Tech Corner

The 2023 Technical Chair for the Bluegrass Region of the Porsche Club of America is David Patrick.

The Technical Chair is a resource to the membership for Porsche technical matters. The Technical Chair works closely with the Activities Committee to schedule Tech Sessions that will be of interest to the club. It is not uncommon for the Technical Chair to arrange for a Tech Session to be held at a club member’s home, or at a local business. The Technical Chair helps connect those who have a Porsche mechanical question to a recognized expert within the club or local community.

David’s 1963 356B Coupe Restoration Story

Six years ago I purchased a 1963 356B Coupe. The car was in Maryland and owned by a member of the 356 Registry. He and David Jones are friends and David told me about the car. The purchase price was below market though the car was in really bad shape. The plus was that it was an almost complete car with all of the parts. Only missing a few easy to get parts.

The restoration began with a complete tear down. The only part left on the body was the front wire harness to the headlights. Lots of rust removal began in earnest. New floors, closing panels, fender rears, lower door inner and outer, engine shelf and inner and outer rockers to name a few. The body was blasted while the floors were out and the front fenders and rocker were open. The metal work was extensive and each time I cut out a rusted panel there seemed to be more rust behind, below or around what had been removed… ugh!

Finally ready for paint. Wow people sure are proud of their paint jobs. Way too expensive for me so I decided to paint it myself. Even doing it myself cost about $2000.00. Paint was $1200.00 a gallon, glad it’s a small car and only needed one gallon. So I painted it in my garage with some tarps hung up to try and keep it somewhat clean. The paint turned out pretty good though it did get some dirt and a bug or two in it.

Fall of 2022, I started with the assembly of the car and currently have much of it done. The suspensions are in, the wiring is completed, the trunk is complete with new fuel tank. David Clardy helped me build the engine the week before Christmas. The carbs, fuel pump and distributor need to be rebuilt to complete the engine and see if it will run before installing in the car.

I’m hoping for an early spring so I can start on the interior. The headliner and carpet will go in along with new upholstery and mats. See you on the road early summer 2023 for her 60th birthday.

The PCA Register Program is a new opportunity for members interested in networking with owners of specific Porsche models.

The PCA Register program was established in 1995 to encourage closer relationships within register groups in PCA. The program allows PCA members to network with others in their specific area of interest. Sharing of information fosters restoration and maintenance of member’s automobiles. A register can potentially provide a new resource for historical displays at Parades and other PCA events, along with information for articles in Porsche Panorama.