Many 356 owners have parts manuals to help them select parts for the work they do on their beloved car. Some folks use virtual parts information, some original books, some copies. Workshop manuals are of great help too.
Once in a while there is a part for sale that is clearly a part for a 356 (616) engine, but the part number can't be found in any of the parts manuals- even if it was produced during 356 production. Confused? Well is is possible. Fellow enthusiast, how can that be? PORSCHE made the 616 type engine in different configurations. Most went into cars, but others went into airplanes, boats, and some went into industrial applications such as pumps, generators and more. The basics of the type 616 industrial motors were much the same as for the cars, but the platform had changes to accommodate the different mountings, environment, running speeds and torque. Some parts were the same, others were different. PORSCHE used the same format for parts manuals for these engines, and I am fortunate enough to have acquired a pristine copy of one of these manuals. See below for photos. There is one significant change with this binder of parts. Same format/look EXCEPT the size. To demonstrate the difference, I pulled the new book out on the bookshelf. The height of this binder is the same as the B and C parts manuals and the binder is otherwise proportional to the other much taller 4 ring binders. In 1998 I went to the PORSCHE 50th Anniversary celebration in Monterey. What an incredible event! I saw a lots of amazing cars, but some things really stood out. I recall a car painted in Polyantha and thought it was the prettiest color I had ever seen. Several hand crafted one-off wood steering wheels, and incredible people. One thing I also saw was an original set of back seat luggage straps. Not reproductions like are currently in fashion, but the real thing. Since that time I have been on the lookout- 22 years! I have seen black sets, but my car has a brown interior and I wanted them to match up, be original, and needed the leather supple enough to use. I found them! Pictures are below. A few notes for those who might start their own search. The buckle is unique, and looks alot like the buckle on the original spare tire strap. The buckle is flat on the sides, and the pin has a pointy end. Hard to describe but look at the photo. I am showing a close up of the buckle on the interior luggage straps and a photo of the buckle on my spare tire strap. Of course, for the interior of the car the buckle is chrome, not painted. Also note the now faded but white backside of the leather. This is a common trait of the originals. I think they are going to look great with the fawn color interior! I'm now fortunate enough to have a full set of interior luggage straps, a full set of luggage straps for suitcases on the Lietz luggage rack, and a full set of red ski/poles straps for the rack as well. Done! And here is the buckle on the original spare tire strap-
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October 2022
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