Hamilton Classics

NEWS 2005

November / December 2005

The For the last several months we have been struggling with turnaround time on bodywork. What starts out as weeks ends up as months. In December we addressed the issue by bringing on full time help in the bodywork and paint prep area. I look forward to working with Mick and bringing even more 356s back to life in 2006.

The '58 Cabriolet did make it back from the painters in December. The drivetrain has been installed and it is a running and driving "shell". The Cabs owner will take over from this point and finish up the assemble and detail of this fine classic.

With the '58 Cabriolet coming back, the '60 Sunroof headed off for it's bodywork and paint adventure. It is anticipated to return in early February. December also brought in two new customer projects. Early in the month we received a '63 B Cabriolet, followed mid month by a '65 SC Coupe both looking for for cosmetic restorations. At months end, the '63 Cabriolet has been stripped to bare metal and the body work is almost complete (thanks Mick).

Finally, we would like to thank all of the great people we worked with this past year and look forward to making many new 356 friends in 2006

October 2005

The '60 sunroof is now ready for it's bodywork and paint experience. The '58 Cabriolet and '62 Coupe are still not back from paint, but getting close. Within the first few weeks of November, we should be dropping off the sunroof and picking up the other two. October, in addition to sunroof metalwork, was a month to get the running gear for the '58 Cabriolet rebuilt. The engine is now running and being dialed in on the test stand, transmission is cleaned up and the brakes rebuilt.

September 2005

All projects were running full speed ahead in September. The '58 Cabriolet headed off to the paint shop, which means we now have 2 cars at the painters as the '62 Outlaw has not yet returned. The sale of the '60 Sunroof was completed in September and we look forward to working with it's new Canadian owner. The paint has been stripped and undercarriage metal repair is well underway. We also purchased a new project in September. What's this, a car that actually runs and drives? Not a common occurrence around here, but yes, it is a '64 Coupe with tired cosmetics and solid running gear. Check out the "Cars for Sale" page. As they say "Drive it home and enjoy it today".

August 2005

August saw the completion of the '58 Cabriolet metal work. It is now waiting on the paint shop to finish work on the '62 T-6 outlaw, so it's paint and bodywork adventure can begin. Work has begun on the '60 Sunroof and at months end we have a sale pending on that car. Hopefully we will have a good start on the required metal work by the end of September.

July 2005

July saw the '62 Cabriolet head West to it's new home in Northern California. It also saw the completion of the '60 Silver Sunroof Coupe. That car will stay close by as it's new home is less than 100 miles away. Our customer '58 Cabriolet is well underway. The paint has been stripped and we are well into the metal work. The plan is to have it to the painter by the end of August. The shop is beginning to look a little empty, so in early August we will begin our next shop project. What is this? Another '60 Sunroof Coupe. Yep, I have had this car for several years and have had no luck selling it as is, so I decided to jump in and get her back on the road. Anyone looking for a matching numbers T-5 Sunroof should stay tuned.

June 2005

Our '62 Cabriolet finally returned from the painters at months end. It looks great and is now ready to head to it's California home for reassembly. Other projects have slowed our progress on the '60 Sunroof which is coming together as an outstanding looking 356. It WILL finish up this month for sure. As we picked up the Cabriolet from the painters, we dropped off a customers '63 Coupe, which will receive a custom paint job to go along with it's outlaw look. June also brought in a nice solid '58 Cabriolet. This customer car will receive a mechanical rebuild and fresh paint over the next several months. Keep them on the road.

May 2005

The '60 sunroof moved closer to completion in May. The engine was installed which completes the mechanical work. The carpet and interior panels were installed as was the glass. At the current pace, it should be wrapped up and on the road sometime in June. We are waiting on the return of the '62 Cabriolet from the painters so the '63 Coupe can begin it's paint adventure. With the work on the Sunroof and the Cabriolet nearing completion, we will be starting on a new project in June.

April 2005

Early in April we attended the 356 Gulf Coast Holiday. What a fantastic gathering of great cars and great people. Interest in and enthusiasm for the 356 Porsche is certainly at a high point. April was also a month of moving our current projects forward. The '60 sunroof is really starting to take shape as the mechanical work is almost complete and the trim is going on. The '62 Cabriolet is at the body shop and should be back with it's new paint later this month. Finally, the '63 Coupe will have the last of it's metal work completed and will be back on it's wheels in preparation of it's paint and bodywork. It's Spring, get out there and drive 'em.

March 2005

March saw the sale of the Silver '60 Sunroof Coupe. We will be finishing and upgrading the car for it's new owner, over the next couple of months.  The '63 T-6 Coupe has returned from the media blasters and the metal work is now about 80% completed. Some additional problems were discovered as a result of the blasting activity (no surprise there).

Metalwork on the '62 Cabriolet has been completed and it is ready for the next step at the body and paint shop.

We are now booked through the fall with customer projects, this speaks to the growing popularity of the Porsche 356. Despite our current workload, we will take a few days off in April to attend the 356 Registry Gulf Coast Holiday in Boerne, Texas. Hope to see you there.

February 2005

2005 is shaping up to be a very busy year. Interest in the Porsche 356 is growing worldwide and in our little corner, we are experiencing a greater volume of calls, emails, visits and shop projects. In February, we completed our Beck speedster /912 engine project and it will be heading to it's new home in the Dallas area. The customer  '63 T-6 Coupe which is in for an undercarriage metal makeover, has been stripped and will be sand blasted before metal repairs begin.

The '60 T-5 Sunroof is back from the painters and looks fantastic (silver - 6006). Assembly will continue throughout March. This will be a very nice car and it is still looking for a home.

Finally, the '62 (T-6) Cabriolet project we purchased in January has sold (Open cars are in high demand). We will be doing some metal and bodywork on the car and then sending it to California to be completed by it's new owner.

January 2005

January was an interesting and busy month. The '60 T-5 Sunroof remained at the painters getting it's Silver finish and should return here by mid February. Much of the month was spent rebuilding components which will be installed upon it's return. January also saw the purchase of our newest project. We have now added a '62 T-6 Cabriolet. Pictures, description and pricing will be added to the website soon. It is a well used, but solid and complete vehicle which should finish out as a very nice car. Late in the month we received a '63 T-6 Coupe customer car which will get all new undercarriage metal as well as some additional rust repair. Looks like a busy Spring ahead.