This is the 12th in a series of posts on the Porsche restoration of this 1964 Porsche 356C. Part One of Porsche Restoration described condition of the Porsche after media blasting and the rebuild of the B-post, Part Two of Porsche Restoration explains the fender reconstruction process, Part Three of Porsche Restoration covered the front end reconstruction, Part Four of Porsche Restoration described the rebuild of the right-hand front fender and wheel arch, and Part Five of Porsche Restoration covers the difficult restoration of the right-hand rear quarter . Part Six of Porsche Restoration demonstrated how off-the-shelf panels were used to make quick work of the restoration of the engine bay. Part Seven of Porsche Restoration jumped ahead and showed the leading work completed to perfect the gapping at the doors, trunk, and hood. Part Eight of Porsche Restoration describes the rear-quarter restoration of a panel, that you cannot buy replacements for. Part Nine of Porsche Restoration shows how the rocker panel and hood channel were replaced. Part Ten of Porsche Restoration covers the tire well repair and rebuild following a front end accident.  Part Eleven of Porsche Restoration explains how the heavily decayed B-post was restored.

Here we describe how we completed the auto restoration of this 356C floor and structural components that had seen a great deal of neglect and exposure to the outside elements.  To save time and money, we combined fabricating sheet metal and applying new parts off the shelf, after cutting out the under carriage damage.

Porsche Restoration 356C of the floor and structural components

Photo shows not only the outer layer of metal deterioration, but also the inner bracket structure to that needs to be reconstructed.

As you can imagine, a pile of rusted, almost powdered, metal lay on the floor from just poking around.

We started with removal of the front strut reinforcement bracket.

The original Porsche weakened floor.  This will be replaced with an off the shelf brand new floor.

Factory spot welds were drilled out, then front floor was removed, leaving access to the inside of the tunnel.

Rust removal of the tunnel is underway.

New sheet metal was fabricated to create the toe board bulkhead for the Porsche.

A side view of the toe board bulkhead panel in position.

Tacked into position and ready to be grafted in.

New metal grafted in prior to adding the front strut reinforcement panel.

Front strut reinforcement now welded into position.

Another view of the 356C.

Final Porsche restoration photos of the floor and structure

View of restoration work.

Toe board hand made replacement welded to the ‘off the shelf’ front floor replacement panel.

Diagonal member fitted and welded in. View of completed Porsche 356C undercarriage restoration.

View from inside – a 356C floor now ready to go.

This is the 12th in a series of posts on the 1964 356C Porsche Restoration . Part One described condition of the Porsche after media blasting and the rebuild of the B-post, Part Two explains the fender reconstruction process, Part Three covered the front end reconstruction, Part Four described the rebuild of the right-hand front fender and wheel arch, and Part Five covers the difficult restoration of the right-hand rear quarter . Part Six demonstrated how off-the-shelf panels were used to make quick work of the restoration of the engine bay. Part Seven jumped ahead and showed the leading work completed to perfect the gapping at the doors, trunk, and hood. Part Eight describes the rear-quarter restoration of a panel, that you cannot buy replacements for. Part Nine shows how the rocker panel and hood channel were replaced. Part Ten covers the tire well repair and rebuild following a front end accident.  Part Eleven explains how the heavily decayed B-post was restored.