Rolling Chassis

You're in the wrong neighborhood our speedsters are replicas most based on VW type 1 chassis with some on tube chassis.

Tulio might know....same neighbourhood too. 

I am looking for a new chassis.  Could be a VW or a custom.

Paging @ashcreek

Matt:  Ashcreek (paged just above) has a restoration shop down near Bridgeport and may be able to help.

If you have an original 356, there IS no "chassis" per se, because it is  a monocoque assembly - the body and chassis are all one piece (welded together).  While some of the suspension parts may be similar to our VW-based cars, they are not identical replacements unless you have a 1952 - 1955 car, NOT your '61 B-series.

However, there is hope.  Try calling Jerry Dascoli at Meister Restorations in Center Barnstead, NH and talk with him about what can be done.

Phone: (603) 776-3561

This type of restoration is what he does as a business.

Also, Rick's Custom Fabrication in Massachusetts does undercarriage parts:

37 N Central Street

E. Bridgewater, MA  02333

Phone: (508) 350-9722

Want to "go it alone" and just buy the parts?  

Then contact Adam Wright at Unobtanium Inc. in Ravenel, NY (up near Albany)

Here's their website:   https://unobtanium-inc.com/menu

Contact info is on their site.  If Adam doesn't have what you need, then you don't need it.

If these guys can't help you they may be able to recommend someone who can, maybe closer to your home, but the vast majority of original 356 owners in New England use these guys all the time.

Good luck!

Gordon
The Speedstah Guy from Massachusetts

MANY THANKS!  This is great information

restoration design  is also a parts manuf that might be a source for you. 

Here you go!

https://silodrome.com/porsche-356-chassis/

Went for $112K!

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auct...ing-chassis/724785#/

No good, Wolfgang; it's an A. His is a B car.

@VSpyder

Greg at Vintage Motor Cars may be able to make you a custom chassis. Worth asking

Well I don’t quite get it.... 356’s have a full welded up pan structure and so why do you think you can put a sub frame under it.   But as others said it would need some custom work and you could probably redo the pan with a rotisserie setup and redo the pan welding in a whole replacement pan area.

IaM-Ray posted:

Well I don’t quite get it.... 356’s have a full welded up pan structure and so why do you think you can put a sub frame under it.   But as others said it would need some custom work and you could probably redo the pan with a rotisserie setup and redo the pan welding in a whole replacement pan area.

For clarification, the 356 doesn't have a "pan". They have a unibody structure, as in evidence with Wolfgang's picture above. The suspension parts hang off the structure which makes up the skin.

It really was what separates an original 356 from a replica. The OP's question regarding a structure to hang a body on indicates that the original structure was lost along the way (probably to rust), but that the outer panels were salvageable.

It'd be a neat project to follow.

A VW pan with engine and trans could be done - but it would be worthless when done.  The same amount of welding would go into the replacement of OEM rusted panels.  If you don't have the OEM suspension, transmission, engine - I would sell what you have and consider a replica.

Thanks for the clarification, but my reference to a pan was simply to make a comparison.  I do think that there are sufficient parts suppliers now, that make all the stamped steel substructures,  to be able to recreate the complete undercarriage, and weld up the whole unibody structure.  It would not be cheap but then the amount of work would be probably close and you would have a P- VIN.  In the end, that is what people want and it could allow to resell it.  Just saying.

Here is what I mean by underbody chassis, frame or pan like if you must. 

Now it would not be cheap and you would need to have someone experienced to do it but it could be done. 

http://www.restoration-design.com

Here's one that someone actually put on a VW pan.  Big bucks for what it is.

Full metal shell on top of a 68 VW Beetle Pan

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1960-...9:g1cAAOSwTppecZJc

Price lowered from $18.5k to $15.5k.  Note the VW 4 bolt wheels.

@WOLFGAND check your messages re: bows