This post takes us to the end of the journey for this project where we are in the final assembly mode of Porsche restoration to get the 356 Pre-A Porsche Cabriolet back on rolling wheels, as it came to us.

This is part six of a series of posts covering the Porsche 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 showed the results of metal finishing all over, where the 356 Pre-A was ready for paint!

Each mechanical component was methodically cleaned and restored back to its original factory specs with the aid of literature.

The owner will now assemble the remaining components with support from The Metal Surgeon if needed. We will update the build photos as the owner reaches certain stages.

We were given generous permission by the owner to take the car in the current state of finish to the Creme de la Chrome show in Denver. We have a booth at the show every year and always take a couple of cars, typically one in paint and the other in bare metal to show our services and capabilities.

As ever, thank you for following along this build!

Porsche Restoration: Pre-A 356 Porsche Cabriolet in Paint

Front end details, with trim re-chromed.

The wood tack strip courtesy of Ted Capps woodworking skills.

Overhead shot on the show floor.

Porsche Restoration: Porsche 356 Pre-A Cab Interior Colour and Detail

Interior shot of the ‘Azure Blue’.

Rear end view at the Creme de la Chrome 2015 show over Thanksgiving weekend.

Transmission clean up and detail underway.

Porsche Restoration: Porsche 356 Pre-A Mechanical Details

Mechanical components painted in the correct finish.

Time to assemble all these parts!

Front hub assembly in progress.

View of the hand made battery tray and front set up.

Transmission assembly and detail to original factory specification.

Steering detail.

Under dash assembly detail with a mixture of painted and raw state finished parts to 1953 factory specs. Dash and windshield colour finish in the original Porsche colour ‘Azure Blue’.

Interior body rebuild and finish coat.

New wood tack strip installed with the help of Ted Capps.

Exterior finish in the original Porsche colour ‘Fashion Grey’.

Wheel detail with natural finish hubs.

This is part six of a series of posts covering the Porsche 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 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!