986 Boxster-to-550 Spyder Conversion - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Gougoushu · 10-16-2012, 10:43 AM

Wonderful feature in Excellence on a conversion of a late model 986 to a 550 Spyder. Looks like no expense was spared.

Excellence :: 986-550 : 2004 Boxster "Spyder"

Mark_T · 10-16-2012, 11:33 AM

Wow. Can you imagine having something like that to drive around?

Ghostrider 310 · 10-16-2012, 12:32 PM

It's certainly cool but I have to think the cost was astronomical in comparison of what that might have purchased in the form of a different car.

Perfectlap · 10-16-2012, 03:37 PM

dropping all the weight made it faster to boot. Not sure I like how high those headlight sit, looks a little Mercedes Benz'ish. I feel like the original 550's had a lower profile up front. The interior is perfect. I'd like to see other 917 conversion on a Boxster/Cayman chasis.

jesseborgelt · 10-16-2012, 03:43 PM

I have been looking at this car for a few days now, not with any intention of purchasing rather simply admiring its pure beauty.

Porsche : Other Roadster | eBay

j.fro · 10-16-2012, 05:15 PM

That's a great looking car, but the article left me with a couple of questions.
1. Is there a top?
2. How do you access the engine?
And, oh yeah, I hate the wheels. Would have preferred it with 18" twist or Carrera LWs.

Skrapmot · 10-16-2012, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.fro

That's a great looking car, but the article left me with a couple of questions.
1. Is there a top?
2. How do you access the engine?
And, oh yeah, I hate the wheels. Would have preferred it with 18" twist or Carrera LWs.

Hate the wheels? You can't use modern style wheels on a 550 ! I used to get the same comments about the Fuchs on old 76 911.

thstone · 10-16-2012, 08:22 PM

I have to say that I just don't get "replicars". For me, beauty is more than skin deep. Look at any supermodel, its not just the perfect skin, its the bone structure and muscle underneath that makes all of the difference.

Mark_T · 10-17-2012, 05:58 AM

Agreed, but for most of us, our wallets are only skin deep too. I would be quite happy driving a 550 replica like that because there is no way I could ever afford a real one, and that is a really nice replica. There's a really nicely done 308/Fiero replica I've seen at a couple of car shows around here. Given the cost of owning and operating an old Ferrari, I think I'd actually rather have the replica.

jb92563 · 10-17-2012, 06:34 AM

Cool

Pictures:
$ $$$$$

$39K

ekam · 10-17-2012, 08:34 AM

There will be haters. But he did it just so he can say he's the only one that has one!

Nobody dared to ask how much this costs. He probably doesn't want to know either...

Must be nice to have an open cheque book...

BruceH · 10-17-2012, 09:22 AM

Having a one off like that, with a light weight body and the Boxster guts has to be loads of fun!

Meir · 10-17-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekam

There will be haters. But he did it just so he can say he's the only one that has one!

Nobody dared to ask how much this costs. He probably doesn't want to know either...

Must be nice to have an open cheque book...

usually people that do something like that, don't care about the cost.

Skrapmot · 10-17-2012, 10:31 AM

Agreed, most people I've met that have a 550 don't drive except for special occasions. These replicars are great because you can drive them almost daily if you like, pretending your James Dean, without crazy depreciation or expensive repairs.
Also, Porsches are very common here in the Bay Area, I'll see half a dozen or more just on my ride to work, so it's nice to have something that turns heads.
I thought about building a FF Cobra for that very reason.

Homeboy981 · 10-17-2012, 10:33 AM

I drive mine everyday…but then I only painted my tail lights to make it look like a 550.

Of course my solution costs a lot less and I can drive the dog out of it too!

particlewave · 10-17-2012, 10:57 AM

I know I'll catch heck for this, but I don't like it. The front end is all wrong for a 550 replica and it looks like it belongs in a Mickey Mouse cartoon. As long as the owner likes it, I guess.

Ghostrider 310 · 10-17-2012, 11:28 AM

Mark, rearing black stallion on a Fiero? I just threw up a little in my throat...I have to agree that looking at the restored 550 cars the dimensions and lights are not true to form. You could get a used 911 GT2 a year old likely cheaper than that hand built, to me it would be a simple decision.

southernstar · 10-17-2012, 11:52 AM

I think the craftsmanship is pretty incredible and I'm sure that the peformance is as well - afterall, its much lighter than the Boxster, has a lower Cg and one suspects less areodynamic drag. As I see it, the man obviously had the money, loved the basic look of the 550 Spyder but wanted state of the art performance. What other choice did he have?

The cost of custom metal coach work is so incredibly high these days that I am always happy to see a creation like this. As to the cost? As the old saying goes, if you have to ask you can't afford it. I know I can't, but cheers to someone who did and who has created a legitmate, one-of-a kind Porsche (and yes, it is a Porsche folks - just as all the custom, metal-bodied Rolls. Bentleys, Bugattis, Duesenbergs etc. retained the name of the manufacturer of their chassis and power train during the heyday of custom coachwork). And for those who are critical, I'm sure he could care less - it was made to please only one man and I gather it does. I'm also betting that if it goes up for sale at some point in the future, there will be no shortage of interest.

Brad