Thinking about buying Porsche #4... 550 Spyder Replica

AFJuvat · 10-13-2001, 05:24 AM

Well, not exactly a true Porsche - In the early - 1960's Body kits were sold.

The Car is pristine, all original Porsche parts (except for the body) The body is as close to the original as I have ever seen - and it is made out of aluminum.

Price: $25,000

Should I go for it?

AFJuvat

95 968
85.5 944
75 914
(550 Spyder??)

fty · 10-13-2001, 07:00 AM

wow........those cars are awsome....pretty damn quick for the time too...original type engine?-chris

------------------
"Faster,Than,You"
"Wish I had a 951....."
"Ive tried so hard and got so far but in the end it doesnt even matter"
http://www.members.aol.com:/fty9999/944land/944land.htm

AFJuvat · 10-13-2001, 07:54 AM

My bad - a 356 1600 Super engine.

Not 100% sure if that is what was in the original, but it was a quick engine

AFJuvat

Rollins · 10-13-2001, 09:50 AM

If you can afford it (without straining yourself) I would definitely buy it. Those things are beautiful, and as FTY said, pretty quick. That would definitely be more of a weekend car. It's got some inherent dangers to it. Anyway, I would definitely say go for it if you can.
-Tim

josh912 · 10-13-2001, 09:54 AM

came with 4 cam carrera engine. However, they are very pricy and not a fix it yourself engine. The 356 engine is. Your way down on horses but the 550 is an awesome car, even the replicas.

Rollins · 10-13-2001, 09:56 AM

It's rear engined right? Could you drop a 911 engine in?

1.2gees · 1.2gees's Garage

$25k is way too much for a used example (is it used, I'm not positive from your post). That's how much good examples go for, brand new.

Flat 6 can be dropped in, but it requires a lot of custom work. IMO it's not necessary either. Around 1k lbs, and 100+hp make for a pretty fast car...
Ahmet

------------------
It's all the driver...
My page over1g@hotmail.com
Porsche owners Gallery.../My 944

TheStig · 10-13-2001, 01:55 PM

I agree with rollins, put a 3.2 in there and watch that lil crazy silver thing fly

------------------
Porsche. Es gibt keinen Ersatz.

Rollins · 10-13-2001, 02:17 PM

So then if a flat six is too much, how about the 4 from the 912?

1.2gees · 1.2gees's Garage

A flat 6 is not necessary for the car to be very fast. Infact, besides it'll considerably increase weight, and cooling requirements. Extra weight will make the car less nimble, and slower reacting to inputs, as well as constitute a need to upgrade the brakes, all not necessary IMO.

I don't see a reason to waste money on a 912 engine, a vw flat 4 can be modified to produce 130+ fairly easily, which should put the car in the high 4s 0-60. Even with 75hp or so the cars supposedly light the tires up, anytime you get on it hard...
Ahmet

------------------
It's all the driver...
My page over1g@hotmail.com
Porsche owners Gallery.../My 944

wolfrpi · 10-13-2001, 05:13 PM

I think you can get a new Beck replica for about the same price. That would be a much better car because of the advancements in materials and construction since then. In addition you might actually get a warranty. Also, it will be much more reliable than a car 40 years old running 40 year old running gear.

The Beck will look the same and perform better, retain its value better, and give you less hassles. In addition, you can configure it with a variety of optional and reliable powerplants.

A 40 year replica IMHO will never be worth much, and you'll always have to tell people that it is a Replica.

I think Beck is local (Huntington Beach?) and I know a guy that was thinking about buying one. He apparently talked to some very satisfied owners, but in the end decided that for about 10-15k more he could have an almost new and safe Boxster.

Good luck in which ever you decide to do.

Erick

joemun · 10-13-2001, 06:11 PM

Check out Beck's web site
http://www.beckcars.com/
$21,500 for the spyder

p.s. they're in Hesperia California

Obin Robinson · 10-13-2001, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AFJuvat:
Well, not exactly a true Porsche - In the early - 1960's Body kits were sold.

The Car is pristine, all original Porsche parts (except for the body) The body is as close to the original as I have ever seen - and it is made out of aluminum.

Price: $25,000

Should I go for it?

AFJuvat

95 968
85.5 944
75 914
(550 Spyder??)

hmm, if it were MY cash, i'd say "no" and go for the Beck 550 spyder. they will look identical and the Beck will be easier to get parts for if something gets dinged. the price is less, and if you put a more powerful engine in the Beck, it will be much faster than that other Spyder replica you're looking at.

not to mention... Beck is a very well known and respected name in Porsche circles.

http://www.beckcars.com/spyder.shtml

good luck!

obin

10-13-2001, 06:14 PM

Hey,
Man ive always been a fan of the 550 spyder replicas, the real ones are so out of my price range. I would also highly recommend the beck. THere are a bunch of used ones out there, even some with flat 6s in the back, you can get one used for 15-20k or a new one for 23-25k, depending on options such as engine and brakes, this is a MUCH better idea, than buying a 40 year old car. Beck had a FANTASTIC reputation and his cars are awesome, check out the websites and the 550 spyder club website, they will reiterate my comments. Good luck, if you get it, please post some pics!
Maciek

AFJuvat · 10-14-2001, 08:41 AM

Well, after listening to everybody, I have decided to give it another look - I'll have to give becks a call.

Will keep ya posted.

AFJuvat

typ550 · 11-02-2001, 07:30 AM

You can get a nice "pre-owned" example of a Beck or Vintage for well under that price. My advice is look around for a used, turnkey car and you can find some good deals (especially if you are willing to travel or have the car shipped from wherever it may be).

There are some differences between the Beck and Vintage "philosophy," so try to check out both before you make up your mind.

Chris

'88 Carrera Coupe
'99 Vintage 550 Spyder

Rob-O · 11-02-2001, 09:08 PM

From what I know about the 550's, Beck only sells the turnkey nowadays. Back in the late 80's, early 90's you could get the kit and build one yourself. Not so anymore.

With Vintage you can only use a 4 banger in there. They're just not set up to give you enough room for the 6 cylinder 911 or 914-6 motor.

There is a company out there that does make a modified frame that accomodates the 911 motor and 901 transmission, and that's Thunder Ranch. They're out in CA also, so do a quick search and you'll be on your way to getting some information on them.

Thunder Ranch supposedly uses the Beck configuration, which uses the 3 inch tube frame and the body glassed around it. I've seen a few pictures of the six cylinder installed in these things, and while I can't claim that they're quick, they sure do look like they are.

Thunder Ranch calls it a wide body or something along those lines. I don't know if that means just the frame is widened a little, but if you look closely at some of the pics out there on the web with the six cylinder installed, the rear of the six cylinder cars appears to bulge just a little. It could be the angle the pics were taken at though.

Either way you look at it, a super up Type I e motor or an old 911 motor, anything that generates about 130 h.p. is that thing is going to be scary quick. Of course it is a small car, with no a/c and basically no top. That may work in CA, but here in Texas, I doubt I'd make through July without getting cooked on the freeway or run over by some F150 that didn't see me.

thamlin000 · thamlin000's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Rob-O:
That may work in CA, but here in Texas, I doubt I'd make through July without getting cooked on the freeway or run over by some F150 that didn't see me.

I'm feelin' it, partner.

------------------
83 944, Sapphire Metallic
College Station, TX