Description
The chassis was reportedly trued on a bench prior to bodywork that included replacement of the floors and longitudinals as well as other panel repairs as needed. A front clip from another 356A was sourced from European Auto Salvage Yard of Emeryville, California and modified with a custom cowl vent, a GT-inspired reinforced valance, and recesses for Marchal fog lights. A rear clip from a 1959 donor car was welded on, with the fenders progressively widened by 2”…
The chassis was reportedly trued on a bench prior to bodywork that included replacement of the floors and longitudinals as well as other panel repairs as needed. A front clip from another 356A was sourced from European Auto Salvage Yard of Emeryville, California and modified with a custom cowl vent, a GT-inspired reinforced valance, and recesses for Marchal fog lights. A rear clip from a 1959 donor car was welded on, with the fenders progressively widened by 2” and quadruple beehive taillights added. The steel engine lid was modified with louvers on each side of the grille in addition to increased internal clearance. A 356A sunroof section was welded into the roof and plumbed to 356B T6-style weep-hole exits at the C-pillars.
The body was repainted in 2017 Porsche Cayenne color of Dark Sea Blue using PPG materials. Body-colored bumpers were custom-contoured and accented with reshaped decorative strips, while rocker panel trim was removed. The bumper modifications and the majority of other metal work is said to have been performed by Lance Lighthall. Additional features include GT Werk plexiglass side windows operated by pull straps, articulating louvered plexiglass quarter windows, chrome headlight guards, a GT Werk center-hood fuel filler, Raydyot mirrors, a third brake light, and a custom 2.4 GT badge. The car also wears a Porsche Owner’s Club grille emblem and California year-of-manufacture license plates.
Fuchs “deep six” 15×6” wheels were refinished by Rite-Way Wire & Wheel Specialists of Walnut Creek, California, and include three featuring heart-shaped cutouts nearest their valve stems. Kuhmo Solus tires are mounted all around. Disc brakes from a 356C were added and modified with a dual-circuit master cylinder. The suspension was fitted with Bilstein 46mm shock absorbers, and the rear trailing arms were lengthened for increased shock clearance. Reinforcements were also made to the front and rear trailing arm attachment points as well as the C-links. A torsion tube and trailing arms from an early 911 were added as well as a 356C sway bar, a Koni steering stabilizer, and a ZF steering box.
Later-style Recaro LS seats are upholstered in saddle brown leather with custom “2.4 GT” embroidery on their headrests. Each is equipped with Sparco four-point belts, dual-setting seat heaters, and two-way adjustment with increased backward travel made possible by relieved inner longitudinals. Trim work is said to have been performed by Roy Nielsen and also includes matching door panels, blue square-weave carpeting, and a cream perforated headliner. The transmission tunnel was narrowed and customized with cupholders and a storage tray, while the rear seats were removed in favor of an articulated rear parcel shelf.
The wood-rimmed LL steering wheel is said to have been refinished by Bruce Crawford and frames a refurbished tachometer and 120-mph speedometer as well as a 904-style triple combination gauge on the left. The five-digit odometer shows 13k miles, approximately 400 of which have been added following the build. Additional features include two LED-illuminated USB ports, manual cooling fan and illuminated fog lamp switches, a CNC-machined alloy sunroof crank, and a 356B T6 breakaway rearview mirror. The updated 12-volt electrical system is said to feature 12 added circuits and uses modern blade fuses.
Modifications to the front compartment include a custom fuel pump box as well as reinforcements to the front chassis, which features a battery box that has been lowered by ¾” to allow for a larger spare wheel. A two-speed windshield wiper motor is housed behind an inner fender panel, and a 914 scissor jack is secured with a T6-style hold-down.
The 2,375cc flat-four was built by Fat Performance in 2016 using the case from a 2.0-liter Porsche 914 engine and is said to feature a 8.5:1 compression ratio. Components include 96mm JE pistons and cylinders, a counterweighted 82mm crankshaft, chromoly connecting rods, a Fat Performance FC442 camshaft, and a 30mm oil pump. Ported and polished cylinder heads feature 44mm intake valves and 38mm exhaust valves operated by heavy-duty rockers and tapered pushrods. Additional features include twin Weber 44 IDF carburetors, PerTronix electronic ignition, a Porsche 912 electric fuel pump, a Mazda oil cooler with an electric fan, an Offenhauser cast alloy valve cover breather, a 75-amp alternator, and a custom-formed engine tin.
The ceramic-coated A-1 exhaust system features a polished muffler and is absent of heat exchangers, though chassis ducting has been retained. The Type 902/1 five-speed manual transaxle was rebuilt by Riedel Racing in 2016, and a gear ratio chart from Carquip can be seen in the gallery below. A custom rear transmission mount was also added. GT Werk tow hooks are positioned at the front end, and custom seatbelt anchor points were welded to the chassis prior to undercoating.
A 2016 dyno sheet from Fat Performance lists 171 peak corrected horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 189 lb-ft of torque at 4k rpm. Invoices and notes from the build are included in the gallery, as is a copy of the car’s Kardex form.
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