1957 Porsche Model 356

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

I am still looking for a clean 912. I love that car.

I have two 912s that I'm seriously considering selling. The cars were really intended to be one car when finished. I have one good complete car with a rusty body and one beautiful socal body. In my current physical condition, I don't know if I'll ever get to it, so if anyone's interested...

[porsche986spyder]

Originally Posted by Grizzly

Some of the times that the 356 had a starring role in Hollywood, not to mention that anyone who was anyone in Hollywood seemed to own one at some point.
[/I]

Grizz, you left out one of the most famous people of all, JAMES DEAN! Yes he owned 2 Porsches in his life. Although none were in the movies that he did. He still owned one in real life. First was the speedster which he later traded in or sold, not sure for the 550 Spyder which was the car that unfortunately killed him. He also owned several different motorcycles including a Triumph and a Harley Davidson. Check out this web site for more info.
http://www.jamesdean.com/about/vehicles.htm

[porsche986spyder]

If you look at this photo of James Dean in his 356 you can see how the wheel wells actually looked. That kit car looks dead-on to me. Only safer built.

[xxxalexxxx]

Even though the replicas aren't 'real" Porsches they probably are faster, safer and handle a little better than the originals. Think about it, the original cars would be about 50 yrs old now...no matter what kinda car it is 40-50 yrs on a car is a lot and would take a lot of money to restore. Besides, I think the old Porsches are for show for the most part, honestly I'd buy that replica in a heartbeat for 20k if i had any space to park it but i'd probably end up paying about $350 for another garage so for me its better not to get it. it would be pretty cool to drive it around once in a while. and honestly i dont think 20k a lot for it considering how much the original ones would end up costing you.

[racer_d]

Having driven my dad's 1955 Speedster with 3.5" wide bias ply tires and 4 wheel drum brakes, it would seem hard to believe a quality replica could be any less safe than his genuine one

With Speedster prices climbing safely into the 6 figures, having a replica/kit car for $20K that approximates the feel/charm/sexiness is a neat thing. BECK makes perhaps the best of the replicars because he DOESN'T use a VW chassis but makes his own so the dimensions are true to the original models.

[FTD]

Originally Posted by porsche986spyder

If you look at this photo of James Dean in his 356 you can see how the wheel wells actually looked. That kit car looks dead-on to me. Only safer built.

Yep, I have looked at more photos and miniatures of the 356 since this posting opened and I am better clued in about the original wheel wells and overall body cover. I can't get over the under body wind factor, but I am at peace with the kit's replication. Well, except the kit rear has NO well. Is there a smiley face for 'fixated'?

[RandallNeighbour]

A few people may have driven the 356 at speed and lived to tell the tale. A few died too, and I'm not sure if they're talking about the experience in the afterlife or not!

Frankly, you'd never catch me doing more than about 60 mph in one today... original restored vehicle or "safer" replica of the car with suspension mods and better brakes.

Pretty to look at; fun to putz around in; a fantastic addition to a large garage; great for parade day; fun to enter in a concours ... but not drive at speed ... at least for me anyway!