1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A Speedster Full Restoration | Classic Fabrications

In this video, we show you a major 3 year restoration of a 1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A Speedster. This vehicle came to us from Switzerland in a very bad state (a lot of people would consider it too far gone) but we were confident that we could bring this iconic Porsche back to its former glory.
This video details all of the major metal, engine, transmission and paint work completed to the vehicle and shows the extensive changes made to the body in order to be correct to the original dimensions of a Pre-A Speedster. A large amount of original parts were sourced for this car from all over the world in order to keep the maximum originality possible, a true no expense spared restoration.
The large majority of this project was completed solely in house by our specialist team and all metalwork was completed by Steve Kerti, Owner of Classic Fabrications and Porsche Specialist.
If you would like to see more videos like this in the near future, please subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on our current projects and make sure to follow us on all of our social media accounts! Many thanks for watching!
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[@ClassicFabrications]

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[@paolozampieri2691]

@The Frank BS Show those 97 own a Prius or a Tesla!

[@merikahani1648]

Sir you are doing great work upload more videos so that world knows more about your workmanship. And it will be easier for the classic car owners to reach out to you...

[@ilikefishing7858]

absolutely incredible work! love seeing British craftsmen at work. 👍🏼

[@alprhyudhy6220]

It's just a picture. Not really interestinf to watch. I though it was a video

[@pepevonkek7803]

Where is Classic Fabrications located at? I would like to come and kiss the golden hands of those masters!

[@lorenzogattaldo3764]

You're quite humble at stating "restoration": you actually *rebuilt* most of the car from scratch! Astonishing job.

[@seanrobert9661]

Damn straight

[@imo254]

Unbelievable work

[@lobuxracer]

I was just thinking, the only thing truly original is the VIN. Everything else is completely rebuilt. What a labor of love!

[@citrasetyanto]

Incredible, almost like the ship of theseus.

[@deweybrightside2276]

Literally brought back from the brink. Well done.

[@robgrune3284]

Always amazing to see how a group of experts can recover/rebuild/transform a rusted hulk into a machine of beauty. Let's hope such skills are carried forward to future generations indefinitely.

[@pistolao_vr]

I don't believe any restoration can be better than what you've done here sir. Mad respect!

[@jurtifabio668]

there are videos of Mercedes Benz restoring 300 SL ....

[@jurtifabio668]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6rIlHaJhsSmndU

[@Мизантроп-г9о]

Благодаря таким людям мы до сих пор можем наслаждаться красотой ретроавтомобилей . Молодцы !

[@sandeep.bommanahalli]

The way you built the windshield, door, and the under pan is mind blowing. It's not just the restoration, you have given it a new lease of life. Keep up the good work..!

[@maniUSArmy]

Not just "no expense spared" but also "no skill spared". My goodness this is amazing metal work.

[@sim4fun]

I’ve been a sheet metal worker for 35 years and I am in awe of the craftsmanship, I couldn’t attempt half of that. Hats off to you. 👏

[@jimshoe402]

Honest man like me .Hat's Off !!!

[@Mainsail333]

I usually can't make it thru a full restoration video, but this one had me glued the whole time.

[@Chewy0424]

Not sure at what point you would call something like this a restoration, or just a new build? Most of the car has either been re made or has been completely fabricated from new. Stunning work though!

[@MrJack123455]

Ship of Theseus

[@justindbutler87]

I mean what would you call it if not a restoration? Surely this isn't "a new build".

[@Chewy0424]

@@justindbutler87 Its sort of both. It looks like more than 50% of it is newly produced, rather than restored.

[@whistlinturbo]

The fact that they're reproducing the factory specs so exactly makes this a restoration. If they were just throwing aftermarket parts at it, I'd agree that it would be a rebuild, but here, they're doing everything in their power to restore it to exactly what it was when it rolled off the assembly line.

[@privatechannel8462]

I had this broom 20 years, same broom. I've changed the brush 5 times and the handle 9, but its still the same broom....

[@philoshaughnessy906]

As someone once said, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." I doff my chapeau.

[@kahdmus]

I cannot imagine how it must feel to complete this and fill with incredible pride and satisfaction at the finished car. Simply incredible. I am beyond admiration and words for this restoration. The man-hours taken must be astronomical!

[@lenny108]

Guess this work and material costs is no less than $100.000 dollar

[@leerjet18]

@@lenny108 Yea maybe so, but it only took a little over 12 minutes, so------

[@rodmact6548]

@@leerjet18 😅😅😅

[@seanrobert9661]

Owners jus don't know

[@LCort101]

The sort of restoration a car like this deserves. Beautiful job guys.

[@mftwohill51]

LCort 101 I am with you. This was great work. Love what these guys do!

[@barryhenshaw9321]

When I was young, my father had a 356 speedster. I wish he didn't lose it ! Fantastic restoration !

[@straightbusta2609]

Back then, the prices weren't as crazy as today's prices, so people sold those cars cheap.

[@straightbusta2609]

@A Ks Diesels only

[@straightbusta2609]

I think

[@IAm1InTheIAm]

Barry, you and me both! My Dad bought a Speedster new from the factory in Stuttgart for $2500, had it shipped to L.A., put 100K miles on it in the Malibu canyons, then "sold it to some kid" for $1600...there went our family legacy, lol !😫

[@deltanovember1672]

My father had a gambling addiction too.

[@obscurazone]

It would break my heart giving that back to the customer, I couldn't. Incredible.

[@localboy4584]

Absolutely nothing but the best restoration! Thank you for sharing your masterful work on one of the worlds most deserving autos!

[@nomansland4811]

One thing I admire more than anything is the metal fabrication skills.

[@augustoferreira3647]

Good to see these cars having a new life, the values as high so doing a full restauration is paying off

[@scottimusgarrett15]

Amazing restoration...But it's really a rebirth. I know that almost everything had to be handmade. A true work of art, all of you. Kudos, y'all!✌❤🙂🇨🇦

[@mightyluv]

Can’t even find the words to describe it; thanks for posting this well-documented restoration.

[@lesp315]

This is absolutely crazy labor of love. I bet in 20 years no one will be able to do that. All left handed society.

[@leukat11]

This is not job, this is art .... Amazing ! can't imagine the final price of this beauty ........

[@joaodomingosboff603]

No make a simple restauration, make a new car...!

[@bonvoyage1700]

98% of this car is new

[@DharcTunesYT]

Now this is a type of classic exotic vehicle that rlly needs restoring. Good job fellas!

[@jongmedellin4890]

sus

[@jcseemann]

Stunning end result. A beauty brought back from the grave - well done!

[@dennisneo1608]

I can't fathom people being able to do this. Very very well done guys. It's beautiful.

[@UCanDoIt2Mike]

A master at your craft. There are people that fabricate and then there are Fabricators. Beautiful work my friend! Thank you for sharing.

[@azattazetdinov2870]

Столько труда, любви и души вложено! Молодцы

[@ЛаврентийПавлович-щ3и]

Точно. А как музыку удачно для ролика подобрали. Отличное видео!👍

[@seansysig]

Oh my God possibly the most gorgeous restoration I've ever seen!

[@babayomidemola4330]

IT IS

[@CyberCurtainTwitcher]

Great job on the restoration, and nicely documented without being too long winded.

[@CoolTsarina]

Saving history not with paper, rather with metal, technology, hard work and serious skills - alive. Bravo. Thank you. Respect.

[@cheesegorche3195]

Спасибо что Вы сохраняете такое наследие будущим поколениям.

[@jozsefizsak]

It's wonderful to see this delightful car so meticulously restored when it had been in such a sorry state.

[@BLUNT998.]

sad thing you wont see them here in the states their being taken overseas .

[@jozsefizsak]

@@BLUNT998. That may be true these days. This one started and ended in Switzerland after restoration in the UK so that seems nice.

[@BLUNT998.]

@@jozsefizsak I owh a coupe 58 356a was gonna sell few months back to be taken to france but my price was too high.

[@jozsefizsak]

@@BLUNT998. That's great. With what they're worth now, I suppose it doesn't make a lot of sense to drive them too much. I can understand being ready to pass it on to someone else after owning it for a while.

[@BLUNT998.]

@@jozsefizsak main reason I wanna sell my kids will fight for it owned for 30 years I drive it every day I can.

[@clivehorridge]

Truly stunning work and result, otherwise somewhat speechless.... can’t say more than that... 🇷🇴🇬🇧👍🏻

[@larsfrandsen2501]

What he said!

[@floridahummer]

you can't beat a skilled craftsman, fantastic job.

[@kougerat5388]

Jaw dropping restoration, one of the best I've seen yet I had to watch it twice ! Huge thank you to Classic Fabrications and the owner for sharing this and again to the owner for having deep pockets thus allowing all involved to work their magic. Time to sub ;-)

[@alisherruziev466]

Титанический труд, и потрясающий результат. Машина красотка!

[@nadheembera9250]

I always appreciate a true hands on restoration like this. A lot of skill that is fading away in this modern age. Well done and keep bringing pieces of History and true automotive legends back into existence. My comments will never be enough praise as you guys as have put in real heart into this.

[@seanrobert9661]

Yes those who have know

[@johnleonard8311]

Beautiful work on the bench with the fixtures ! The Germans would be proud.

[@Wolfdings]

They are, my friend :) They are

[@stephenhenion8304]

Great job on a car that needed saving. First class effort! Motor On!

[@FhVW]

This is basically building a new one from scratch. What a craftmanship!

[@templeviewgate]

One of most revered beauty of old vintage cars list, looks like bread loaf for any kid to imagine. Love the way it was caressed back to original glory. Appreciated.

[@guspisano9777]

Amazing work. Love the classic English wheel. I'm just dumbfounded that the car got into such sad condition in the first place

[@simonrussell6884]

Must be one heck of a rare car to go through all that, you guys are truly masters of your trade.

[@conceptalfa]

Its a 54 Speedster!!!! Pretty rare and coveted I'd say...although have a little difficulty imagining the restoration cost, must have been astronomical!!!!!

[@simonrussell6884]

@@conceptalfa …..I’m not a Porsche guy buy any stretch of the imagination but this work is mind blowing.

[@RickGTI2019]

I have never seen such amazing talent, great work !

[@dragraceman21]

Mad props to the craftsman that resurrected this car, amazing restoration!

[@shekhongchan3755]

it left me merely speechless ! what a magnificent achievements you guys had made.. it's absolutely out of this world. Bravo !!

[@Gutemberg28]

Stunning, absolutely amazing piece of work and history!

[@AlCcesar]

Trabalho perfeito ! Perfect job !

[@Simon_W74]

It just goes to show that with the right attitude, tools an knowledge the consider too far gone is possible if you really want to save something and bring it back to life and better than it left the factory in some ways. If I had the skills to do this kind of work I'd have to wrestle with conversion from having the driving seat on the wrong side to keeping it totally original. Now a stunning example of British Craftsmanship.

[@tommoncrieff1154]

OMG. What a beauty. What incredible skill and pride in the hand-craftsmanship. Bravo.

[@andrewdavis3519]

What joy you must receive in job satisfaction.

[@peteohead]

That's the most accomplished restoration I have ever seen. Congratulations on a superb job. Subscribed.

[@charlescowden3843]

Wow that's all I can say .Thanks for saving a piece of history. Awesome job.

[@Warehouseskateboardsonline]

Amazing! That's for sharing your adventure. We hope you enjoy many miles.

[@francoisesicre2454]

Pe

[@chrisfisher1100]

That was wonderful.... Thank you for saving this beauty.......... REMARKABLE JOB

[@joshschneider9766]

Something sure slapped the taste out of the side of that Porsche alright. Great work fellas, thank s for bringing us all along. Hope whoever's got it now appreciates their restoration angels!

[@hassanakeel8508]

This is like the story of a person who lost his girlfriend in the busyness of life and after many years came back and found her a beautiful and beloved young woman as the day he met her for the first time.. amazing

[@felixcat9318]

Truly outstanding craftsmanship at its best! Masterful fabrication work, meticulously precise fitting, perfection in everything. How lovely to see this beautiful car being given a new lease of life for the next half century...

[@benoitglon3065]

I love the sign "occasion" (pre-owned) at the beginning. I was thinking "You don't say!" Nice work!

[@Oliwa1971]

Leute die solche Autos restaurieren, sind ganz grosse Künstler! Fantastisch!!!

[@HawthorneHillNaturePreserve]

I’m so blown away with the level of talent and skill some people have! Amazing!

[@vinulalvv7697]

Really appreciate the efforts of these professionals. I really loved watching it👍🥰

[@ClassicFabrications]

Thank you very much

[@g.h.1726]

They did above and beyond a beautiful job my question lies at what point does a "original" car stop being an original and become a replica from all the parts that have been replaced

[@charlesseymour1482]

No no no. Original it is!

[@charlesseymour1482]

Bad comment. Please appreciate a restoration that is well done. Replica talk is evil.

[@subroc1]

You and your team are real craftsman. The term restoration gets bandied about even when talking about just repairing an old thing and just putting it into service. Those that use the term loosely should look at this. This is a restoration and the definition of the term.. Well, this is as fine a restoration effort as I have ever seen. Thoroughly enjoyed the video and I applaud your effort.

[@배규현-r5f]

It's the rarest A speedster out of 356. It's amazing that such a scrapped car can be restored with only parts. In Korea, it's hard to see cars in the 90s and 2000s, but I'm jealous that they can restore these rare cars.

[@jurtifabio668]

there are videos of Mercedes Benz restoring old 300 SL ....

[@jurtifabio668]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6rIlHaJhsSmndU

[@piet8803]

Better than new. Why so many dislikes?

[@lordofkeebs8424]

Probably better than it coming out of the factory lol.

[@daveymach6941]

Woww absolutely stunning, your craftsmanship shines in steel and paint. Nice for the old girl to retire to Switzerland in her brand new twilight years lol. Thanks for sharing all that hard work.

[@brucebaker3523]

Super hard to imagine in 65 years people will be rebuilding todays technology, airbags, sensors, catalytic converters just to restore a 2020 GT3 RS and they'll have to make their own gas too!

[@scottimusgarrett15]

There'll be grizzled old dudes with long beards, sewing up passenger side airbags with cat-gut...🤔

[@79RuralLife]

will be done by machines...

[@brucebaker3523]

@@79RuralLife What a dull boring world it will be! No driving, no hobbies, no pride or adventure!

[@79RuralLife]

@@brucebaker3523 yeah.

[@kentvonseverin1257]

@@brucebaker3523 I think those of us refusing to go electric, will probably pay huge fees to be able to drive ICE vehicles. 2030 FA Porsche says they will be all electric. In California we burn coal to create most of our electricity.which is inane. Look at our dependency on electricity today vs 15 years ago. Don't tell anyone that your 356 or early 911 emits about 1000x the emissions of a modern internal combustion vehicle.

[@MarcoPietrangelo975]

Possiamo dire che avete fatto un miracolo??? Io direi assolutamente si! Avete fatto un lavoro incredibile!🧙🏻‍♂️🪄🪄🪄

[@georgechivu4226]

This is some next level restoration. Most YT channels do a lousy restoration job, but this is something else.

[@Dixler683]

1/2 way through I wised up and turned off the sound. Remarkable work!

[@ВасВас-с9х]

Аж слёзы потекли.👍

[@From_Rust_To_Roadworthy]

Amazing job! The before-and-after on this one is mind-blowing. Hats off to your craftsmanship!

[@tylershelton7386]

What a beauty, and many years of pure joy to the lucky owner. Something so precious will never be allowed to deteriorate again. This car is far from reaching half of its life span.

[@AndreLuiz-ip3fh]

Thank you for sharing this work of art with us.

[@Green_Gundel]

I have never seen such a decent job with such a wonderful result. Thanks for the nice video!

[@Gate3739]

This is an insane restauration Ferry would have been proud of your work! Great job awesome car!

[@AndrewBoundy]

Glad she's getting driven on fun roads and isn't just stuck in a garage. Great craftsmanship - congrats.

[@terrydactyl868]

Great to see we still have true craftsmen able to do this. Magnificent job and the 356 speedster must surely be one of the worlds beautiful cars.

[@frankvella1392]

Ho lord that's Sad !!!😭but beautiful work !!👍😍

[@CarsRestored]

Me: No way he can repair this Classic Fabrications: Hold my beer

[@RohitSharma-xs4ht]

Rjdyeod

[@matto9734]

You have to hold the beer for a veeerry long time ;-)

[@RobertFullStop]

There are no words that can describe the work you've done. I'm curious to know how long it took and how much that kind of restoration would cost.

[@simonl4523]

There is one word: professional. Amazing to see it.

[@karlrensburg3472]

As a mechanic, we hail people like this in the industry, They are next level genius. 👏👏👏👏👏

[@fraa888grindr6]

I new a guy who rebuilt/converted a 356 to electric, back in 2000, and it was the sleeper of all sleepers off the line: sick quick he called it. Absolutely gorgeous restoration by the way.

[@mikeymikeFType]

Where do you start with such a project? I struggle to get my car washed on a regular basis. Incredible job.

[@dgibbsfl]

One of the most amazing restorations I have seen; stuff I didn't even know was possible. Thanks for sharing.

[@peterhodges6684]

True talent, well done Indeed !

[@nrich5127]

The high degree of craftmanship is off the scale and the final result can only be described as excellent.

[@СтёпаСигалов]

Обалдеть! Даже трудно представить какой колоссальный труд восстанавливать подобный металлолом! Результат впечатляет.

[@lenny108]

5:20 right, this is the 1955 Porsche engine sound

[@oOoMasterblasteroOo]

It's essentially right off of the assembly line with zero miles. With all of the fabrication that had to happen to replace all of the rusted parts and electronics, it's brand new!

[@PaintmanJohn]

Electronics ? WHAT ELECTRONICS ?!?!?

[@oOoMasterblasteroOo]

@@PaintmanJohn lol So zero wiring and electronics? hmmm 1955. yeah, no electronics. I was thinking basic wiring harnesses and stuff for headlamps, tail lamps, fuel indicators, etc. That all had to be brand new, right?

[@Itsonlymeee1]

It doesn’t get any better than that. Beautiful restoration, lovely colour combination. Absolutely stunning. Steering wheel on the wrong side for me though 😀

[@jerrygiarratana9462]

It's giomen

[@LordCommanderEdTN]

Is the steering wheel on the wrong side? Almost everyone on the planet uses it on that side!

[@alribee]

Speedster will live in Switzerland. But if driving carefully, one can do just fine with the wheel on the wrong side. I'm sure the owner will drive carefully.

[@ak-northman726]

Amazing craftsmanship. I would happily watch the complete restoration in video as apposed to photos so I could see the craftsmen at work.

[@timothyharrison8953]

I've seen guys in Europe take less sheetmetal from the woods representing barn door buses and restore them. Great craftsmen, these metalsmiths!

[@nickfarrell4129]

Is it a restoration or is it building a new car😂 really great job. Excellent craftsmanship making all of those custom parts. Would be near impossible to source originals

[@mvmarinoa6553]

My God, my heart is racing from just watching this! Beautiful work.

[@shuginubi]

seeing all rusted parts cut out and new parts welded really gives me satisfaction

[@stevehaynes2857]

Quite astonishing level of craftsmanship, if I had the money I would buy it. Awesome work.

[@nfbrasil]

Espetacular!!! Parabéns!!! 👏👏👏