Authentic Restoration Parts For Your Porsche ... Since 1957
The 2022 Central PA region of the PCA had their annual swap meet at the Carlisle Fairgrounds. The event was packed—we sold a variety of "scratch and dent" items and saw a lot of great deals from other vendors as well. The weather was excellent—not something that can be said for every CPA swap meet.
Our next event is our own Stoddard Swap Meet on June 3-4th. We'll have plenty of more deals and 10% off all regular orders as well.
Automotive Reisen in Burr Ridge, Illinois has wrapped up the restoration of this 1955 Pre-A Speedster, which was used as a race car in the Midwest with the SCCA, mostly competing at Road America in Wisconsin. It had been wrecked numerous times and rolled at one point. The work included removing pounds of body filler that had been used to "fix" prior damage.
The customer chose to keep the upgraded disc brake and they present a neat look with narrow 356C wheels painted body color.
After a year or more of worldwide turmoil, it's nice to get back to what we love. Looking at some sweet Porsches, finding bargains on vintage parts and talking to our friends from around the country. We've been holding our Stoddard All-Porsche Car Show and Swap Meet since 1987 and this one had the most cars on display that we can remember. They were wrapped around the parking lot and they were accompanied their owners, both young and old. 
The vendor count was solid, but we were particularly happy with the show turn out. Plenty of neat Porsches, from early 356s through the latest models.
Our 2021 Stoddard Swap Meet starts tomorrown evening. We have received the Nicolas Hunziker designed shirts and they're available for sale!
You can see a video of Nicolas painting the original design by clicking here.
The three-year project at Automotive Reisen in now just a couple of weeks from completion. All of the lights, instruments and horns work perfectly. The final objective was to make every area of the 356 totally operational and attractive as the beautiful exterior look of the body.
Although it took months to get the engine done, it took lots of help to source all of the under-engine parts, cables, hoses, mufflers. Pat writes, "Thanks to Maurice at Stoddard we were able to get most parts necessary. Pre-A heater/muffler cans were impossible to get so we took those used on a A car and modified them so them looked exactly like the Pre-A. We also paid attention to making it cosmetically as neat as the topside."
Because of the international pandemic, the carpet set took a long time to be delivered. This was sourced through Stoddard using the same weave pattern and color as original. "The installation partner commented on the high quality of the material and the pre-cutting was dead on."
The seat rails and wooden frame for a Speedster were exact as to dimensions and hole fit. It was more economical to buy new rather than replate. "Everyone is having long delays with chrome suppliers in the USA"
It's almost done! Just a few more details to finish up.
Here are some updates from Automotive Reisen in Burr Ridge, Illinois They've rebuilt the entire inner structure and the results are spectacular.
We have made major progress on the ’55 Speedster with the interior metal completed. This was part of the rear that had been crushed in one of its’ many track experiences
The bottom pan was replaced but we noted exactly where the factory had placed the seams and spot welds. The old pan was unsavable not due to rust but rather the aggressive track use of this Speedster.
Primer and five coats of Glasurit paint with hand sanding between each coat. The white formula is exact to the original single-stage paint.
The entire exterior painted surface was covered with foam sheet to protect the surface during reassembly.
We are now installing all of the control cables in the tunnel and then the engine goes in. We expect to be completed in mid-May.
A racetrack wreck to a show piece
Automotive Reisen in Burr Ridge, Illinois is tackling quite the project! This 1955 Pre-A Speedster was used as a race car in the Midwest with the SCCA, mostly competing at Road America in Wisconsin. The new owner wanted to restore it back to "As New" condition and shop's Pat Yanahan was up to the task. "After we sanded off over two 5-gallon pails of body filler our forensic examination show that the right front had been crushed and the rear had shown signs of a total rollover."
Automotive Reisen assembled a crew of 356 body experts along with fabricators who were up to the challenge for a project that was to last three years. Here's the first few pictures of the restoration—more to follow!
After the filler was ground off the outer bodywork, the rear tail skin was removed, revealing quite a mess.
This is what the rear inner structure looks like after years of racing and sometimes rolling.
New sheetmetal, sourced from Stoddard, is ready to help put this Speedster back to original.
Here's a shot of the inner structure coming back together. Panels are clamped on for fitting before the welding begins.
From the front, you can see the Speedster shape coming back together.
Stay tuned for more in a couple of weeks!
7754 S County Line Rd.
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
(630) 395-7000
https://www.facebook.com/Automotive-Reisen-125296761509/
Our 34th Annual Stoddard Swap Meet is scheduled for June 4th and 5th, 2021. We are planning on having the Friday night literature and toy portion of the event outside. We're renting a second "circus" tent to make this work. 
The 2022 LA Lit and Toy Show will be held February 26th at the LAX Hilton in Los Angeles. You can see more here:
Registration is now open! We are starting to figure out the schedule for the rest of the week. If you have a related event or open house, please email us at lalit@stoddard.com
Our 33rd Annual Stoddard Swap Meet as held this past Saturday, August 29th. A wet weather forecast, cancelled car show portion and the current events all effected turn-out, but we were pleased with the attendance. There were approximately 40 vendors and we saw steady booth traffic throughout the morning. We were limited by the state of Ohio's limitations on mass gatherings, so the car show portion could not happen--but there certainly were some nice looking Porsches in the parking lot for our "Flea Market."
