Glas 1300 GT Coupé restoration with almost complete scope of work
Another restoration project from Switzerland, more precisely from the Lake Constance region. This Glas 1300 GT Coupé came to us in the Czech Republic after we had already had the pleasure of overseeing a previous Glas project.
Our workshops handle almost all the work on this vehicle, with the exception of the engine. The scope of work includes bodywork, painting, interior, mechanical installation, assembly, and many details that require particularly careful inspection on a rare German sports coupé of this type.
With the Glas 1300 GT, it's not just the visible condition that determines the future restoration costs. Completeness is just as important. Trim strips, chrome parts, interior fittings, lights, seals, instruments, and model-specific small parts are not easy to find today.
Therefore, a Glas 1300 GT restoration doesn't begin with a quick disassembly. First, existing parts are documented, identified, and checked for reusability. Anything that remains unclear during disassembly will later be missing during reassembly or cost a lot of time when searching for Glas replacement parts.
Glas 1300 GT Coupé with Frua body and rare parts inventory
The Glas 1300 GT is one of the German sports coupes of the 1960s that were not produced in large numbers. The design is by Pietro Frua, the bodies were built by Maggiora in Italy and then completed by Glas in Dingolfing.
This provenance is important for the Glas GT restoration. A Glas 1300 GT is not a mass-produced vehicle where every missing detail can be quickly replaced. Many parts must be preserved, refurbished, or specifically sourced.
Chrome trim, window frames, lights, seals, and interior parts deserve particular attention. On a rare Frua Coupé, a missing trim piece can later cause more work than a major mechanical repair. Original parts are only replaced when restoration is no longer technically or aesthetically worthwhile.
Bodywork, painting and technical assembly without engine overhaul
The bodywork on this classic Glas car is the first step. Sills, floor panels, A-pillar area, B-pillar area, wheel arches, front fenders, rear quarter panels, door bottoms, and front and rear sections must be thoroughly inspected.
Before painting, damaged areas are exposed and properly repaired. Old repairs, filler, poorly welded sheet metal, or hidden rust spots must not simply be covered up. The subsequent paint finish will only adhere permanently if the sheet metal structure is sound.
The interior is also a separate work area. Seats, door panels, dashboard, instruments, switches, carpets, headliner, and seals are all identified and inspected. With rare vehicles, it's often better to refurbish original parts rather than hastily searching for replacements.
The engine is excluded from this project. Nevertheless, the technical setup remains extensive. Transmission, clutch, brake system, chassis, steering, electrical system, fuel system, cooling system, and axle components are inspected according to their findings and prepared for later assembly.
A rare coupé needs a thorough parts inspection before assembly.
With this Glas 1300 GT Coupé, the body's condition, the available parts, and the desired final state all dictate the process. Only when it's clear which original parts are present and which assemblies need work can the restoration be properly planned.
If you're looking to restore a Glas 1300 GT Coupé, a BMW 1600 GT, or another rare coupé, photos of the body, undercarriage, wheel arches, sills, interior, chrome parts, trim, mechanical components, and any available parts will be helpful. In our workshops in the Czech Republic, we'll assess how the bodywork, paintwork, interior, mechanical setup, and assembly can be seamlessly integrated.
