Could've fooled me
- Ken Tuvman
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 867
- Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2019 10:22 pm
- Location: Lake Minnetonka MN
Could've fooled me
Saw this parked in lot yesterday at local auto repair shop where I live - got super excited and Martin Benade pointed out it's a replica! It's got all the 356 emblems on it - 1600 Super and Speedster - boy - if I didn't know better . . .
Still, the owner of the shop left it outside last night in the rain and the Speedster replica has no windows. Not what I would’ve done but not my business.
Apparently there was an electrical fire in the engine compartment - you can't see in the pictures but there are burn marks around engine compartment - wondering what could've happened to cause a fire - my thought would be a fuel generated fire.
Still, the owner of the shop left it outside last night in the rain and the Speedster replica has no windows. Not what I would’ve done but not my business.
Apparently there was an electrical fire in the engine compartment - you can't see in the pictures but there are burn marks around engine compartment - wondering what could've happened to cause a fire - my thought would be a fuel generated fire.
Author / Photojournalist
- Mike Wilson
- Classifieds Monitor
- Posts: 11622
- Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 pm
- Location: SW Los Angeles
Re: Could've fooled me
I have seen some well-done replicas but a few tell-tale inspection points: windshield wipers, hand brake on the tunnel and fat fiberglass fender lips.
Mike
Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe
- Sebastian Gaeta
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 3055
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:50 pm
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Re: Could've fooled me
Also the 8 slot VW wheels.
Sebastian Gaeta
www.arbormotion.com
Registry #8339
'65 C coupe
'64 C cab
-------
2014 Boxster 981
2005 997 C2 Cab
1967 Karmann Ghia Convertible
1966 VW Single Cab
1966 Ducati Cafe Racer
1964 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1963 Beetle
www.arbormotion.com
Registry #8339
'65 C coupe
'64 C cab
-------
2014 Boxster 981
2005 997 C2 Cab
1967 Karmann Ghia Convertible
1966 VW Single Cab
1966 Ducati Cafe Racer
1964 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1963 Beetle
- Mike Wilson
- Classifieds Monitor
- Posts: 11622
- Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 pm
- Location: SW Los Angeles
- Peter Silten
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 1643
- Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:27 pm
Re: Could've fooled me
And air conditioning.
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- 356 Fan
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2022 12:41 pm
- Location: San Diego
Re: Could've fooled me
They are what they are But still a Blast to drive if properly put together IMHO.
- Sebastian Gaeta
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 3055
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:50 pm
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Re: Could've fooled me
Mike Immarino put together a really nice one last year. He was restoring his father's Speedster for the current owner and got pretty nostalgic which is understandable, he grew up with that car (and 2 other Speedsters). He saw one for sale and bought it, the transformation has been amazing. It has all original Porsche trim, gauges, knobs, switches, wheels etc but the big one is that he fitted an A steering wheel which made all of the difference, at least for me. The biggest tell is when you see the cheap, fat rimmed 390mm Nardi wheel that is ubiquitous in these cars. But in MIke's car when you see that beautiful stock A wheel it just make all the difference visually. I was lucky enough to take it for a spin and I gotta tell you, it was 90% of the experience at 10% of the cost.Eric Huffman wrote: ↑Fri May 20, 2022 11:28 pm They are what they are But still a Blast to drive if properly put together IMHO.
.
.
There will still be people that hate them; I never did but I also never had the desire to own one since a real Speedster was the goal. I let one slip away in 1993 and these days I am just not going to spend $300k - $500k on a car that I will want to drive that pants off of, so I am eyeing a well executed replica like Mike's. With two real 356s in my stable, I can say there is room for one without apologies to anyone.
Sebastian Gaeta
www.arbormotion.com
Registry #8339
'65 C coupe
'64 C cab
-------
2014 Boxster 981
2005 997 C2 Cab
1967 Karmann Ghia Convertible
1966 VW Single Cab
1966 Ducati Cafe Racer
1964 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1963 Beetle
www.arbormotion.com
Registry #8339
'65 C coupe
'64 C cab
-------
2014 Boxster 981
2005 997 C2 Cab
1967 Karmann Ghia Convertible
1966 VW Single Cab
1966 Ducati Cafe Racer
1964 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1963 Beetle
- Ken Tuvman
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 867
- Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2019 10:22 pm
- Location: Lake Minnetonka MN
Re: Could've fooled me
Also a lot less costly to replace in event of accident
Author / Photojournalist
- Adam Wright
- Classifieds Monitor
- Posts: 10321
- Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:00 am
- Tag: KTF
Re: Could've fooled me
I agree with this sentiment but like to have a little Porsche DNA in the mix. I can't afford a 550 Spyder or a 904, but I can build them. Both are based on real Porsches so when people ask me "what's that?" I can say with a straight face, "That's a Porsche." You can't do that with a replica Speedster, no matter how much cool stuff you hang on it.Sebastian Gaeta wrote: ↑Sat May 21, 2022 10:23 amMike Immarino put together a really nice one last year. He was restoring his father's Speedster for the current owner and got pretty nostalgic which is understandable, he grew up with that car (and 2 other Speedsters). He saw one for sale and bought it, the transformation has been amazing. It has all original Porsche trim, gauges, knobs, switches, wheels etc but the big one is that he fitted an A steering wheel which made all of the difference, at least for me. The biggest tell is when you see the cheap, fat rimmed 390mm Nardi wheel that is ubiquitous in these cars. But in MIke's car when you see that beautiful stock A wheel it just make all the difference visually. I was lucky enough to take it for a spin and I gotta tell you, it was 90% of the experience at 10% of the cost.Eric Huffman wrote: ↑Fri May 20, 2022 11:28 pm They are what they are But still a Blast to drive if properly put together IMHO.
.
IMG-3974.jpeg
.
There will still be people that hate them; I never did but I also never had the desire to own one since a real Speedster was the goal. I let one slip away in 1993 and these days I am just not going to spend $300k - $500k on a car that I will want to drive that pants off of, so I am eyeing a well executed replica like Mike's. With two real 356s in my stable, I can say there is room for one without apologies to anyone.
www.unobtanium-inc.com
Check out my Barn Find column in the Registry magazine, always looking for good stories.
Check out my Barn Find column in the Registry magazine, always looking for good stories.
- Dan Macdonald
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:37 pm
- Location: Marin County, Calfornia
- Contact:
Re: Could've fooled me
And it is extremely raer to see a replica with overriders.
Dan Macdonald
'59 A Coupe (105327)
'57 Speedster (82954)
Registry #1921 (1982)
DMAIA@aol.com
My YouTube Channel: Tinmeister 356
'59 A Coupe (105327)
'57 Speedster (82954)
Registry #1921 (1982)
DMAIA@aol.com
My YouTube Channel: Tinmeister 356
- Martin Benade
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 12348
- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:52 am
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Re: Could've fooled me
I’m going to work on Mike to put a 616 in his, that will bump the experience above its current 90% level.
Cleveland Ohio
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna
- Sebastian Gaeta
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 3055
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:50 pm
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Re: Could've fooled me
I’ll be seeing him tomorrow and will give him warningMartin Benade wrote: ↑Thu Jun 02, 2022 9:01 pm I’m going to work on Mike to put a 616 in his, that will bump the experience above its current 90% level.
Will you be at the swap meet on Saturday?
Sebastian Gaeta
www.arbormotion.com
Registry #8339
'65 C coupe
'64 C cab
-------
2014 Boxster 981
2005 997 C2 Cab
1967 Karmann Ghia Convertible
1966 VW Single Cab
1966 Ducati Cafe Racer
1964 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1963 Beetle
www.arbormotion.com
Registry #8339
'65 C coupe
'64 C cab
-------
2014 Boxster 981
2005 997 C2 Cab
1967 Karmann Ghia Convertible
1966 VW Single Cab
1966 Ducati Cafe Racer
1964 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1963 Beetle
- Martin Benade
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 12348
- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:52 am
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Re: Could've fooled me
Yes I will be there. You will be wandering around?
Cleveland Ohio
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna
- Sebastian Gaeta
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 3055
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:50 pm
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Re: Could've fooled me
I’ll be at the tables with Vic & Barb Skirmants. Be sure to stop by, I would love to meet you in person.
Sebastian Gaeta
www.arbormotion.com
Registry #8339
'65 C coupe
'64 C cab
-------
2014 Boxster 981
2005 997 C2 Cab
1967 Karmann Ghia Convertible
1966 VW Single Cab
1966 Ducati Cafe Racer
1964 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1963 Beetle
www.arbormotion.com
Registry #8339
'65 C coupe
'64 C cab
-------
2014 Boxster 981
2005 997 C2 Cab
1967 Karmann Ghia Convertible
1966 VW Single Cab
1966 Ducati Cafe Racer
1964 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1963 Beetle
- David Campbell
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 5:54 pm
- Location: West Georgia
Re: Could've fooled me
There’s a Beck replica near me with a blown motor but the old owner won’t part with it. I have a 356C motor in pieces that could make that car an interesting driver.
1961 B Coupe
1966 VW Type I
1987 944 NA
2000 Boxster S
1966 VW Type I
1987 944 NA
2000 Boxster S