I'm thinking of a replica Speedster. Looking at several they all hold the the engine access lid open with a pin on a short chain that you insert in a hole on one of the hinges. Why? the real hinges are avaliable why not use them the the correct opening and holding action. Thank you.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I'm guessing that when CMC started the whole replica Speedster fad the current method was the least expensive to manufacture than original hinges and everyone else just followed suit.
Robert,
Thanks for the reply, what you say makes sense.
Real P hinges probably carry real P prices- we're cheap a**ed replica owners, cast aluminum hinges are what most of our cars already came with and they work. Also, with the firewall not being in exactly the same place I don't know if original hinges would work (although I suspect they might, but it all seems like too much work to me). I do like the idea of them having the latching mechanism though.
And to be honest, I don't know if I could drill enough holes in them to quell the.... uhhh...urge... 
I've seen a couple (really, just two) of replicas with ratcheting pall engine cover hinges. Neither of those were original Porsche ratcheting hinges, but were pretty cool knock-offs of unknown origin. The Porsche hinges are most certainly Unobtanium for this group, since they're not being reproduced (AFAIK) and if you want a new, reconditioned pair you have to provide a donor pair or the price almost doubles.
So our el Cheapo hinges cost maybe $40 for the pair (throw in another $5 bucks for the custom knurled catch pin), while a pair of reconditioned 356 hinges would be somewhere close to $600 with a donor core pair.
From Stoddard's website:
https://www.stoddard.com/64451203200.html
BTW: I usually see original 356 owners fighting with their engine cover hinge ratchets (front hood, too). Porsche made both hinges ratcheting and it's easy to get one to unlatch with the other one not unlatching. Then you have to fight with them, messing with the cover fully up and half closed a few times til you get them both sync'd and the cover will close. If this happens at a Concours event there is very subdued mumbling that takes place from the owner/driver. If it happens at a group gathering the owner/driver usually out and out swears at it. I've never sworn at my custom-knurled catch pin - It just works.
Our setup is simple and lite which is in the spirit of how the 356 Speedster was born.
A Speedster is supposed to be minimal and light weight.
IM's hinges were upscale though!
Does it latch open?
No - pin like all the others. Some here have added gas shocks to both front and rear lids.
Hood prop rod on mine
Some fitted an automatic pin similar to those used on sailboats. Maybe it was @aircooled that did it and posted the details on it.
You could make them at home with a bit of aluminum plate, a drillpress and a file. Fun weekend project. Probably best to make just one with the pall catch so you don't end up fighting them. Spyders have just the one.
IIRC, Sierra Madre has some reasonably priced Speedster hinge reproductions.
$375 looks like a fair deal especially if they are bolt-on.
Geez, Ed....... You hit the Lottery or sumthin?
For a pair of hinges?
I can use my catch pin one helluva lot to save $375. Buy a lotta beer, too! 
@dlearl476 posted:IIRC, Sierra Madre has some reasonably priced Speedster hinge reproductions.
Got a link?
And I agree with Gordon, Ed- low budget car, low budget hinges, a lot of money in my pocket for other things. Us older guys have to watch how we spend our pennies...
I originally had the pin on a chain and then put in gas struts.
The struts seemed to push the lid toward the rear when closed so I removed them.
Now I use the following. It automatically latches when I open the lid and I pull the ring to close.
316 Stainless Steel Retractable Spring Plunger, Pull-Ring, 1/4"-20 Thread, 0.8" Long Thread, without Thread Lock
Some of you guys have way more time on your hands than I do. I can remember back when I first got my Speedster and not knowing what the pin on the chain was for. I was using a cut off broom handle to hold the lid up. Boy did I feel silly when I realized what the pin was for. So simple I couldn't see it.
On my Intermeccanica, Henry simply uses a rod on a swivel, and a small indentation on the underside of the lid.
Simple, and it works.
These days Greg at Vintage Motorcars uses a spring loaded pin. A knurled knob version of what @Michael McKelvey mentioned above.
You lift the lid till you hear it click and the lid stays up. Time to close the lid so you can head home from the show and shine? Grab the knurled knob, give it a gentle pull, and lower the lid.
They’ve got the knurled knob versions at McMaster-Carr, too.
I originally used the knurled knob and switched to the ring.
Are we still talking about engine lids?
Yes. Question (paraphrased) 'why aren't real Porsche hinges with locking mechanism used on replicas rear engine lids'? Subsequent solutions have been offered.
There was mention of spring-loaded plunger. Here is a sample of such that clicks into place to hold the lid up, then ring-pull release to lower lid.
Spring-loaded pin clicks into place as engine lid is raised...
Pull ring to retract spring-load pin to lower engine lid.
That is similar to what I used but I have the plunger mounted in the hinge bracket on the firewall and the plunger goes into a hole in the hinge.
Well I have the same setup as Bob on his IM but it looks real cool what Jim has maybe I'll add it and take the plunge.
@ALB posted:Got a link?
And I agree with Gordon, Ed- low budget car, low budget hinges, a lot of money in my pocket for other things. Us older guys have to watch how we spend our pennies...
Actually, no. I looked last night and couldn't find them listed. Maybe I confused Sierra and Vintage.
OEM ones with patina -
Without drilled holes they are $15 each side from (but could be $25 fixed shipping)
https://vintagespeedsterparts....idhingeleftside.aspx
@edsnova posted:$375 looks like a fair deal especially if they are bolt-on.
You're right, Ed.
I knew I could find something more exorbitant.
As usual, Stoddard comes through!
Why have a clean, nicely reconditioned hinge when you can fit this new, old-stock item, handsomely swathed in 50 years of Zuffenhausen surface rust. A shard of the cross! You'll be the envy of all your PCA buddies!
But wow, that authentic rust don't come cheap!
Better still, Stoddard only has the right-side one. You'll probably have to wait years to find the one for the driver's side with a matching patina. Ah, the joy of the hunt!
It just doesn't get any better than that.
1. I think the $375 price is not unreasonable given the time you'd have in making one. I come by this opinion honestly.
2. I like the little spring pin thingy better. A more elegant solution.
3. Mitch's solution is obviously best for those who have historically significant replicas like pan-based IMs, etc.
@edsnova posted:1. I think the $375 price is not unreasonable given the time you'd have in making one. I come by this opinion honestly.
2. I like the little spring pin thingy better. A more elegant solution.
3. Mitch's solution is obviously best for those who have historically significant replicas like pan-based IMs, etc.
Ed wins the interweb today.
Indeed.
It's sobering to consider that some day a VS with the original EMPI HPMX carbs will be worth more than one that's been 'modified' with Webers or Dells.
And most valuable of all will be the rare 100%-Chinese survivors.
At least I held onto the factory burned-out headlight switch and will offer it with the car to any future buyer.
Yes those burned-out ones are rare but nothing compared to the actually working ones. See also: Original unmodified working Chinese-mfg'd knock-off 356 gauge sets.
I have one of those!
@edsnova posted:Yes those burned-out ones are rare but nothing compared to the actually working ones. See also: Original unmodified working Chinese-mfg'd knock-off 356 gauge sets.
I have one of those!
I fell down a rabbit hole one day and ended up on a site that sold NOS and used parts for 904-962 race cars. 908's (?) through 917's have a really cool windshield wiper switch that goes on the dash. 3 position switch for wiper speed, and push for washers.
$2500.
Then again, the ignition switch is the same one they used for 356C-'89Carrera that I think is up to $49 now. They were $25 forever. They do have a drilled out kept, though. :lol3
@Jimmy V. posted:Some of you guys have way more time on your hands than I do. I can remember back when I first got my Speedster and not knowing what the pin on the chain was for. I was using a cut off broom handle to hold the lid up. Boy did I feel silly when I realized what the pin was for. So simple I couldn't see it.
Just as you didn't know what the pin was for, many new owners of used Speedsters are unaware of what the levers on the convertible top frame are for. They are there to take the slack out of the top when the the top is up. Keep them down while putting the top up and flip them up after the top is up and your top will look much better.
