This is part two of a series of Porsche Restoration posts covering the restoration of this 1953 Porsche 356 Cabriolet, taking us through the final paint and mechanical assembly of the body. The introduction post on this Porsche restoration – 356 Pre-A Cabriolet shows pictures of how the Porsche came to us, then after dismantle was complete, and then after the body was media blasted. Post two covered the beginning of the nose rebuild, leaving the new section TIG welded into position. Part three looked at how the rest of the front end of the Porsche was repaired. Part four described how the restoration of the floors and inside cab was accomplished. Part five showed the results of metal finishing all over, where the 356 Pre-A was ready for paint. Part six shows the (almost) final results, with the Pre-A mechanical assembly complete and in paint!
In the First step of Porsche Restoration, we removed the inner panel damage, recreated the cut out area, and then grafted in seamlessly. Next we metal finished the area, just like we would complete outer sheet metal repairs. Second, we formed the hood gutter shape, with the aid of a shrinker/stretcher, then again weld and metal finish.
Once these areas are honed in, we advanced to the glory part, making the outer skin. Since we have experience in Porsche 356 builds, creating the correct profile from the latter part of the hood down to the upper nose section comes naturally. Using our plannishing hammer to create shape in a blank piece of 12″x8″ steel, with profiles on hand, makes for an easy task.
We then cut in the section, using clecos for multiple fitments and defining, before TIG welding everything together.
Porsche Restoration: Photos of the damage to Porsche 356 Pre-A front end
What we see here is damage from an accident ‘back in the day.’
Plan view of the front end damage.
Internal panel damage was also result of the front end accident.
Porsche Restoration – 356 Pre-A: nose rebuilding begins
Surgery begins: first we cut away the damage in question.
Grafting in new material on the inner panel.
New section shaped on the plannishing hammer and held in position with clecos.
New panel section TIG welded into place on the Porsche body.
Porsche Restoration: Completed nose rebuilding photos
This is part two of a Porsche Restoration series of posts covering the restoration of this 1953 Porsche 356 Cabriolet, taking us through the final paint and mechanical assembly of the body. The introduction post on this Porsche restoration 356 Pre-A shows pictures of how the Porsche came to us, then after dismantle was complete, and then after the body was media blasted. Post two covered the beginning of the nose rebuild, leaving the new section TIG welded into position. Part three looked at how the rest of the front end of the Porsche was repaired. Part four described how the restoration of the floors and inside cab was accomplished. Part five of Porsche Restoration showed the results of metal finishing all over, where the 356 Pre-A was ready for paint. Part six shows the (almost) final results, with the Pre-A mechanical assembly complete and in paint!