356 on a Trailer

Very cool and I'm sure he enjoyed it as much as you did.  Funny when I saw the pic of him I thought....Sgt. Slaughter?

I'm no expert on these things - about all I know is that they're rare and cool.  But it sure doesn't look very far from a vw bug with a slightly different body shape.  is that pretty accurate?

In reply to Lof8 - Andy :

The engine is similar, but the body is pretty complex. You can't just lift the body off a pan like you can with a bug.

These are very difficult cars to restore. Somewhere, I have photos of one on a rotisserie getting new door sills and floors. There were a lot of layers of welded metal to repair.

Of course, there are people who know how to do this sort of thing...

The baby sister of the 356 that I drive by each day going to the job.

In reply to Purple Frog (Forum Supporter) :

There is one on my drive as well. The chassis sits on the ground with the body tarped on a trailer behind it.

Well then, let's take this whole thing sideways then... 356s are hard to acquire and expensive in any condition. Rusted out Karmann Ghias are much cheaper and easy to find (but not nearly as cool). I'm wondering about a Ghia hat on a 986.

Porsche Customizer Puts a 1972 Karmann Ghia Body on a Boxster S

Neat idea and well done, but not quite to my taste. I'm not sure; maybe its the windshield that hurts my eyes and those are beautiful wheels, but not with the Ghia.

How about the Ghia top and glass, some of the front contours and fenders to replace the Boxster front bumper. I'd probably want to cant the headlight wells in the fender back a little bit - like the 356.

And maybe put it on as a slightly wider skin on the Boxster since the length and width don't match up anyway.

In reply to Lof8 - Andy :

Much stiffer as its not a body on a pan like a bug. Handling and steering are a fee steps above the VW. 

I would still like a pre 65 VW with a 356 engine, wheels and brakes.