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550 spyder

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 7:23 pm
by John Alves
My ultimate replica to build would be the Porsche 550 Spyder
Has anyone on the forum built a 550 ?
Is there anyone in SA that sells a kit?
Can it be built on a beetle pan?

thanks

Re: 550 spyder

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 7:36 pm
by Class 11 streeter
In my mind the 550 is the BEST looking aircooled Porsche ever, I simply cannot understand the fascination with the 356 when sitting next to the 550.
Image

I can't help with SA replicas, but here in the US the best known replica is made by Beck and they show up for sale from time to time. Prices tend to reflect the Porsche crowds income level unfortunately.
Image

That said, you only live once...........

Re: 550 spyder

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 3:19 am
by Watercool
I have to agree on the 550 spyder, but the one that has my attention is the 904 carrera gts.
porsche-904-carrera-gts-1963-1964.jpg
I had the chance to drive a Beck reproduction at one of the Porsche club meetings, it was a tight fit for my big ass, but man I would love to own one.

Re: 550 spyder

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 8:41 am
by buggyfan

Re: 550 spyder

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 8:44 am
by buggyfan
also check bailey cars for other kits

http://www.baileycars.co.za/

Re: 550 spyder

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 8:54 am
by Sambabus
Im not a big fan of pre 67 porsches. The only one I sort of like is the porsche 356 hardtop. I saw an original 318 rally car in sandton about 2 years ago,blue and silver,the boot and deck lids were held closed with leather straps,and it had a small luggage rack over the deck lide for the spare wheel....I know it was 100% original,...because some retard crashed into the back of it and the metal was wrecked.

The only old porsche I would own would be a 318,made to look exactly like that rally porsche,or a late 60s early 70s targa.

Re: 550 spyder

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 9:42 am
by Sambabus
Looks like I killed this thread,....sorry guys :oops:

Re: 550 spyder

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 9:50 am
by MINCE
Don't worry about it, you get used it. Trust me

Re: 550 spyder

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 1:51 pm
by Drusky
I know of an old man in SA (my boet's friend) who built a replica. He made the ally panels using an English Wheel. He's a retired airline pirate. I wish I knew where to get piczors and info.

Re: 550 spyder

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 7:11 pm
by John Alves
after a bit of research I now realise why they are not as popular as other replicas
It cant be built on a beetle pan, motor and box must be turned 180ยบ like the vees
and as class 11 streeter said "Prices tend to reflect the Porsche crowds income level"
would love to have technical drawings of chassis though. I'm sure I could build that, the body I would have to steal.

Re: 550 spyder

Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 7:52 am
by Wentzel
I love the 550 too, wanted to build one but the price put a stop to that idea. Maybe we could find an unfinished project or completed kit in need of rebuild somewhere? The low light body should make for interesting and fun driving.

Re: 550 spyder

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 11:12 am
by buggyfan

Re: 550 spyder

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 2:04 pm
by John Alves
No, this one

Re: 550 spyder

Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 9:44 pm
by Piet
I'm currently building a 550 spyder. I bought the chassis and body from Kit Kar Centre in Isando about 10 years ago, but had other things to do then (like finding a decent job). I only started working on it again recently. The first 550's had a tube frame with a Beetle front axle and a Beetle gearbox turned 180 degrees, with a 1500 Beetle engine sitting in front of the axle, and drum breaks. The engine was later replaced with a four cam unit, and a 5th gear added to the gearbox. The frame was also changed to something resembling a space-frame.
The kit I bought came with coils-over shock suspension and cable gear linkage. However, I plan to keep it as close as possible to the original, if not in detail then at least in spirit.
Is there anyone who completed a 550?
I will post some pictures of the original, as well as mine (which is less impressive)

Re: 550 spyder

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 1:21 pm
by flatfourfan
Have a look on the project threads, there was a build with a white one a while ago.....looked pretty complete to me.

You need to make a thread Piet.......