And So It Began 356 Restoration part 4.

Restoring a 356, Part 4: Are we done yet? Steve Groh

Mercifully, yes, we’re almost there. In the last chapter we were ready for the interior installation. Most owners still even marginally in touch with their faculties hire this task out – that notion didn’t enter my head until I was about halfway done. It’s safe to say that tackling another 356 interior project again would not be on the top of my list. It’s tedious and took a real toll on my hands, cardiovascular system and patience. So, here’s a few tips if you do venture into this. First, be patient. After prepping the surfaces (see Part 3), install the sound deadening material (see photo - highly recommended!

Sound deadening material in place, jute going in on left seat well.

Below Photo: Test fitting carpet sill section prior to placement

All you want to hear is the sound of that flat 4!) using 3M spray adhesive. Be very careful here –once this material is stuck, it will surely not come off without tearing. Then determine if you need to replace the jute that is usually missing or severely deteriorated under the rear seats and bulkhead. Only remove what needs to be replaced. I sourced ½” jute but 3/16” will work also. Hopefully you have some or all the older carpet to use as a template – especially handy for the long section that covers the sill to the rear bulkhead. I sourced my new interior from Autos International in Escondido California –who I recommend highly – and the kit came with a numbered set of instructions detailing the order of placement (very important) of the sections. Left Photo: Sill piece in place – compound curve was a challenge!

Steve Groh

I referenced Brett Johnson’s guides and found Ron Roland’s “Restored by Hand” to be a lifesaver as well. The carpet backing is very stiff and as there are many compound curves in the 356 you will want to “break” the backing to make the piece pliable enough to conform without tearing the pile from the backing or leaving loose folds. I kneaded the sections by hand until “soft” (a relative term), then used a 3M carpet installation spray glue – a light coat only as you will be removing occasional sections to readjust – so adhere one location to establish an initial hold, and then form to fit a bit at a time using as much pressure as your hands can take. There were a few times when a ball peen hammer was used to encourage the backing to conform – again, be patient and only use the force necessary. Some recommend soaking the carpet with very hot water to soften the backing – but I did not need to do that. Another tip – DO NOT cut the carpet thinking that will help make the compound curve work. All in all, the installation took perhaps 80 hours of sweat. As we leave this chapter, #161933 is in the capable hands of Jim Qauatermus in Parkesburg, PA who is installing the correct German top and headliner assembly. One note deserving of it’s own chapter is the reproduction top frame. Since the cabriolet was delivered from the factory with a electric sunroof hardtop, there was no folding top frame. The hardtop is resting comfortably on a stand. When you live in Southern Maryland, you want the top down! Years of a nationwide search for a folding cabriolet frame showed up nothing. All cab top frames tend to stay with cabriolet bodies as a cab’s value without the top is decreased much more than the price of the frame sold separately – if you can even find one! I opted out of necessity for a Swissmade reproduction frame. It’s truly beautiful to look at! Now if it only fit! Which it didn’t! If you have a handmade car, it is no surprise that a mass-produced reproduction part may not fit without adjustment. We made it work, but what an engineering ordeal. In the next chapter, we’ll conclude with a list of folks, books, reference materials and businesses who I would wholeheartedly endorse for anyone entertaining a restoration of their 356.

Finished rear section!

And So It Began (cont’d)

Finished front section – door cards are next! Finished front section – door cards are next!

Door cards are now installed, windows operational and a remaining hurdle is now the installation of the cabriolet top….