Van Nuys/SFV CA generator/alternator converter?

I have heard of 6 volt generators being re-wired to 12 volts (for guys that wanted to keep their bugs looking period correct), but converting it to an alternator? Never head that before...

Same here.  But he seemed to be sure about it...

Best,

Thom

Jay Leno was talking about this guy when I was at his shop two weeks ago (seriously). He gave the name to my friend John. I will find out the name and post.

Anand

Don't know about VW/Porsche, but they are out there:

http://www.gener-nator.com/index.htm

http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/powergen.html

An alternator replicating the classic generator is available, this had been developed by Powerlite and is available exclusively from Maxted-Page and Prill Ltd. A few 356registry 356owners have installed these on their 356's

http://forum.porsche356registr...amp;hilit=alternator

http://www.prillporscheclassic...formance-alternator/

That is very, very cool. For guys wanting to really replicate, there's no other way to do it.

Looks great--much better than the fat alternator.  Anyone have prices to list for all to see so we don't blow up their phone. 

Anand:

Please do, as my neighbor would greatly appreciate the information.

Best,

Thom

I LIKE my fat alternator.  Drives the original Porsche guys nuts at shows.

When I looked at this yesterday (and followed the links), somewhere I saw a price of $1300 for the alternator conversion. It's slightly bigger diameter than a 6volt generator (100mm vs 90mm) so the stand has to be machined for it to fit. I can see 356 owners going this way if they are actually driving their cars, but I don't see the point in the replica market. I can think of a lot better things to do with $1300.

That is hilariously expensive.

Zzzzzzz.

Yeah. I saw the $1300 thing as well. It's not for us, boyz.

However... there are a guys out there paying very large money for original 356s, and if I were one of them a modern charging system with the original look would be pretty appealing. It's cool to me that somebody is doing it. I'd like to find a similar niche to fill at some point.

It looks like a nice semi-retirement cottage industry occupation.

Kinda like hot rod dress parts.

I worked with a guy who had a hot rod.  He found a way to make cast aluminum car club plaques, starting with "No club - Lone Wolf" and branched out from there.  He has bought out the other three guys who used to produce car club plaques, and now has over 12,000 different car club plaque masters (pretty much the only guy left doing this) and has added cast aluminum air cleaner and valve covers, hub caps, lots of other dress parts, belt buckles, etc., and was recently awarded both, NHRA and NSRA "Manufacturer of the year" awards at the Nationals meet.  Dennis O'Brien of "O'Brien Truckers".  He's been doing this since the '80's very much part time and has grown it into a really good, full-time retirement business, grossing WELL into six digits (over 140,000 car plaques shipped to date and a contract with Disney for these, for sale at Disneyland):

Now if Stan and I could just find our own products to do.......

Teby's going to want one!

According to Dennis, just now, the ONLY place you can get one (other than on flea-bay) is at "Ramone's Custom Body Shop" at Radiator Springs in Disneyland.

Dennis says Hi! - "You guys want a plaque for the SOC?"

It would depend on what it looked like, Gordon. No flames though; just sayin'...

I am a fan of Cars, and if we ever go to Disneyland again I'll have to bring home a "LownSlow" plaque!

Yeah, I thought of it.  My son was out there last spring but I didn't think a car club plaque would look right on a Speedster bumper.  Grill badge, yes....bumper mounted plaque, no.  O'Brien might do a few painted or powder coated colors on an item, but nothing like the cloisonné stuff you find on grill badges as we did at Carlisle one year:

Here's his sample web page:

https://www.obrientruckers.com/ecom/category/235/

Of course, we could always do something smaller, like 4" X 6" or whatever looks good.

That's just daydreaming, tho.....