58 Speedster Restoration

It's a long journey but well worth it! All work done by Carolina Coach Crafters.

http://i.imgur.com/mLgOUlk.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/7qOtCqQ.jpg
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Carrozzeria CREMONINI - Modena.
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^^ That is absolutely gorgeous! ....I just love it!

 

Some more... Carrozzeria Cremonini is on Facebook.
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Are you going to sell the speedster?

Interested.

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No doubt the photograph or my computer, but that Aquamarine doesn't look right. For those that can't see it in person, it is darker and less shiny.

I have had two of them, one the '58 aquamarine (still have, red interior, Super) and the other a '56 aquamarine blue metallic (very different color).

Plus many other 356's of different sorts.

 

This is the award winning Tim Goodrich restored Speedster. I darkened up Jon’s photo slightly to compare. This is one of those things you have compare with an original color chip in the same light. Looks good from here!

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Tim Goodrich was a good restoration for the time; the standards have evolved past his work now.

 

And yes, the darkened photo does look more accurate.

Withoit maintains paint samples that are reasonably accurate. I would compare with those to start.

 

I’d love to see an example of that.

Freeman

 

Restoration standards have really evolved. What would win at Pebble 15 years ago wouldn’t even be close now.

For RS’s for example there is someone who was ahead of others; now he has been passed.

Same with 356’s.

I have been waiting 3 years to have mine enter restoration as the shop is booked. They will do a few cars at a time. 18 months later it’s done.

 

What separated Tim Goodrich from the others in the 356 world was his research and execution. I’m a judge at Pebble Beach and I see many examples of over restoration, too modern a paint color/finish, too shiny etc. If you were to ask The best 356 restorers, I’m sure they would still rank Tim Goodrich at the top. I think the best Concours are those judged by their peers ie Corvette NCRS, PCA Parade etc.

BTW, thanks for your private message. Your restoration at Paul Russell looks good. When I lived in Germany as a designer for Porsche I would visit Kienle http://www.kienle.com/index.cgi?lang=en

I was impressed by their process.

Freeman

 

It wasn't Paul Russell, but someone who left there to start their own shop.

Most restorations don't go to the full extreme as some combination of the shop's not understanding what that is, the owners not wanting to pay for it, or everyone believing shiny is better. Maybe the fun isn't in the "authenticity" but rather the use. Clearly modern silver though looks very different from a 1950's silver, and that bothers me every time I see it.

That's where I think in terms of the research and execution the top few keep building off the work of the others before them. For example, Nate Cantwell was incredible with RS's (mainly for Dick Moran's collection). Now as he has effectively retired, others have become even more discerning trying to push the envelope even further. That in my mind is what has happened to Tim Goodrich. You can be the great master but you will be eclipsed by a determined few. People build off the knowledge base and expertise of those before, which they acknowledge. The first pioneers though set the ethic.

However, it's more and more hours for each restoration, so I do question whether it is worth the incremental price tag.

Feel free to PM me.

 

I chose to go shine when I did mine and must say it did not interfere with resale. My philosophy was I was doing it for me. Enjoyed it,sold it and was satisfied with the outcome. Beautiful Restoration.

 

Looks awesome. Just wondering are you setting the car up as euro spec? I see the fluted headlights, and red/orange tear drops.

 

Interesting observation; way back in pre-history I owned 3 different Speedsters; a '57 & 2 '58's. To the best of my recollection they each had the fluted headlight lenses & bi-color tailights.

As this was so long ago that no one even thought about restoring 'old Porsches', I never gave a second thought to this level of detail! I was just happy they were not cracked/missing! Interesting times......

 

I restored a 58 speedster 84683 and went overboard with swf # bezels, markings, etc. 58 also had wedge turn signals in the front while you have the pre A or early A ones. The us headlight lenses have writing at the bottom and are clear. Also your car most likely had USA bumpers with the exhaust ports through the bottom of the guards and over riders.


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Nice photo...

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Riverside 1956. Dan Gurney testing his Speedster.

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RIP, Dan....

 

Jon,

Your horn ring (technically the headlamp flasher) is upside down!

Freeman