For those with Discovery HD Channel

[SC986]

The replica Spyders look really great! Hard to believe those can be had in the 20k range.

I've got to hand it to Leno, pretty good skills he showed at Talladaga. I don't know if it was luck or skill, but he sure got out of a potentially bad crash!

[FrayAdjacent]

I think I saw an article about the Beck 550 replicas in a hot rod magazine my dad signed me up for.

They use a Subaru 2.5l boxer in it... I think you can get the full decked out one for $30-40k.

[jwilson95]

I picked it up about half way through and it was great. Already set the DVR to record it when it repeats.

I owned a Beck Spyder built in 1999 with the 2160cc motor. I never should have sold it but a guy offered me $5k more than I paid for it so I let it go.

That car was a blast to drive and got so many thumbs up/looks. Sounded great too. Straight 4 into 1 exhaust.

Usable top speed is only about 75 as the 4.12 to 1 ring and pinion set in the tranny is turning 3500-4000 rpm's in that range. 0-60 was a blur with 160 HP and only 1200 pounds.

I have to get another one some day.

Jeff

[Ronzi]

An acquaintance built a Speedster replica, I think it was a Classic Motor Carriages kit car. Looked really good when he got done with it, but he had a hell of a time getting insurance for it. None of the usual suspects (Farmer's, State Farm, etc.) would touch it. It was a few years ago, before all the specialty insurance companies were around. Probably not as big a problem today.