Very On Topic-Bonneville 356 coupe

[Jeem]

I'm working with someone on a custom built coupe. While pouring through a bunch of his 356 registries, I come across this cool feature about a guy named Paul Swanson who, at the time, raced his '51 split windscreen coupe on Bonneville's salt (mar/apr '98 registry). Whutcha all think? Badass huh!?
Dual plug heads on a 62 type 616 motor and Carillo rods, 1478 cc barrels topped with a couple of Solex carbs (the class he was in dictated nothing more size wise). The car ran (runs?) on 4.5 in Fuchs wheels covered with Moon discs. He ditched the rear torsion setup in favor of coil overs and shimmed the front to gain caster for the speed involved. Car ran an averaged 134 mph! Long story short, I don't care if this little Porsche only ran 70 mph, it's Bitchin'.

[Jeem]

Here's one from the rear

[daign]

Now if only we could convince the porsche purists to adopt that stance. I've never seen a 356 look so badass.

Rad.

-Dane

[kustombuilder]

that is cool. i'd like to do a slightly more street friendly 356 one day. it's not at the top of my list but it is on there.

...on a vaguely related topic. i was reading the new Hot VW today and they have a big article on VW "Gassers" from the 60s and 70s. some very IMPRESSIVE stuff for the day and for such small motors. i like the pic with the Bug smokin the big block Corvette! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[modernbeat]

I heard about that car and watched with interest when it ran. Picked up the two or three magazine articles on it when they came out.

Got another article that I cut out of some rag back in the late '80s about a pair of guys that raced a pair of Porsche 911's on the salt. One looks fairly standard on the outside, the other has minimal flares and has been chopped a few inches! Huge engines with huge-er turbos to push them around on the salt.

That's one of the best things about Bonneville - all the variety you'll run into out there.

[Jeem]

Yeah Mikey, I got the issue last week, very cool indeed.
I'd like to see the 911 stuff.

I've got a couple of friends that are going to Bonneville and want me to go, at this point it's going to be hard to make it. I WILL be there next year. Everytime I read a firsthand story of any given run down the salt, I get all jacked up, oh well, must remain composed!

[metalshapes]

I think I talked to that guy in '96 or '97.
Cool car...

[Deyomatic]

I love all of those old 356s amd Speedsters. Love 'em.

[Jeem]

You should see the '64 that my client owns (not the one that is being cut up), he bought it new in '64 which was the last year. I'm not a concourse/ restoration kind of guy but this car is nearly perfect. Brown interior, green exterior. Lowered a touch with chromies. Dual 48's (I think) and some other neat details. I like this guy because he is not so much of a purist as he is just a guy that doesn't mind doing things that could have been done by the "tuners" of the time.

[Fat ASS Whitewalls]

[ QUOTE ]
Now if only we could convince the porsche purists to adopt that stance. I've never seen a 356 look so badass.

Rad. -Dane

[/ QUOTE ]I have a 59 356 coupe. I just ordered dropped spindles, and disk brakes for the front. It'll sit real low too. I've owned it about 25 years. Been off the road for the last 20. It's never been rusty, or hit. I've never seen a nicer unrestored 356 than mine. Yes I'm bragging. Dean

[Jeem]

Well, all I can say is PROVE IT FatAssWhitewalls! Seriously, at least show pics after the big drop, O.K.? My customer's car has had super nice square weave carpet installed and minor touchup on the paint, other than that and a few customizations, it is in pretty original condition.

[Curt Six]

[ QUOTE ]
Got another article that I cut out of some rag back in the late '80s about a pair of guys that raced a pair of Porsche 911's on the salt. One looks fairly standard on the outside, the other has minimal flares and has been chopped a few inches!

[/ QUOTE ]

Any chance you could post the pics of those 911s? I'd be really interested to see those.
Curt

[modernbeat]

I'll dig them up. It's been a decade since I last saw them...

[Mike]

Pretty damn neat. I dig 356's.

[Fat ASS Whitewalls]

Hey Jeem, I'll have to take some pictures of it. I know there are nicer looking ones out there, mine has faded original paint, but it's a damn nice car. I'm the second owner too. Dean

[Jeem]

That's cool, I'll look forward to seeing them...