1957 Porsche Model 356

[FTD]

It looks like it doesn't fit. Like someone picked up a top and set it down on a chassis, and didn't get the snaps clicked right. Look at the wheel 'cutouts'. The body is out a half foot or more from the tire sidewall. And no wheel wells! I bet if you went 35 mph or more the body would lift up - maybe pop off.

[JackG]

Originally Posted by FTD

It looks like it doesn't fit. Like someone picked up a top and set it down on a chassis, and didn't get the snaps clicked right. Look at the wheel 'cutouts'. The body is out a half foot or more from the tire sidewall. And no wheel wells! I bet if you went 35 mph or more the body would lift up - maybe pop off.

That's the way real one's are.

[Brucelee]

Nice. We have some CA Speedster kits cars out here that are just beauties.

[FTD]

You are right. Great photo. At least the real one has a wheel well. You know - something for stuff off of the tires to fling on to. Look at the last photo of the kit car and the rear tire. It looks wide open. I guess I am just fixated on that.

Happy Monday!

[RandallNeighbour]

Jay Leno drove one (a fiberglass replica) and said it was fun and a wonderful rendition of the real thing (which he owns), but commented it wasn't safe at higher than freeway speeds.

I'm betting the lack of wheel wells as well as other items like a good suspension have a lot to do with this. Your concerns are well founded.

These cars would be fun to have for putzing around town and the countryside with the wife (who won't let me drive fast with her in the car).

[JackG]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Jay Leno drove one (a fiberglass replica) and said it was fun and a wonderful rendition of the real thing (which he owns), but commented it wasn't safe at higher than freeway speeds.

I'm betting the lack of wheel wells as well as other items like a good suspension have a lot to do with this. Your concerns are well founded.

All of us, including Leno, are spoiled.

There is no reason the replica cars aren't safer than the originals. Better suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes, modern tires, seatbelts, dual well master brake cylinders. All things the originals didn't have.

Don't forget we're talking about cars built in the late 40's to 50's. There was no safety equipment to speak of. There were no nicely molded plastic wheel well inserts. Airflow management was in it's infancy at best.

Done properly, these replicas are just as safe, if not safer, than the originals. Our reference point has just gotten so much higher. Leno has a Carrera GT! Of course he thinks the Speedster is only good for highway speeds. When a 356 or a 550 Spyder was one of the best cars on the road people really hauled in them. They didn't know how "unsafe" they were!

[Grizzly]

Most people who own, or have owned, originals say that the replicas are faster, safer and handle better than the real ones. The car in Nick's photos is a Speedster, not a 356 Cab, so the purchase price for a real one is well into the six digits.

I've wanted a replica for a long time. I'd like Vintage Speedsters to be my builder (they built the car in Nick's photos). They build a pretty nice car and 19,900 is not a bad asking price. Currently, I'm out of room and money, so I'd need to sell something in order to buy one. Maybe someday.

[CJ_Boxster]

I dont know, something about that car makes me NOT want to buy it, i think its because i can easily imagine someone like Dr. Hannibal Lector in a cream color suit with matching hat driving it.