With Porsche Speedsters routinely selling for several hundred
thousand these days, it makes sense to park your original, and
drive a copy! Especially when anyone other than the most
knowledgeable Porsche enthusiasts can't tell the difference
anyway!
Keep in mind though, that this is not your run of the mill Vintage
Speedster! The previous owner was himself a very knowlegable
Porsche enthusiast, who spent much time and effort getting this car
to look the part, and drive even better than the original!
In fact, a few years back, this car received the Peoples Choice
Award at a sanctioned Porsche Club car show! Yes,...Some members
were a bit embarrassed when they found out. But hey, it was all in
fun!
It all started with a turnkey 2003 Vintage Speedster, long
considered the benchmark of the Industry. Built using an authentic
1960 VW pan, it was restored, shortened, then reinforced, by jig
welding a 2x4 inch 11 gauge steel frame. This creates a very rigid
structure, which retains the original VW pan, designed by Dr.
Ferdinand Porsche, and integrates the largest frame possible. In
addition, the steering wheel is offset slightly, just as an
original speedster. Titled as a 1960 VW, it's eligible for
vintage/classic registration in almost every state, so no emission
worries!
It was then outfitted with a massive heavy-duty Porsche 2.0 Type IV
aluminum engine...2100cc Piston/Cylinders, matched to a performance
street cam that idles well, and pulls to 6,500 RPM, then the crank,
rods and pistons were balanced to perfection. An electric fuel pump
feeds a well synchronized and properly jetted Dual Weber carb set
up. Reliably sparked with a Mallory electronic ignition, and cooled
by Jake Raby's DTM engine cooling system, with an oil cooler
integrated into the fan shroud. The custom 4 speed transmission was
further reinforced by Raby's, and matched with proper gearing for
the modified Type IV engine. Unlike most Speedster recreations with
their anemic 1600cc VW motors and stock VW gearing this motor has
the power and torque to embarrass many sports cars!
She handles well with the addition of a new factory steering
gearbox, additional caster shims to space the front wheels out a
bit, and a proper 4 wheel alignment and corner weighting. Rest
assured this car runs, rides, and handles better than every
speedster I have come across. As for looks.....Well, its top on
that list too!
Optioned with high quality silver metallic paint, authentic Nardi
wood wheel, correct size and color factory wheels and tires, moon
hubcaps with Wolfsburg enameled crest, full tonneau cover, matching
boot cover, Sonnenland speedster top with matching side curtains,
carpeted trunk, correct speedster and 1600 super emblems, correct
side deco trim, horn grills, and bumper deco trim.
You can buy a brand new Vintage Speedster today with these options
for about thirty grand...Then pay to have it shipped in from
California ($2,000), Paint it ($5,000) Then build and install a
modified Type IV engine ($7,000), a Jake Raby transaxle ($4,500)
and copy this suspension set up ($2,000.0 Oh, and don't forget the
labor (5,000) for a total of Fifty Five Grand + ... Or just buy
this one! Go ahead...Have some fun!
