550 Spyder Replicas

I have one of the original Beck Spyders from the 80s that has been completely restored including 1,000 hrs of labor hand polishing the aluminum interior (much more impressive with the floor mats removed). It has original gauges, headlights, etc. It also has a CB performance motor and all of the "patina" you want in a car of this calibur. It's literally one of the nicest in the country and I'm thinking about selling it--but it won't be cheap. Let me know if you're interested.
Vivek
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I'd wait for Bullfighter to weigh in. As I understand it, he's a 356/550 replica aficionado with a deep appreciation for the authentic reproduction medium.

 

Don't get me started, lol.

On a more serious note, you can get a very nice real Porsche 356 for <$50K. I would go that route, if you're planning on spending north of $20K. An awesome car to drive, gets lots of love on the road, and when people ask what you're driving you don't have to make excuses.

 

I just took mine to the Italian car show at Larz Anderson last weekend, not expecting to show the car, but they insisted on putting my car on the front lawn as you walk in. Needless to say the car is quite the head turner. As far as driving it, its a pure adrenaline rush, 0-60 in 5.8 seconds. Mine was built by Stuttgart Spyders, not a well known name in the US as they exported most of their builds to other countries. There's a handful of them with US owners, I was lucky enough to get their last car.
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I love the E-Types. Garage space permitting, I might do a Series 1 roadster at some point. They really are astonishing works of art. But even with modernized components I doubt they would be as bulletproof as the 356 -- a factor if you want it mostly to drive rather than show.

For the 356s, the A's look the best, IMHO, but the B's are now widely regarded as the best buys of the run -- better to drive, and underpriced between the classic A's and the more powerful C's. I don't think you would lose money on a 356B sunroof coupe in a good color.

These cars are eligible for a lot of vintage/historic events -- not a bad way to get into the classic sports car world.

A Porsche 550 Spyder is a seven figure car. I probably never will own one, but I have watched them run up at Monterey and here at Coronado, and the real ones are heartstoppingly cool -- lots of ghosts in those cars. And you will be eligible for every historic racing/touring event on the planet.

 

It says 'Porsche' on the bonnet, so maybe a few people were fooled.

 

Why is this thread in the Porsche forum? Just asking.

 

The performance envelope on 356s is low compared to modern sports cars, so I tend to agree with you. If you're going for a classic, there's a lot to be said for purity of line.

Also, any of the 1600cc engines can be rebuilt for a bit more power.

 

Mathew,

Thank you for trying to educate me. I believe a 550 still is a Porsche by the way. I also believe that Porsches have been built/assembled in Gmund, Austria; Stuttgart, Germany; Brussells, Belgium; Valmet, Finland and even South Africa. I thought that 550 Porsches have aluminum bodies and Fuhrmann engines. None of these things apply to the kits being discussed here. Thus the question : Why are these things being discussed in a Porsche forum? Sorry if you think that makes me a jerk Matt. May I assume that you think that this is a Ferrari? http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1817619828.html

Ron Hetherington
just jerking chains

 

Ummm... they don't sell Gmund Coupe's, 356, 356s, 356As, 356Bs, 356Cs, 550s, 550As, RS 60s, 904s, 906s, 908s, 910s, 911s, 912s, 917s, 928s, 930s, 935s, 936s, 956s, 962s, 964s, 993s, 996s ............ well, you get the picture. I think that we can all agree that they still Porsches are they not?

 

And this is why I don't think you have a sense of humor. If you find your self in Denver I will buy you a beer and we can have a mountain drive in a vintage Porsche. (made in Belgium)

 

And I think that I am tall and good looking.

 

Psst, hey -- you typed '996' in your list. I think you can still edit the post though.

 

Very good!

OMG this posted at 924.

 

i forgot the original question..however i did have a "real" 550 spyder [chassis 0048] long ago and built up a thunder ranch kit a few years back...i dunno, the feel of the real car is pretty hard to duplicate...even tho the bits looked a lot like porsche and vw parts of the period it seems most of it was specially fabricated for the spyders and really not a 356 part..fun to drive but not to work on...[kinda like bugattis actually]

the finished kit looked good but i couldn't help thinking it felt like a meyers manx..[dune buggy to you kids out there]

 

I haven't driven a real 550, but from my 356 experience I think you're right. The structure of the real ones gives them a unique feel/sound.

Anyone who's a serious sports car enthusiast should do the real thing at least once before deciding whether a plastic kit car is going to scratch the same itch.

 

I owned a beautiful replica for less than 24 hours and it was the best time... I've driven a lot of nice cars but never have I attracted so much attention driving in this little race car! It was silver with red interior...unfortunately it caught on fire at a light and it took me a while to put out the fire from the carburators...I ended up returning the car the next day. I'll try to dig up some pictures...

Will