greenr

I am looking at a 356 speedster from Automotive Legends in Malibu, CA. Does anyone know anything about them and their cars? Or anything comments in general on repros? Driveability, resale, etc.

thapimp356

Hi-
Most of the Speedster replicas are well sorted cars that will provide hours of fun. They are great as long as you buy one knowing a few catches.
1. They will not go up in value, news ones are built every day.
2. Certain Porsches guys will sneer at you and not share your enthusiasm.

But, if you are ok with the few catches they can be a GREAT way to enjoy the Porsche look with little or no costly maintience. I would rather see someone buy a replica and drive every weekend than sit around and say if they can't afford a real one, they would rather drive the Camry all the time.
It's like Clint says, "A man has to know his limitations." In this case you have to know the limitations of a Speedster replica. I had a CMC replica about 5 years ago. Me and my lady went and got Dim Sum in it every weekend. I now have two 356s and a 914/6, none of which are running, all are deep in restoration. Some days that CMC would be a lot more fun spending yet another day welding on my Roadster. I am sure my wife would agree.

See ya-
Adam
63 Coupe 212104
60 Roadster 88661
71 914/6
Registry 17369

greenr

thanks for the response. I trust this board implicitly and hoping for some good advice (without flames)

mborkow

that does look pretty cool...it's too bad porsche's own later 911 speedster doesn't look that good!

flatsixnut

They really ruined that coupe to make that "thing".

TC/914

My thoughts EXACTLY. I wouldn't even CONSIDER. let along go through with a coupe to Speedster conversion on ANY Porsche, regardless of it's state of ruin or disrepair.

Why . . . that's INSANE, isn't it ?

RJT

EC has had that car for a long long LONG time.................
We saw it in person. Very VERY VERY BAD chop job. Must be a consignment car, because I can't believe that Nick would have bought that car as inventory.

JoAnne

bobbigham

I have had several replicas...very experienced in that area...I have a beautiful Intermeccanica Roadster, and very willing to give some advice on the issue of replicas.
Vintage puts out quite a few Speedster replicas every year, very affordable, but still on the old VW bug chassis, then you can go up from there. Thapimp356 is quite correct in his comments...do you want to drive it or rebuild it?

bobbigham

Here are some pictures of my "replica"...these were on a bad day before delivery last year.

The power is from a built 2110 140 hp VW engine, with a 5 speed Porsche 901 transmission.

Keep in mind this is not a replacement for a "real" 356, but if you want to drive it, it is a reasonable option.

Vancouver83LTD

A daily driver 356 coupe will run you about the same.

ked

bob, that is a very nice Inter-Roadster... Reisner has developed the car so far that it is nearly a wholly manufactured continuation-concept in its own right.

N.Masco

Bobbigham, that conv-d is beautiful. I am 6'5 - do I have a chance of fitting in it?

-Neil

bobbigham

Thanks...yes Henry builds a beautiful car.....6'5" i'm not sure, I would think that the seat track would have to be removed, seat lowered, but still not sure. The car is actually sorta roomy, and without the a/c panel added, it might just work, at least the Roadster version has the higher windshield and roof over the speedster model.
If you are 6'5" you know that there aren't a lot of models that would fit. My father in law has the same problem.
You woul still have to fold up a good bit to get in.

ked

here's the IM site... the kubelwagen looks like fun...
http://www.intermeccanica.com/index.html

mborkow

initially...but what about on going maintenance? i'd guess (and this is just a guess) that the real thing would cost a lot more $ down the line --though it may well be worth it; when it comes to this issue i feel like i have one foot nailed to the floor, but i am still trying to make forward progress with the other foot. i have never driven either (a real 356 or a reproduction). some seat time in each might make it pretty clear...