Dedicated to the enjoyment of the Porsche 356 automobile

Dan Kalinski, #720

1963 356B Cabriolet

I’ve had a little exposure to the 356 GNW during this past summer when I was allowed to tag along to see Glenn’s Barn Tour. At that time, my newly acquired 63-356B Cab was located (and still is) on the lift at my home shop so I drove an alternate car that day. I took some good natured ribbing for the car I drove too. When I hooked up with the group in Gig Harbor at McDonalds, I was asked: "Are you sure you are in the right place?" This car is red and sounds good and while the 356 is from Zuffenhausen, the car I drove is from Maranello. I was graciously accepted to tag along for the drive and car/barn tour. Thank you!

I discovered this ‘sports car’ by way of a neighbor of mine in Sequim. I was told a cousin of theirs who lives in Bozeman, MT had the car and they thought he wanted to sell it. When I asked about this car, I was told it was some little German car and that it has not been driven in some time but on the up-side, the top came down. They thought it was a Porsche and had no idea of the year, but that it was very, very old. For me, this information was very good news.

After many months of e-mail attempts to get an audience with the owner, he finally said it was time to sell the car and I could stop by to see it. Stop by? Well yeah, sure, but from Puyallup (where I live during the week) to Bozeman is a little more than a drop by to say hello… Anyway, I made arrangements to fly into Bozeman and the owner picked me up at the airport. Turns out this fellow was very gracious and offered to have me spend the night with his family out on their farm. Great conversations and home cooked meals were had and turns out, we had many interests in common. The owner of this car purchased it in 1982 from a fellow in Missoula, MT. and the car was originally ordered by a dentist from the same city in 1962. I have no idea how many times the car has changed hands over its history and this history will be researched more as time allows. Very little was done to the car once it was in Bozeman other than to be occasionally driven for a year or so. The owners decided it should be restored and or kept for one of the kids so they put it in their shop and covered the car with plastic and there it sat for many years.

Grandkids came along and the only time the car saw any action was when grandpa would let the grandkids drive the 356 around the farm……I did not want to hear that…… But, it’s part of the car’s history……. So be it. Fast forward to August, 2008. The car is still in storage but now demoted to the barn and is looking a bit on the haggard side with the usual unwelcome inhabitants. I knew I was going to buy this car especially after I was told my neighbors in Sequim had given their cousin such glowing reports about the new prospective owner….. I just could not let them down and besides, I wanted that drop top upside down bath tub!

Upon my return home, I asked my wife if she would like to take a road trip and drag our car trailer along with us. She knew I was hooked on another car for our growing collection.

Under my ownership, I’ve been the only one to work on the car and I’m still making up my mind as how to proceed with this restoration project and where to turn to for some much needed help and direction. The car has the original engine, but not the original transmission. I do have the COA from Porsche with all the original options which were ordered for the car in 1962 and it looks like I’m missing some parts. I’ve been cleaning the car and there is still much more to do in this area. Mechanically, I believe it will need most everything rebuilt and that’s OK. I do want to get the car somewhat road ready so the people with "everything 356 experience" can make a better determination as to how I should proceed with the work the car needs. The more I work on the car, the more my love grows for it and its ivory paint, red leather, chrome wheels and even the bent up (down) bonnet. The more I read about the 356GNW and the 356 Registry, the more I like the people involved with these cars.

I know it may be a little while until I can drive this car on the road with any level of reliability, but I feel it will be another great experience to bring a worthwhile car back to life and the road.

As for my career, I have my own little business and work with regional banks/credit unions in the south sound, peninsula and eastern Washington. My wife Sue works for a major corporation selling medical equipment. We both enjoy the car hobby and she has spent many hours working with me on our cars. (You know, detailing, bleeding brakes and the like. "Hey, is that brake peddle up or down?") She is soooo patient. Sue is also an active participant in many of our local car shows. We both will take a car to show and we have a great time driving and showing our cars together. We have been married for 36 years and I can tell you this is a wonderful partnership.

Regards,

Dan Kalinski, #720

1963 356B Cabriolet

Vin: 157867