Author Topic: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet  (Read 9297 times)

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Offline Greggo

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'51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« on: September 09, 2011, 01:10:34 PM »
This is my dad's project, he's had this car longer than I've been around.  It's an early 1951 Porsche Split Window Cabriolet, but not one of the '4 digit' cars.  This 'split window' has been the mythical creature of my childhood - my dad always talked about it, but I had never seen it.  It was always being worked on at a body shop in Ukiah, until the body guy died without painting the car...So, my dad and his shop partner hauled it back from Ukiah, and when I took these pictures yesterday, it was the first time I'd ever seen the car in person. 





Won't be done for a year or two, depending on a few factors, like parts.  Funny story my dad shared yesterday.  The car came with a VW transmission hooked up, and the original (blown) transmission in the back seat.  The shop partner, who can rebuild just about anything (including airplanes from scratch) went about rebuilding the original tranny, but the broken part was unobtainable.  Well, a VW transmission shop a few miles down the road had this part the owner could never figure out what it belonged in.  It looked just like a VW part he'd seen in countless transmissions, but it never fit right when he tried to install it...So, for years he used it as a doorstop!  That is, until my dad went there with the busted piece looking for a replacement.  When the shop owner saw what my dad had, and found out what it belonged in, he was so happy he gave the part to my dad for FREE.
 
« Last Edit: January 05, 2013, 08:14:58 PM by Greggo »

Offline tom8Toe

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Re: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2011, 01:15:04 PM »
Nice!!!! I can only fantasize about owning a car like that one day. A buddy of mine had a 'kit' in high school. We nicknamed it 'The Hot Tub'.
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Offline Greggo

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Re: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2011, 03:07:57 PM »
Dug up an example of what she'll look like when done.  It will be the original (not this) color - a slate gray with burgundy interior. 



Here's the color



It has a 'Glaser' body.


Hope nobody minds that I'm sharing this here, I know it's not a Honda  ;)
« Last Edit: June 24, 2012, 08:43:28 AM by Greggo »

Offline MoMo

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Re: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2011, 03:27:22 PM »
That is way cool, thanks for sharing the story...Larry

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2011, 09:35:53 PM »
Very cool mate. I nearly bought a very nice 356 kit car that had a Subaru 2 litre  engine in it..... ;)
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Offline FunJimmy

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Re: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2011, 06:25:24 PM »
Funny story my dad shared yesterday.  The car came with a VW transmission hooked up, and the original (blown) transmission in the back seat.  Ron, who can rebuild just about anything (including airplanes from scratch) went about rebuilding the original tranny, but the broken part was unobtainable.  Well, a VW transmission shop a few miles down the road had this part the owner could never figure out what it belonged in.  It looked just like a VW part he'd seen in countless transmissions, but it never fit right when he tried to install it...So, for years he used it as a doorstop!  That is, until my dad went there with the busted piece looking for a replacement.  When the shop owner saw what my dad had, and found out what it belonged in, he was so happy he gave the part to my dad for FREE.

Great story Gregg.
Awesome car too.
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Offline fastbroshi

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Re: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« Reply #6 on: May 05, 2012, 03:57:25 PM »
  Any update on the Porsche Greggo?  I guess just finding the parts probably makes your dad probaby want to make them himself.
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Offline Greggo

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Re: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« Reply #7 on: May 05, 2012, 04:07:34 PM »
  Any update on the Porsche Greggo?  I guess just finding the parts probably makes your dad probaby want to make them himself.

Broshi, not much progress as of late, at least nothing exciting looking.  The shop got busy again, which leaves little time for this project.  Believe me when I tell you that 90% of the parts needed have been made/will be made in house...hand fabricated.  Only about thirty of these split window cabs were ever produced, so 'unobtanium' doesn't begin to describe the parts situation.

Offline fastbroshi

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Re: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« Reply #8 on: May 05, 2012, 08:40:44 PM »
I'm not a Porschephile, but I knew this car was rare.  I had no idea it was that rare though.   The body looks like it's in good shape thankfully. 
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Offline flybox1

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Re: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« Reply #9 on: May 06, 2012, 07:54:09 AM »
Nice!!!! I can only fantasize about owning a car like that one day. A buddy of mine had a 'kit' in high school. We nicknamed it 'The Hot Tub'.
Holy ishtballs...I think we went to the same highschool! No joke....Hahahahaha.
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Offline Sdsbassist

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Re: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« Reply #10 on: July 06, 2012, 07:54:20 AM »
So did you guys actually go to the same high school?
Gus, Austin, MN.
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Offline flybox1

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Re: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« Reply #11 on: July 07, 2012, 06:28:56 PM »
Yuuup.  ;D
Just one year apart.
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
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Offline lostinthe202

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Re: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« Reply #12 on: July 08, 2012, 07:40:16 PM »
  Any update on the Porsche Greggo?  I guess just finding the parts probably makes your dad probaby want to make them himself.

.... Only about thirty of these split window cabs were ever produced, so 'unobtanium' doesn't begin to describe the parts situation.

Only thirty?!?!?!  Yikes!

How did your pop come across this unicorn?

Willy-
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Offline Greggo

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Re: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« Reply #13 on: July 08, 2012, 08:28:30 PM »
  Any update on the Porsche Greggo?  I guess just finding the parts probably makes your dad probaby want to make them himself.

.... Only about thirty of these split window cabs were ever produced, so 'unobtanium' doesn't begin to describe the parts situation.

Only thirty?!?!?!  Yikes!

How did your pop come across this unicorn?

Willy-

Willy, not really sure how they got it.  This car is around the 800th Porsche ever built.
« Last Edit: December 25, 2012, 08:19:27 AM by Greggo »

Offline Dimitri13

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Re: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« Reply #14 on: January 02, 2013, 11:57:59 AM »
Subscribed.

Here's a little motivation, Greggo.


Offline Greggo

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Re: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« Reply #15 on: January 02, 2013, 12:07:16 PM »
Nice!  That split window coupe ain't bad either ;)

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Re: '51 Porsche 356 Split Window Cabriolet
« Reply #16 on: January 05, 2013, 05:12:18 PM »
Oh, yeah!
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