Porsche 356 Speedster kit

[Fman]

Considering starting a new project, looking into building a Porsche 356 Speedster kit car. These cars are basically a VW beetle with a Speedster body on them. Will be building it for my wife to drive, definitely no subaru engine will be going with a mild VW engine. There are a few kit companies that sell these but really trying to find someone that has ventured down this path. Definitely not near as much info available out there as a FFR build. If you have or know of anyone who has built one please let me know, would like to get in contact with them and find out how everything went.

Thanks...

[RoadRacer]

Following. I have the same need for my wife. She loves them - or at least the idea of them. I don't think she knows how basic these are compared with a production car nowadays - esp with a VW motor (I agree with that choice btw).

So far my most viewed supplier is JPS, I keep going back to them. But I don't know anyone who has built/owned one.

[Badfish]

I really like these. I’m not in the market to buy, but been eyeing some on BaT. A lot of good feedback in the BaT comment sections. I think there are a few companies that bubble to the top, Vintage, JPS and Beck, and much like a cobra, there’s a bunch of others.

One of the companies gives you the option for either a new frame, or VW frame. Although the new frame may be structurally better, in states where the older VIN helps (i.e. TAXES!) the vintage VW VIN may be the way to go. Many options for engines / mods as well.

Widebody / Outlaw with Sube engine please!

[J R Jones]

The replica 356 numbers are incredible. By that I mean the number for sale (ebay and others) and the asking prices. It appears (without experience) that the ROI is good.
Putting a fine point on it, the outlaw / flare fender cars bring less money and coupes bring more. In the end one gets a remarkably representative replica with improved performance over the original.
The 550 Spyder is more rare, more expensive, more value, has higher performance but appears to be similar in difficulty. They seem to have a cult-like following. Sound familiar?
jim

[Jeff Kleiner]

No first hand build experience building one but a few years ago I did a lot or research and looked pretty deeply into doing one for my brother in law, an incurable Porschophile. We would have done air cooled and kept coming back to Beck because of their established history, options. completeness of the kits (depending on level chosen) and partially because they are somewhat local. Ultimately we didn't follow through with the project primarily because he developed some health issues that led to mobility problems which would have made it difficult if not impossible to get in and out of the car. I'd still like to build one...if you do please keep us informed!

Jeff

[GoDadGo]

I hope you do a build thread on your next project since I know nothing about them other than they are Cooler Than Cool!

[Jetfuel]

I too wanted to build one, Art Q and I were going to drive up to Beck this past fall to see the kit in person but the waiting list is almost 2 years..

Jet

[RoadRacer]

It may be better to buy a "finished" one and rebuild.. never done that but I always wonder since they never (ok, rarely) make what you spend on them..

[AC Bill]

I saw one of these on BAT the other day. Powered by the Lotus 1.8 liter engine, which I believe is actually made by Toyota. What a beauty. Maybe you could shift her focus from the Porsche bathtub.:p

https://westfield-sportscars.co.uk/showroom-brochures/westfield-xi-kits/

[Fman]

I made a little more progress on my investigation, spoke with three different guys who are in the process of building and one just finished. Nothing like the FFR experience, you basically get a subframe, pan and body and source all the other parts through vendors yourself. Very little "good" documentation/manuals available and little to none for forum support. Going the VW route definitely simplifies because VW engines and drivetrain are about as basic as it gets and they have plenty of after market options that are relatively cheap in comparison to a Cobra build.

I was hoping to find someone in my area who has built or is building one but so far no luck. Hopefully I will eventually run into someone in my area to get my eyes on one and see what I would be signing up for. Buying one would probably be the easiest route and make the most financial sense but I would like the build experience and challenge.

[slarson]

I too wanted to build a 356, but went with a Type 65 Coupe instead. Like you I couldn't find many options.
I did stumble across Kitman Motors recently. They do have a build manual online, but again only provide chassis and body.

http://kitmanmotors.com/

[JohnK]

I remember seeing a segment on Jay Leno's Garage a while back about a Subaru-powered Speedster replica made by JPS Motorsports. Interesting video. Worth a watch. This particular one looked like a very nice car.


https://youtu.be/3sqC-2Ue5Ts

[cob427sc]

I built one back in the early 90's by a company called Fiberfab. The fiberglass was unbelievably well done (make FFR look like rookies, sorry) as the entire tub was one piece with no seams. Never could figure how they got it out of the mold. It was a wide body (wide fenders, etc) and As far as I know it is still being driven in its original shiny black gel coat finish. Came with 3 pages of instructions and a couple of diagrams, mostly explaining the door lock system. Required shortening the VW chassis I think around 10 inches. I installed a Porsche 912 engine and drove it for several years then it was sold as a present to a doctor in Phoenix. Forward 12 years and I run into the car and owner at a restraunt in Phoenix. He has added 80,000 miles and still in gel coat finish. Easy car to build compared to a cobra and fun to drive. I don't believe Fiberfab is around anymore but they were big in the kit car industry back in the 70's - 90's.

[bil1024]

Hemmings has a CMC kit for sale for 15k, just a thought

[J R Jones]

Fman, A 356 replica option showed up on ebay recently:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/234375056304?mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5337851298&customid=506669&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

jim

[Badfish]

Nice, I saw that one on eBay the other day.

Or, you could have had an original for half that kit price…:)

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-porsche-356c-15/

[JohnnyB]

Nice, I saw that one on eBay the other day.

Or, you could have had an original for half that kit price…:)

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-porsche-356c-15/
Nice find, that one has some serious patina...:rolleyes:

[egchewy79]

Nice, I saw that one on eBay the other day.

Or, you could have had an original for half that kit price…:)

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-porsche-356c-15/

that pile of rust sold for over $10k ?!

[Badfish]

I was following the comments section for a while, a lot of discussion on it. Lawn art, money pit, I don’t know, but someone now has a new project! If it was like $1800 and local, maybe I would have consider it!


that pile of rust sold for over $10k ?!

[Derald Rice]

356 speedsters used to be the second most replicated car..... right behind the Cobra.

And with the short supply of rust free pans, a lot of the MFG's, Beck in particular .... are tube frame only.

Last time I looked, Beck had a 3 year waiting list.