550 Spyder

[John Alves]

Hi All

I am planning on buying a 550 replica chassis and body from Universal Products. (New Project)
Anyone have dealings with these guys before, I particularly want to know what the quality is like of their replicas.
The 550 is new in their range, I'm in Cape Town so cant just go and pop in to see them. I have attached some pics they have sent me

thanks

[riaanj]

I Like them, I like their service, Garth is a friendly & helpful guy (very busy though), the bits & bobs I had made there was superb quality, I mean they do build proper race cars there too you know..

[John Alves]

That's good news, they do seem busy, Garth does take a while to answer his emails

[acpaterson]

Hey John,
finally, another Porsche in Cape Town.. Pity not another Speedster, but never mind, a Spyder's a stunning racer. You sure about a roofless car down here?? It's a Wet city mate.. Garth is slower than usual, takes 2 to 3 weeks to respond sometimes.. But there's a lot of racing pedigree there. Met him 2 weeks agto when he brought down my speedster's "brow", as his kid was racing Karts in Nationals.

Good luck, be very sure about your decision, and keep us all updated, will be good to have a fellow replica owner down here.

cheers

Alan

[John Alves]

This is a dream I've had for the past 20 years and will be a long term project.
it's more about building it and enjoying it on Sundays (summer) and maybe an occasional spin at the track.
I will start a thread as soon as I receive the kit.

[Pine]

Good luck with the build! Are you going to do the mid-engine layout? Saw this one at Porsche Centre Jhb a few years ago, for inspiration

[Wentzel]

I always liked the 550, good luck and pls keep us up to date!

[flatfourfan]

In my books a 550 is so many levels up than a speedster replica........especially if it's mid mount and tube frame chassis.

Alan, in the defence of the 550. I would not go out if it was saucing with rain in my speedy with the roof up. It's known as an occasional roof to be used when things are really rough. The spyder also came with one.



And honestly, it would not take a lot to fab a scissor roof for a spyder that would work.

[acpaterson]

Jaa I know, but the 550 like my RSK's never had ANY Roof.. So if you got caught out, it was a wet, and embarrassing ride home.

[John Alves]

Good luck with the build! Are you going to do the mid-engine layout? Saw this one at Porsche Centre Jhb a few years ago, for inspiration

Definitely a mid mount engine with tubular frame chassis thanks for inspiration, that is the exact look I am going for

[flatfourfan]

So what's the price if I may ask?

[John Alves]

not cheap R44 100.00 just to start
includes all the GRP body panels in a grey primer coloured gel-coat finish. The doors, door hinges and catches are supplied fitted.

The full kit contains: the main body unit, the tail section , the doors, the bonnet, a of steel tubular chassis which incorperats tail section hinge bar, rear chrome engine grilles,beetle front shocks and rear coil over shocks and suspension fittings to mount on beetle box nuts, bolts and fitting set, and a set of instructions
"

[Tony Z]

Good luck with the build! Are you going to do the mid-engine layout? Saw this one at Porsche Centre Jhb a few years ago, for inspiration

Thats a really nice 550!

Some info on a real once...
http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2012/3/11/1 ... n-7707762/

[Barry]

Very cool - anyone with the $$$ to commission a metal bodied one? I'm up for it

[IMPI]

A great source of info here: http://type550.com/
As a point of interest How much would a body cost Barry?
Armand