automotive restoration, classic cars, vintage cars
Area now metal finished and the wired edge transforms into the under flange

1964 Porsche 356C Restoration: Part 4

This is the fourth in a series of posts on the automotive restoration of this 1964 Porsche 356C. Part One described the 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.  Part Twelve describes how we completed the restoration of this 356C floor and structural components.  Part Thirteen shows the final metalwork photos of this Porsche 356C restoration, then Part Fourteen shows the body in polyester. And finally, Part Fifteen shows this 356C in the booth with color!

Front fender restoration of 356C

To tie up the remaining work on the front fender, first, we needed to make the last section of the wired edge on the newly grafted piece of metal, which then runs into an open flange.  The remaining outer sheet metal is then metal finished to completion.

Next, we move to the rear of the front right fender to rework the crumpled metal, which has taken years of abuse.  Because of the support panel behind the fender metal finishing is a little more difficult.  We had to resort to using levers and gently prying up the material to file and metal finish.  The results are shown from start to finish below.

Before photos of a Porsche 356C front-end restoration

View of the area to be addressed
automotive restoration, classic cars, vintage cars
Mating sections together for TIG welding

Final photos of the front fender restoration

automotive restoration, classic cars, vintage cars
The area is now metal finished and the wired edge transforms into the under flange
automotive restoration, classic cars, vintage cars
Setting inner support brace to the fender to complete this area of restoration
automotive restoration, classic cars, vintage cars
The next area to rework, is between the right-hand wheel arch and the A-post
automotive restoration, classic cars, vintage cars
A close-up view of the aged, weathered 356 panel
automotive restoration, classic cars, vintage cars
After levering behind the panel, with very tight access, the sheet metal cleaned up pretty good

This is the fourth in a series of posts on the automotive restoration of this 1964 Porsche 356C. Part One described the 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.  Part Twelve describes how we completed the restoration of this 356C floor and structural components.  Part Thirteen shows the final metalwork photos of this Porsche 356C restoration, then Part Fourteen shows the body in polyester. And finally, Part Fifteen shows this 356C in the booth with color!

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