogspot.com/
NEW PROJECT : 1950 PORSCHE 356 COUPE PRE A REPLICA
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=...Y#10178536
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BIGMIKEY
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2007
Posts: 1120
Location: North East Pennsylvania
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macbuick
Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2004
Posts: 65
Location: Belgium Namur
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| Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2024 10:52 am Post subject: Re: 1950 356 Coupe replica |
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Next to another 356, an ...Envemo Super 90, replica from Brazil.
The rear wheels arches will need to be modified, they have been molded too high  , I have to lower them to suit a PreA model...
Another modification I will have to do is the rocker panels, on a 50 model they are very low, lower than 51 and after, so I will use a repair panel from a Split T2 as a mold.
You can see here that the rocker panel is higher and also not very straight....
testing some wheels...
door hinges reinforcements..
they will be connected to the convertible reinforcements
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64 Traditional Cal-Look
63 Apal Jet :
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=787811&highlight=
https://apaljet.blogspot.com/
NEW PROJECT : 1950 PORSCHE 356 COUPE PRE A REPLICA
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=...Y#10178536
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macbuick
Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2004
Posts: 65
Location: Belgium Namur
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| Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 11:03 am Post subject: Re: 1950 356 Coupe replica |
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Today's job...
the left door skin was incorrectly bonded to the door frame, the skin fitted nicely in the door opening but the frame was way too far to the rear , so I had to separate the two. The door latch wouldn't fit between the door and the body...not enough space and too much space in front of the door
then it was time to grind all the unecessary fiberglass form the frame and the skin to prepare nice surfaces to bond them again together.Nice weather to do that kind of job ....where is the summer ??
once on the car
I don't know why but the result of this separation has leaded to the front part of the frame door not being aligned anymore to the A pillar...it was before !!!, so I had to cut the fiberglass and will had to add some fiber.... !
now the rear of the frame is far away from the B pillar...and the door latch fits
Talking about the door latch...I received the new door latch receivers ....but looks like I will have some grinding to match them together ...
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64 Traditional Cal-Look
63 Apal Jet :
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=787811&highlight=
https://apaljet.blogspot.com/
NEW PROJECT : 1950 PORSCHE 356 COUPE PRE A REPLICA
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=...Y#10178536
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Spacecowboyuk
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2017
Posts: 1
Location: England
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| Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2024 12:35 pm Post subject: Re: 1950 356 Coupe replica |
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Really enjoying this build. Keep it coming  |
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macbuick
Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2004
Posts: 65
Location: Belgium Namur
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| Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2024 1:11 pm Post subject: Re: 1950 356 Coupe replica |
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The window frames are repaired
The left one is a one piece window PreA one which is broken at the front angle :
The right come is a recent one which had a window deflector, the deflectors holes has to be welded and the front leg has to be lengthned as is it too short
Window frames are made of brass, not steel....
the left one
the right one
as finding a "U" shaped brass piece of metal was too hard, we used 2 "L" shaped welded together.
New deflectors
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64 Traditional Cal-Look
63 Apal Jet :
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NEW PROJECT : 1950 PORSCHE 356 COUPE PRE A REPLICA
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=...Y#10178536
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macbuick
Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2004
Posts: 65
Location: Belgium Namur
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macbuick
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Posts: 65
Location: Belgium Namur
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inktorob
Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2017
Posts: 2
Location: Chelmsford, Essex, UK
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| Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2024 3:45 am Post subject: Re: 1950 356 Coupe replica |
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Hi, Great to see someone else building a Pre A 356. I have been building a Speedster Clinic car for the last 5 years or so and am now nearly completed. I have a build thread on DDK under Replicas Burnt Pig if you want to see my journey, but can recognise some of the problems you are facing... I will watch your journey as I hope to be driving mine in a few months... keep up the great progress.
https://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=58663
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ghiachimp
Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2006
Posts: 65
Location: Kent, UK
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| Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2024 7:35 am Post subject: Re: 1950 356 Coupe replica |
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Macbuick, your project is going to be a thing of beauty when it is finished. It's the details that make the difference.
Here's a photo of my Speedster Clinic Coupe rep. I started in April 2017 and more of less finished it October 2023. I still need to fit a better carpet but otherwise it is done!
Plenty of blood, sweat and tears but worth the final result!
Since this photo I have swapped out the headlamps for Bosch fluted lenses.
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macbuick
Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2004
Posts: 65
Location: Belgium Namur
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| Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2024 10:45 am Post subject: Re: 1950 356 Coupe replica |
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| ghiachimp wrote: |
Macbuick, your project is going to be a thing of beauty when it is finished. It's the details that make the difference.
Here's a photo of my Speedster Clinic Coupe rep. I started in April 2017 and more of less finished it October 2023. I still need to fit a better carpet but otherwise it is done!
Plenty of blood, sweat and tears but worth the final result!
Since this photo I have swapped out the headlamps for Bosch fluted lenses.
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Whow what a nice car, the best thing is that you can't tell it's a replica ! Do you have a threadbuild somewhere to see the evolution ?
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63 Apal Jet :
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NEW PROJECT : 1950 PORSCHE 356 COUPE PRE A REPLICA
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=...Y#10178536
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