Name:  Jim and Cindy Mieling



My car:

1955 Pre-A sunroof coupe (53241) .

Tip-off that a 356 was the car for me:

Fell in love with the iconic shape and was wanting something German to play with.

My age when I acquired my first 356:

The ripe old age of 23, I am turning 60 in January, still have my first one.

Engine type:

1500 Super, when I went through the motor in the early 80’s I installed the Japanese 1720 big bore kit with Weber carbs set up.

Miles driven per year:

Over the last 35 plus years of ownership maybe a total of 30,000 miles of good weather, summer driving.

Favorite destination:

Road America, Door County, Date night anywhere.

Fantasy road trip:

ALL of Rte. 66

Most inconvenient mechanical failure:

Had only one over all these years, the positive battery cable came apart at the battery post.  Push started it, drove it home.

Car I'd have if I couldn't have a 356:

Maybe a new Cayman S coupe?

What I like most about my car:

I just love the gearing and the lower RPM torque curve.

Most unique feature:

The factory sunroof, 8 day wind up clock, retractable antenna.  (This car would have been a “Continental” if it was destined for the US market.)

Most recent repair:

Complete disassembly for a body repair and complete repaint.  Employee side swiped my car at work.

Longest drive so far:

Mid Ohio race track.

Next project with this car:

I’ve owned this car long enough to restore it twice! Once in the early 80’s and again now in 2014, nothing left to do, back to my 944 race car.