Porsche 356 Tool Kits
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Important disclaimer: I am not an expert on 356 tools! I have collected information from multiple sources, including my own observations, and try to present it on this site in a coherent manner. There will always be variations and differences from what is presented here. This site should be considered a work in progress, and not a definitive statement on what is correct for 356 tool kits. Use this site at your own risk, and please tell me if you find errors or can contribute to the site.

Jacks
(scroll down for jack handles)

All 356's had a jack which lifted the car by way of a jacking point under the rocker panel on either side of the car. The rectangular "peg" on the jack fit into a receiver, and both wheels on that side would be lifted off the ground.

1950-55:
Vigot-Bilstein jack (left photo, below) - was used together with the Hazet 772 lug wrench included in the tool kit. Turning the 19mm bolt head at the top of the jack either direction caused the peg to move up and down the body of the jack.

Click on these thumbnails for details of the 1950-55 Vigot/Bilstein:

Above: unrestored jack from 1952 "America" Roadster. Click here for the story (photo: The Schiemer Archive)

Hazet 772/2 - used for operating this jack

1955-65:
Cranking the lifting assembly with the supplied rod moved the peg up the shaft of the jack. Levering between two castings would release the jack. Had a rubber buffer on top to prevent damage to bodywork if it got too close. Base was painted blue, peg casting was painted black, and smaller parts were plated(?). Four main varieties as described in the table and pictures below. the peg that goes into the jack receiver is at a 112 degree angle from the shaft - watch out for VW jacks which look similar, but are at a 90 degree angle. Other minor varieties exist within these 4 main types, but I don't have much information on them yet.

Thanks to Don Marks of Gearhead Co. for providing me with valuable information about these jacks.

year (approx.)	length of shaft	shaft finish	base	lifting peg	reference
1955	18 3/8"	shiny	marked "Bilstein Vigot DRP 520996 UA"	hollow sides, sharp transition	A
1956/57	20 3/8" (rarely 18 3/8")	shiny	some marked as above, others simply "Bilstein"	hollow sides, curved transition	B
1957-62	20 3/8"	shiny or Parkerized (changed in late T6B era)	marked "Bilstein"	hollow sides, divided by reinforcement	C
1962-65	20 3/8"	Parkerized	marked "Bilstein"	hollow sides on end only	D

Type "A", as seen in the owner's manual photo:

Pre-A (left), type "C" (middle), and type "D" (right):

Type "A", left and "B", right.

Unused, unrestored type "D" jack:

Restoration tip: Ken Daugherty of 356 Werkstatt in Louisville, KY informs me that 1959-1965 Volkswagen Sea Blue, code L360, is a perfect match for the base of these jacks. Thanks Ken!

Jack Handles

Pre-A:
Used the Hazet 772/2 lugwrench as described above.

1956-1962 jack handle:
Some controversy - was it the same as a VW jack handle, or was there a longer one for the 356? The earliest A jack handle may have been larger diameter also.

1963 jack handle/lugwrench:

1964-65 jack handle/lugwrench:

WANTED: photographs of tool kits and individual tools, and information about them if you can expand or correct the descriptions I have provided on these pages. Contact me: eric@356a.com Also: if you have old tools you want to sell, please tell me. I may be interested.

Please visit my Porsche 356 serial number and engine reference site: www.356a.com