550-0094

Give details and pictures of your ACVW projects here.
Piet
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550-0094

Post by Piet »

OK, so seeing that 1964type1 stopped updating his thread and John Alves is about to give up on his, I felt the urge to start a Porsche 550 thread. Please don't expect fireworks here, I've been working on mine for 15 years now :(

A quick explanation of the caption for this tread: according to someone that knows everything there is to know about 550's (Andrew Hosking http://type550.com/) there were only 93 spyders ever build, the last one chassis no 550-0093..

I had a couple of beetles in my life, but always thought that the engine was in the wrong place. And then I found out that someone else had the same idea :D
Image

Over the years I've collected many images and I'm trying to create a car that is as close to the original as possible (ja, go on, tell me I'm mad. This is actually the one thing that is keeping me sane!)

I will explain my progress so far in another post.


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Tony Z
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Re: 550-0094

Post by Tony Z »

how can you post that and then not even give us a picture to drool over???
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fourier
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Re: 550-0094

Post by fourier »

Awesome little cars! Can't wait to see your build Piet...

Some inspiration...

https://www.facebook.com/SM550003/
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Re: 550-0094

Post by JonnoDub »

Pics
Pics and more pics.....
I will be following this thread closely, Im particularly interested in how the gearbox conversion is done. Don't hold back now!
Keep on rolling baby , you know what time it is !
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Re: 550-0094

Post by Piet »

While Barry et al is working on an aluminium body (http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 15#p281836), I would concentrate on the frame. This is the original (from Karl Ludvigsen’s book ‘Porsche Spyder’):
Image

This is the frame from Kit Car Centre, after some modifications (removing the coil-overs and adding the support looping over the back of the tranny):
Image

My first plan was to use a beetle torque tube ‘as is’:
Image

Image

However, it didn’t look right so I cut it apart and created something that resembles the original.
Image

There was one problem though: there was not enough space to fit the engine. I want to use a T4 engine, but it needs even more space than a T1. My (dubious) reason for using a T4 is that it was used in some Porsches (912 and 914). Even if I can find one, I will not be able to afford the original Fuhrmann engine:
Image

The space problem is created by the upright frame of square tubing. It adds rigidity to the frame (which the original frame famously lacked) and it supports the fiberglass body. But it is exactly where the torque tube should be. I considered removing the square tubing completely, but in the end decided that I would move the tube ahead of it (the trailing links are getting very long now, which creates its own problems)

Image

Image

And this is as many pictures as I can find. I will take some more and post it (probably by December)
Last edited by Piet on Thu Jan 07, 2016 12:49 pm, edited 4 times in total.
JonnoDub
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Re: 550-0094

Post by JonnoDub »

Pics not showing
Keep on rolling baby , you know what time it is !
Piet
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Re: RE: Re: 550-0094

Post by Piet »

JonnoDub wrote:Pics not showing
Pictures fixed :D
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Re: 550-0094

Post by JonnoDub »

Working like a bomb!
Keep on rolling baby , you know what time it is !
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Re: 550-0094

Post by Wentzel »

I have always liked the 550's and will watch your progress. Can't wait to see more.
Oxyboxer Project

Never Ending Beetle Project viewtopic.php?f=23&t=35724
Lolette Spyder Project http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=32175
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fourier
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Re: 550-0094

Post by fourier »

Wow Piet, did you commission an alloy bodied 550? How cool is that? I was curious to see who would jump at the opportunity, when Barry planted the seed last year. I'd be very interested to see how that is progressing!

Did your KCC chassis come with VIN number and documentation to register it for road use? I know of cars with owner built chassis, that ended up as track cars, due to inability to register on the road. That's the one concern I have with building a 550. I would certainly not want to build something that cool for track use only... Anyone know how Universal kits overcome this possible problem? That's where the more common Beetle based 356 kit is a lot simpler...

Interesting project!
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Piet
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Re: 550-0094

Post by Piet »

Fourier, I'm sorry to disappoint you but the reference to the alloy body was only a joke :(
The chassis didn't come with a number, I will cross that bridge when I get there.
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Re: 550-0094

Post by fourier »

Ha ha, got me there Piet! :oops: Seriously thought you took the plunge on alloy body no.1!

Does anyone know if Barry's alloy bodied 550 got off the ground? If he decided to build them, it would certainly go on my wish list for the next project.
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Tony Z
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Re: 550-0094

Post by Tony Z »

next project??? You'll be 95 by the time that one is done
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fourier
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Re: 550-0094

Post by fourier »

95??? That's quite possible Tony! I tend to take my time, just a little too much. Are these projects ever done? Must start dreaming about the next one so long, and the 550 is right up there on my list!

The current project has taken ONLY 22 years. Often thought... what will I do with the rest of my life, when it's done? :D An alloy bodied 550 might just tick that box.
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Re: 550-0094

Post by acpaterson »

Speaking of which, WHERE ARE YOU with the white beauty? ;-)
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