And we thought we had Go-Carts... Check out LeeH's 550 replica!

Jeff · 08-29-2005, 06:02 AM

LeeH stopped by yeaterday with his new (to him) 550 replica. Man that is fun to drive! I think I got more waves and thumbs up driving around my Neighborhood in that thing than I've recieved in the entire time I've owned the 911! It's like a Go-cart and at 1400 lbs it scoots along suprisingly fast. Good looking car, here are some pics...

LeeH with his new toy.

And Lee taking my wife out for a ride...

jtratza · 08-29-2005, 06:24 AM

Last picture makes your 911 look like as large as a suburban. Well maybe not that big. Very cool car.

s_wilwerding · s_wilwerding's Garage

Is the engine behind the transmission? That's the first 550 Replica I've seen that has that much space between the engine and bulkhead behind the seats.

sammyg2 · 08-29-2005, 06:30 AM

I was just thinkimg the same thing, I thought 550s were mid engined.

oneblueyedog · oneblueyedog's Garage

That car makes a 914 look huge. Nice work.

}{arlequin · }{arlequin's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by s_wilwerding
Is the engine behind the transmission? That's the first 550 Replica I've seen that has that much space between the engine and bulkhead behind the seats.

i was thinking the same thing... seems like maybe a vw beetle chassis was used which would explain the mid- to rear-engine config change.

Jeff · 08-29-2005, 06:39 AM

Tom, It sits low. Does kind of make the 911 look big.

Steve, Yes the engine is behind the trans like a 911.

Jeff · 08-29-2005, 06:39 AM

Dave, it is on a VW pan.

LeeH · 08-29-2005, 06:51 AM

OK Jeff... Didn't know you got a shot of me standing on my head fixing the tach. Where's the one of you with the big grin???

I could hear jeff giggling over the straight pipe as he came back from taking it around the block. It's hard to not like this car.

And in true Pelican fashion Jeff says, "We gotta fix that steering." And proceeded to jack it up and do just that. It had a bit of play in the steering that I assumed was just an ancient VW steering gear box. It turned out to be the steering shaft was loose where it attached to the box! Yikes! That could have been nasty!

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

I think all the Beck 550's are mid-engined.

What make is LeeH's car?

Jeff · 08-29-2005, 07:03 AM

It's true... I was like a kid with a new toy when I drove that thing. It just put the biggest Sheeot eating grin on my face. Here's a pic but BEWARE it isn't pretty.

LeeH · 08-29-2005, 07:08 AM

I'm not sure of the make - may be Perry Design. This was an investment car so it'll be on Ebay in a week or two. Sure makes me want a Beck though.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

There's a 550 replica I see every now and then that has a 3.6L stuffed into it.

TRE Cup · TRE Cup's Garage

coool- its got a pre heat trunk in the back!

FasTommy · 08-29-2005, 12:08 PM

Sweet ride! So what size motor do you have pushing that thing around? I'm sure it doesn't take much in terms of hp to have plenty of fun, but that aftermarket exaust and dual 40mm Solex, "Kadron", carbs are a nice little addition to any type 1.

LeeH · 08-29-2005, 02:18 PM

The seller said 1772 CC. I never took VW math in school, so I don't know how he arrived at that number. Jeff demonstrated that a little throttle input in a turn would break the rear end loose.

Jeff · 08-29-2005, 03:26 PM

Giddy up! (pun intended)

FasTommy · 08-30-2005, 01:15 AM

oh kool! A stock 1600cc I'm pretty sure had a 69mm stroke and 85.5mm bore. A popular and affordable upgrade which opens up the case and head to receive a 90.5mm piston. Which equates to a 1776.. might have been what he meant. I had quite a bit of experience with those carbuerators on a similar motor I had in my bug in high school. I did some modifications to the bulky air cleaner mount that sits just above the butterfly on each carb, as well as played around with the venturi size, which these 40mm carbs come with is only 28mm. Eventhough it was all for testosterone-filled high school drag racing, I picked up a consistent two-tenths in the quarter mile with that little more top end power. Anyway have fun! Very jealous. Awesome car!

Cornpanzer · 08-30-2005, 05:35 AM

You may wish to relocate that oil cooler. Rule #1 (or at least close) with a VW motor is never block the cooling fan inlet with an oil cooler. You are preheating the cooliing air that travels over the cylinders and heads with that oil cooler which in turn raises the oil and head temps making the cooler hotter and it becomes a vicious cycle.

flipper · flipper's Garage

So you are selling it? Is that what I heard? Pm me, I am interested!!