Shane Balkwitsch wrote in with this outstanding project that he’s undertaken, and looks nearly complete. Hamilton Classics is assembling this very promising 356 outlaw, with some interesting specifications. As you can see in the ‘before’ shot above, this was no small matter of a paint refresh and some tweaks to the motor. When the car was found she hadn’t been on the road in more than 25 years. As is so often the case with these types of long dormant cars, the disassembly happened and then…. 20 years in a garage.
Shane has documented the progress very well as he keeps tabs on the project remotely. The Internet and digital photography must make these sorts of projects so much easier to keep up with. I’d imagine that in the past, you had to send your car to the specialist that would restore the body, then you’d see it again months later; with nothing but phone calls and an occasional mailed photo along the way. Today owners can receive frequent updates on the status of their projects—perhaps to the dismay of restorers, who must feel they are spending as much time photographing and emailing as beating panels.
The new paint looks marvelous and has a bit of a story of its own. Shane wanted to imbue the car with some Porsche history, despite the updates and mods. What better choice for a color then, than the original shade of silver grey that bedecked Porsche No. 1—the first example Porsche produced in 1948. A phone call to the Porsche Museum later, the paint code was in hand (K45-286). It’s a lovely shade, even if you don’t know the story as it passes you by on the freeway.
Still to come on the project, engine upgrades to boost the factory 95hp motor upwards of 150hp. That, coupled with the modifications that have already been completed to strip weight from the car, are sure to provide no shortage of smiles when Shane travels to Texas to drive her for the first time. Have a blast, Shane! And we wouldn’t mind seeing some photos of her maiden voyage.
More information on Shane’s project site.
0 replies on “Reader Restoration: 1965 Porsche 356 Outlaw”
sweeeeeet.. currently building a rep of this ;
http://kremer-st.yolasite.com/kremer.php
Thats a great job Shane I am very impressed what lovely little car.
[…] this car has even been repainted with the exact silver color from the first ever Porsche built. [TheChicane] 28_September_2010 | Motorsports […]
To see more pictures of my car visit:
http://www.hamiltonclassics.com/Balkowitsch.htm
Thanks for following my antics,
Sincerely,
Shane Balkowitsch
Hello from Canada/Ottawa.My name is Stavros Korkolis.i read your story about the 356/65 i saw the picks.Fantastic work,congratulations all the team,enjoy your car.i will save this page in my private list.i am looking to purchase a 356 from 1957-65,for restoration.please if you have something in your mind send me email in:stavros_korkolis@hotmail.com.
thanks and i wish you the best for you
Regards,
STAVROS KORKOLIS
I have setup my trip to Martindale Texas to see the car and meet Bill for the first time. We are going to take the car around the track at http://www.harrishillroad.com and stretch her legs for the first tim. The trip is scheduled for January 21st 2011. The motor will be fired up for the first time in nearly 25 years this coming week. You can see a photograph of the motor as it is almost completed at
http://www.hamiltonclassics.com/Balkowitsch/DSC05825.JPG
Thanks for continuing to follow my build, the support I have received is wonderful.
Sincerely,
Shane Balkowitsch
[…] Balkowitsch’s Porsche 356 Outlaw project that we wrote about back in September has returned to the street, and looks set to turn heads everywhere it […]