1955 Porsche 550 Spyder Replica, Other

1955 Porsche 550 Replica Description

This is my personal car, which I have had for a little over 3 years. This car is a premium 550 replica, and has many more features and upgrades than a typical 550, even by today's standards. This car, to build today, would easily approach 70,000. These cars are just like you would imagine: fun to drive and own, fun to work on, big BIG attention getters, even if there are Ferrari's and Lambos right next to it. Having a 550 is really as great as it gets if you are into vintage cars. I am selling because I just want to move on to a new project, hopefully a vintage Land Cruiser.
This car was originally built in 2004 by Greg Leatch at Vintage Spyders. The car was originally owned by a guy in Arizona and then Louisiana, and then to me, in Austin Texas.
This car has several features that make it truly exceptional:-A serious motor: Type 4 (not beetle type 1) big-bore 2316cc motor with super cooling from a porsche 911 shroud system.-Rear independent suspension...WAY better than the lowly swingarm suspension that appears on most replicas-5 speed transmission
I want to come right out front and talk about what is not great on this car:-the car weeps oil and I haven't found from where. It's a very slow leak....in a few months, it was not enough oil to fill a paper towel. Air-cooled VWs just sort of do this my mechanic said, and he recommended doing nothing about this minor leak-It doesn't shift well, gets better as the car warms up. I can get it into all gears both upshifting and downshifting, and it's certainly driveable, but the shifter feels a bit "sticky" coming both out of and into gears.-It is a no-choke car, so cold starts require a few tries where the motor rumbles to life and then stops--this is REALLY common with air cooled cars with big carbs. Again, my mechanic simply said it's not worth putting a choke on
About the Car
-356B porsche hubs and brakes, brake drums in the rear-5-speed Side-shift 914 transmission with dog-leg first gear-914 shifter-Front brakes are 1980 VW rabbit calipers and pads-Company that made the car is still in business and on facebook-As I researched the car and parts, I created a Google Doc with a lot of information, which I can share-Odyssey lightweight battery with aluminum mount-Dash lights are all converted to LEDs, dimmer still works (except alternator warning light--that needs to draw power to trigger charging system)-Premium german wool carpet, not perfect condition but still very nice-Canvas tonneau cover-2316cc Type 4 motor-Has external oilcooler with fan, mounted behind passenger seat-Headlights are LED upgrade from VintageCarLED-Has 1950s style "running light" mini-bulb in headlight housing--a nice vintage touch-Actual 356 Porsche clock mounted on dash--still works after like 60 years!-Fire extenguisher with quick-release mounted near driver-4-point Crow harnesses-leather seats on fiberglass replica seat shells.-Has the 2" firewall relief allowing the seats to be pushed back a little bit, this car is better for bigger drivers-I am 6'2, 200 pounds and I fit just fine-Texas "ASSM" (assembled) title in hand. Registered in Texas as "Custom Vehicle"--only took 1 trip to DMV! Check your state for registration requirements-Insurance is like $350 a year with Hagarty-Great car for car shows!
Video Walkaround part 1:search for this on youtube>>>> RtcdKjfwubIVideo Walkaround part 2:search for this on youtube>>>>BC488Bpt3QM


Obviously, shipping is the responsibility of Buyer