Count me in, Glenn I never really cared for the look of the VW switches anyway. Eddie
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Count me in, Glenn I never really cared for the look of the VW switches anyway. Eddie
Glenn,
When you say "original Porsche-shaped knobs," which of the many style of knobs are you referring to? Porsche changed the knobs on the 356 many times...sometimes more than once within a model year! It's kinda like when they ran out of one kind of knob they just switched to another, probably owing to availability of product.
Can you post a pic of "the knob" you're talking about? I like your idea.
When you say "original Porsche-shaped knobs," which of the many style of knobs are you referring to? Porsche changed the knobs on the 356 many times...sometimes more than once within a model year! It's kinda like when they ran out of one kind of knob they just switched to another, probably owing to availability of product.
Can you post a pic of "the knob" you're talking about? I like your idea.
If you can do them in ivory as well, and also make the smaller ignition switch knobs. and door handle knobs. I might concider a upgrade.
The smaller knobs on mine are hand carved as well, they look fine,and match the 66beetle stuff to a tee, I do have a window crank knob comming lose. that I was plannig to fix
Cheap junk!! That needs a improvment.
I concidered a stainless stud that passes clean though the crank knob , A crank handle knob with a stainless center button wouldn't look to far off. It sure would stay better. I'd take um eather way 57 porsche set or just 2 66 beetle crank knobs.
The smaller knobs on mine are hand carved as well, they look fine,and match the 66beetle stuff to a tee, I do have a window crank knob comming lose. that I was plannig to fix
Cheap junk!! That needs a improvment.
I concidered a stainless stud that passes clean though the crank knob , A crank handle knob with a stainless center button wouldn't look to far off. It sure would stay better. I'd take um eather way 57 porsche set or just 2 66 beetle crank knobs.
I've noticed that a good percentage of Speedster Replica owners still retain the VW dash switches along with the oem VW knobs. I might have a solution if there is enough interest. What I am proposing is: If Porsche-shaped knobs were available to fit the VW switches, would there be a market for them? Unscrew the VW knob & screw in the Porsche-style knob for a more "original" look. Please chime in with your thoughts/ideas.
I've added pics of 2 Porsche knobs that I will be producing. Both will be available in Grey, Ivory & Black.
I've added pics of 2 Porsche knobs that I will be producing. Both will be available in Grey, Ivory & Black.
If you make them in ivory or ivory pearl count me in.
I'm interested.
Knob-gawd,
What are you basing your proposed style offering on? Is there a photo referrence you are going by? If so, I'd like to see it. Most of the photos of early 356 cars do indeed have an assortment of knobs and most photos seem to lack much specific detail.
Medicine Man tired of his mismatched, mish-mosh of knobs...
What are you basing your proposed style offering on? Is there a photo referrence you are going by? If so, I'd like to see it. Most of the photos of early 356 cars do indeed have an assortment of knobs and most photos seem to lack much specific detail.
Medicine Man tired of his mismatched, mish-mosh of knobs...
what are they made from?
aluminum painted?
plasic?
E-mail me as I am interested!!!
dman550@shaw.ca
Dario
aluminum painted?
plasic?
E-mail me as I am interested!!!
dman550@shaw.ca
Dario
Paul- I've attached pics of two Porsche knobs I found at a local pick-your-part yard. The smaller knob came off a 1957 356A Speedster whereas the larger knob was removed from a 1959 356B Coupe. The 356B knob is also the same design used on it's window winders from the same car. If you preview Dale Bates' photos o his car, you notice he uses the 356B-style knob everywhere including the dash and the front/rear hood release.
Dario- I'll be using a hard plastic known as Bakelite. Very durable and can accept drilling & tapping. During the molding process, I may be able to include a metal inner, but I don't think it very necessary.
Dario- I'll be using a hard plastic known as Bakelite. Very durable and can accept drilling & tapping. During the molding process, I may be able to include a metal inner, but I don't think it very necessary.
Glen, before you start making the knobs you might want to research a bit more so you make the correct knobs for people's needs and desires. The A's, B's and C's used the same knobs, only the color was different. Some speedsters had a very small knob, same shape, on the extreme left for the wiper switch. Mine operates the fog light switch.
Let me quote/copy from "A RESTORER'S GUIDE TO AUTHENTICITY" by Dr.B. Johnson, page 96. "Most 1954 - 1959 356 and 356As had these combinations: ... The knobs always matched the steering wheel color (wood not included)and always matched the window crank knobs, escutcheons, and shift knob. There was also a correlation between top frame color and knob color in Speedsters; the early cars tended to have black frames, and no ivory frames were made. (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is) frames generally went with (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is) knobs, and tan frames with beige and ivory knobs. Frames on later cars were tan only. In 1960, or very late 1959 by some accounts, all plastic components went black.
The knobs on my car are correct for the speedster, by the way, a 1959 356 would be an A car not a B. B series was started in 1960.
Most 1954 - 1959 356 and 356As used knobs that were color keyed to upholstery color, Red uphols=Beige knobs, Brown/Tan uphols=Ivory knobs, and Black/(leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is) uphols=(leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is) knobs.
All this is much more than most of us need or want to know. Sorry, I'm bored tonight.
Let me quote/copy from "A RESTORER'S GUIDE TO AUTHENTICITY" by Dr.B. Johnson, page 96. "Most 1954 - 1959 356 and 356As had these combinations: ... The knobs always matched the steering wheel color (wood not included)and always matched the window crank knobs, escutcheons, and shift knob. There was also a correlation between top frame color and knob color in Speedsters; the early cars tended to have black frames, and no ivory frames were made. (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is) frames generally went with (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is) knobs, and tan frames with beige and ivory knobs. Frames on later cars were tan only. In 1960, or very late 1959 by some accounts, all plastic components went black.
The knobs on my car are correct for the speedster, by the way, a 1959 356 would be an A car not a B. B series was started in 1960.
Most 1954 - 1959 356 and 356As used knobs that were color keyed to upholstery color, Red uphols=Beige knobs, Brown/Tan uphols=Ivory knobs, and Black/(leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is) uphols=(leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is), (leave as is) knobs.
All this is much more than most of us need or want to know. Sorry, I'm bored tonight.
Attachments
Images (1)
Thanks for the input Dale. I just grab the dash knobs off of some wrecks that I believed to be easy to produce. But as soon as the moulds are done (Dec 7) I do plan on having the finished knobs available in the 3 colors you mentioned (Black, Ivory & Tan). Not looking to get rich on these things, just trying to make my (& anyone else who's interested) replica a little closer to being visually correct. I estimating price of a set of 3 knobs (wiper, headlight, throttle control) to be about $20-$25
Forgot to ask, what's with all the "(leave as is)" thingy in your post? I'm assuming it's a copyrighted word we can't use on the forum? Am I right Theron?
Forgot to ask, what's with all the "(leave as is)" thingy in your post? I'm assuming it's a copyrighted word we can't use on the forum? Am I right Theron?
I edited the message and the "leave as is" thingy is perhaps part of the spell check. I hope that it is not left as is. Good Luck on the knobs, that could be a nice thig to do for those that want/need knobs. Most of the cars I have seen will not need grey, and you might want to ask how many would want black. I have not seen many speedsters with black knobs. Hope to meet you at Knott's.
Hi Glenn,
Question for you. How are the knobs to be fastened to the switch shaft? Press on or a recessed allen screw? I assume the press on was the Porsche method but don't really know. Will the Porsche method be faithful on your product? Great project you're doing!
Bruce
Question for you. How are the knobs to be fastened to the switch shaft? Press on or a recessed allen screw? I assume the press on was the Porsche method but don't really know. Will the Porsche method be faithful on your product? Great project you're doing!
Bruce
Whoops,
Just read the other posts and see they will be screw in, makes sense, sorry! Bruce
Just read the other posts and see they will be screw in, makes sense, sorry! Bruce
Glenn, I hope you make copys of the early igniton knobs as well. They come in handy for extra things like heater fans, fog lights, fuel pumps, or anything you might want up on the dash with a pull type switch, They looked like the others but were smaller. I'll try to find a sample for you.
I already have a set of black radio knobs for the early look radio's. their yours if you want them. They fit aftermarket and Saphire Radio's to
Also ,If you wish, I have a spare crank handle that came the wrong color . I'll make the repair kit, and send it to. no charge. Some of us have Roadsters.
I already have a set of black radio knobs for the early look radio's. their yours if you want them. They fit aftermarket and Saphire Radio's to
Also ,If you wish, I have a spare crank handle that came the wrong color . I'll make the repair kit, and send it to. no charge. Some of us have Roadsters.
Glenn,
I've been snopeing around. You may want to check with Henry at IM first, No need to make what you can already get at Intermeccania.
Just stock a few of his parts. Stoddards did carry the small knobs.
Send me one more Emaill and I have another pic of the early radio kit that was a aftermarket add on.
I found the black radio knobs,( and they are a match to Dale pic ecept black)they slide on.
I can't find the extra chrome sapfire base knobs that go under them but they are the same as a vw Exzactly, and the same as in the porsche books I have show.
I could take one off, But I Realy need it back when your done its the real thing.and they were very very hard to find. that 's another part you may need to produce.
I've been snopeing around. You may want to check with Henry at IM first, No need to make what you can already get at Intermeccania.
Just stock a few of his parts. Stoddards did carry the small knobs.
Send me one more Emaill and I have another pic of the early radio kit that was a aftermarket add on.
I found the black radio knobs,( and they are a match to Dale pic ecept black)they slide on.
I can't find the extra chrome sapfire base knobs that go under them but they are the same as a vw Exzactly, and the same as in the porsche books I have show.
I could take one off, But I Realy need it back when your done its the real thing.and they were very very hard to find. that 's another part you may need to produce.
Actually, Glenn, searching around the internet there are a few places offering original-style Porsche dash knobs in all three colors. You may be able to beat their prices, which would be nice, but the goods are already available.
John ,I would appreciate a list of vindors that is current ,Can you drop me a list?
Glenn ,
If you still want them where do I mail them.
The face plate is another toughy Is also very hard to find in nice condition . Mine is not as nice as the one below, but the chrome sapfire knobs, are the same as you can plainly see.
I chanced only one knob the other is still fine. If I can find a decent peace of plastic scraps I'll turn you out the small one. My cad helped me detemine the correct spec's.
Standard size came up a Diameter 21mm x 23mm tall. the smaller spec's out at same height but only 14mm diameter. Can anyone confirm that? It was close, It could be 15mm instead. I ran it three times on the cad graph converter.
But the crank nob repair kit came out fine.
Glenn ,
If you still want them where do I mail them.
The face plate is another toughy Is also very hard to find in nice condition . Mine is not as nice as the one below, but the chrome sapfire knobs, are the same as you can plainly see.
I chanced only one knob the other is still fine. If I can find a decent peace of plastic scraps I'll turn you out the small one. My cad helped me detemine the correct spec's.
Standard size came up a Diameter 21mm x 23mm tall. the smaller spec's out at same height but only 14mm diameter. Can anyone confirm that? It was close, It could be 15mm instead. I ran it three times on the cad graph converter.
But the crank nob repair kit came out fine.