Could've fooled me

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Ken Tuvman
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Could've fooled me

#1 Post by Ken Tuvman »

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.
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Mike Wilson
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Re: Could've fooled me

#2 Post by Mike Wilson »

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.

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Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

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Sebastian Gaeta
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Re: Could've fooled me

#3 Post by Sebastian Gaeta »

Also the 8 slot VW wheels.
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Registry #8339

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Mike Wilson
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Re: Could've fooled me

#4 Post by Mike Wilson »

And usually a hotted up VW engine.

Mike
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Peter Silten
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Re: Could've fooled me

#5 Post by Peter Silten »

And air conditioning.

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Re: Could've fooled me

#6 Post by Eric Huffman »

They are what they are But still a Blast to drive if properly put together IMHO.

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Sebastian Gaeta
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Re: Could've fooled me

#7 Post by Sebastian Gaeta »

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.
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.
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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
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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

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Ken Tuvman
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Re: Could've fooled me

#8 Post by Ken Tuvman »

Also a lot less costly to replace in event of accident
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Adam Wright
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Re: Could've fooled me

#9 Post by Adam Wright »

Sebastian Gaeta wrote: Sat May 21, 2022 10:23 am
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.
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.
.

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.
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.
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Dan Macdonald
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Re: Could've fooled me

#10 Post by Dan Macdonald »

And it is extremely raer to see a replica with overriders.
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Martin Benade
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Re: Could've fooled me

#11 Post by Martin Benade »

I’m going to work on Mike to put a 616 in his, that will bump the experience above its current 90% level.
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Sebastian Gaeta
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Re: Could've fooled me

#12 Post by Sebastian Gaeta »

Martin 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.
I’ll be seeing him tomorrow and will give him warning :-)

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

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Martin Benade
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Re: Could've fooled me

#13 Post by Martin Benade »

Yes I will be there. You will be wandering around?
Cleveland Ohio
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
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04 Sienna

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Sebastian Gaeta
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Re: Could've fooled me

#14 Post by Sebastian Gaeta »

Martin Benade wrote: Thu Jun 02, 2022 10:05 pm Yes I will be there. You will be wandering around?
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

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David Campbell
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Re: Could've fooled me

#15 Post by David Campbell »

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

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