PPI of 550 Beck Spyder in Lexington KY?

[ckissick]

Is this a scam? Becks typically are going for $30K and up. This one is half that. Can someone in Lexington check it out for me?

Cars - 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder Beck

[SpyderMike]

You might ask someone on www.spyderclub.com • Index page. This looks a bit hacked...might have been a kit. Some things look odd to me, but then mine is circa 1989.

[ckissick]

What looks hacked about it? And what do you mean by, "it might be a kit?" It's a Beck, so of course it's a kit. Do you mean it's not really a Beck?

I emailed the moderator for the spyderclub. He has to approve my membership.

[SpyderMike]

Back in the day, you could buy a "kit" of the basic parts and finish it yourself or Beck would do the work and complete a turnkey car for you. So they were/are not all "kits". The serial number might have a clue, but I can't see the serial number plate well enough to tell. I have a serial number 191 and I bought directly from Beck in 1989 as a kit (while living real close to their shop in Upland, CA) and finished it myself. Back then the kit was less that $7k (depending on what options you put on it). I put in a VW 2180 motor. I still have the car. I still have paperwork from that period that defines the pricing and options.

Here is my first impression of what is "hacked" (meaning owner done and not Beck done):
Gauges in the main cluster are not the ones Beck supplied
Gauges in the dash
No buttons on the dash
Fuel tank setup
Front bulkhead looking thing in the front trunk
Brake reservoir setup
Location of serial number plate
The side mirrors
The front hood hinges
The sheetmetal panels under the doors
Cable shifter

My gut says it was a base kit that someone completed, or it was a Beck turnkey that was owner modified fairly extensively. Either way, if it floats your boat...go for it. There isn't much to these cars and they are easy to work on.

[ckissick]

Thanks for the education. For the price, it might be worth it. I'm just looking for something to have some fun with.

[SpyderMike]

It is a reasonable price if the engine and transmission are good. The rest is relatively easy to sort out.

If the spyderclub forum doesn't give you access for a while, let me know and I can post there for you.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I've never seen a single palm tree in the many times I visited Kentucky.

Something doesn't pass the sniff test with that ad.

[Shuie]

same listing and story in another ad from LA with a name and contact number:

1955 porsche 550 spyder beck build with porsche 912 motor for sale in Los Angeles, California

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by SpyderMike

It is a reasonable price if the engine and transmission are good. The rest is relatively easy to sort out.

If the spyderclub forum doesn't give you access for a while, let me know and I can post there for you.

I got on the spyder forum. I posted a thread 3 hours ago, but no one has even read it yet. I guess they don't get much traffic.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

I've never seen a single palm tree in the many times I visited Kentucky.

Something doesn't pass the sniff test with that ad.

Looks like Hancock Park area of LA.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

I've never seen a single palm tree in the many times I visited Kentucky.

Something doesn't pass the sniff test with that ad.

LOL, good catch!

It is in my area code but I have no idea about these cars... no shortage of Porsche shops in the area though, I heard good things about these guys back when I had my 944:

Lomita 911
1216 W 253rd St, Harbor City, CA 90710
(310) 534-3631

Edit to add reverse phone number scan on number in add say Hermosa Beach.

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by Shuie

same listing and story in another ad from LA with a name and contact number:

1955 porsche 550 spyder beck build with porsche 912 motor for sale in Los Angeles, California

I contacted the seller, asking where the car really is.

[SpyderMike]

Originally Posted by ckissick

I got on the spyder forum. I posted a thread 3 hours ago, but no one has even read it yet. I guess they don't get much traffic.

True that. There might be someone from that area knowledgeable in the Beck's though, you never know.

Given it is a 912 motor and VW transmission, it might make sense to try a PPI from the reference above (if the car is indeed in Hermosa Beach and not in Kentucky). That is where most of the money is in the car...the rest is VW aftermarket for the most part.

If the car is in Hermosa Beach, you will have more spyder knowledgeable people who can help out (including Larry, the moderator of www.spyderclub.com • Index page) who lives east of there.

If you are serious about the car, then find the location and ask for more photos and a shot of the serial number plate. The "Beck" is still in business as Special Editions, Inc., as they took over from Chuck Beck. They seem very nice and helpful. Maybe they can run down the build history:

BECK Speedster, BECK Spyder, BECK Roadster and BECK GTS

[SpyderMike]

Where are you located ckissick? Which beach are you near?

Seeing your tagline and list of cars, I reckon you are VW knowledgeable. These Becks are usually based on the mid 1960s model - swing axle, trans, wiring, lights, switches, etc.

[ckissick]

I'm in Half Moon Bay. Most Becks that are for sale are in SoCal. So my plan is to fly down to LA or San Diego, buy a spyder, and drive it home. I wish Hwy 1 through Big Sur was open.

I contacted the seller, but no response yet. I asked why it was also said to be in KY. I won't be surprised if I don't here back.

[SpyderMike]

That would be a nice area to have a spyder!

Keep an eye on spyderclub...guys tend to list there before ebay and the like. Are you familiar with the other brands out there (Vintage, Thunder Ranch, MW, Seduction Motorsports, etc)? If not, read up on Spyderclub or send me a PM.

If you are into a project or finishing a kit, there was a smoking deal six months ago - check this out:

www.spyderclub.com • View topic - 2014 CCW 550 Spyder Base Kit - $3,000 OBO NEW PRICE

I would suggest calling to see if that one is still there or where it went (if you are into building one up). Here is another lead on a kit to complete from an April posting on Spyderclub:

I have an older Spyder (Beck) project body/chassis with a lot of aluminum work and accessories installed. PM me or e-mail me if you;d like details and pics.
Carey
Carey Hines
Special Edition, Inc.

Good luck with the search, if I can help in any way let me know.

Mike

[ckissick]

While assembling a spyder would be fun, I'm up to my neck in my 912 project right now. One huge project is enough. I want something I can drive home.

Beverly Hills Motor Cars in San Diego has a bunch for sale. Do you know anything about them?

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by ckissick

Is this a scam? Becks typically are going for $30K and up. This one is half that. Can someone in Lexington check it out for me?

Cars - 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder Beck

Seems like a scam but in case it isn't, I work in Lexington and can swing by and check it out for you.

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by epbrown

Seems like a scam but in case it isn't, I work in Lexington and can swing by and check it out for you.

Thanks for the offer. I contacted the seller at both websites almost 24 hours ago, asking both why the car was listed at two locations. Crickets. Even a kit car with cheap gauges can't be that cheap.

[icemann427]

There are an incredible amount of "auto sales" scams out there. Any sale that seems too good to be true, probably is. However, the mere fact that it is listed in different locales doesn't necessarily mean it is a scam. When I sold my 930 and my 66' Mustang, I listed them, both, in maybe four or five major cities within a thousand miles of me for good exposure.

Good luck with this one...