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Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Jun 16 2021, 02:07 PM

Posted by: ddire333 Jun 16 2021, 02:41 PM

Nice addition, great for summer

Posted by: ClayPerrine Jun 16 2021, 03:45 PM

Does it have a 4cam motor???

Clay

Posted by: BENBRO02 Jun 16 2021, 03:58 PM

Wouldn’t that add $500,000 to the value?

Posted by: windforfun Jun 16 2021, 04:15 PM

Hmmm... I don't think that's a 914.

Posted by: 73-914 Jun 16 2021, 04:19 PM

It's the 914's Father. Miid-engine , air-cooled boxer 4

Posted by: windforfun Jun 16 2021, 04:21 PM

HP?

Posted by: rgalla9146 Jun 16 2021, 04:21 PM

It does appear to be on jackstands

Posted by: Literati914 Jun 16 2021, 04:28 PM

I've ALWAYS wanted one, and a replica works for me.. I would not however, make it a replica of Dean's car JMHO. Anyway, way to go!


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Posted by: Ansbacher Jun 16 2021, 06:49 PM

Why is it obligatory that everyone must be in awe of the 550 Spyder? I find it very unappealing and its association with James Dean's death makes it even more so.

Ansbacher

Posted by: mepstein Jun 16 2021, 07:03 PM

I think the real ones are pretty cool but most of the replicas are a mess. They ride poorly and are put together like any other kit car. Look good from 20’ but not great up close.

Posted by: sixnotfour Jun 16 2021, 09:24 PM

Deal with one on the weekly,, mismash everything....Gets all the Attention though...
LiL Bastard

Posted by: Bullethead Jun 16 2021, 09:50 PM

And further, I abhor the "lil Bastard" graphics. Hope you lose them. Decent 550 replicas are available from Beck, but they're still replicas and like the majority of TupperSpeedsters only attract a certain purchaser because of the look.

Might as well hang some freakin' fuzzy dice...

The most convincing Porsche replica I've ever seen and regret not buying was a 550, but a very different version. No Furmann 4-cam but nearly every other detail was accurate, including the chassis construction. Shoulda pulled the trigger:

Posted by: 930cabman Jun 17 2021, 04:55 AM

Me too, a 2.7 would move her along just nicely

Posted by: mate914 Jun 17 2021, 06:48 AM

I would be happy with it.
Matt

Posted by: rgalla9146 Jun 17 2021, 06:51 AM

A real ladder chassis, an aluminum body, a 356SC engine or a new 4cyl 911 based
engine and 356 gauges and details......now we're talkin.
Skip the 'Little Bastard' and #130 BS

Posted by: BENBRO02 Jun 17 2021, 07:50 AM

I’d take one with or without the “James Dean”graphics. I love the look but have never driven one.

Posted by: 73-914 Jun 17 2021, 07:51 AM

550 kg of FUN

Posted by: Shivers Jun 17 2021, 08:11 AM

It looks like fun, even with a Forty Horse. I like that idea of that boxer 4. But George, I wouldn't name my hot air balloon The Hindenburg.

Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Jun 17 2021, 10:50 AM

This one is special, tubular frame exactly like the original 550 transmission, 550 front oil cooler 356 carrera brakes, factory steering wheel and gauges and switches, 356 sc engine, but fiberglass body, however about as close as it gets. this drives like the real thing not a kit car, and the dimensions are exact unlike Chuck's slight stretch that we used to sell years ago

Posted by: flipb Jun 17 2021, 11:17 AM

Is this the George Barris car? Looks like it based on the license plate...
https://entertainment.ha.com/itm/movie-tv-memorabilia/props/george-barris-replica-of-little-bastard-james-dean-s-race-car-used-in-the-film-james-dean-race-with/a/688-31272.s

Posted by: Shivers Jun 17 2021, 01:21 PM

The one you put up is lettered in orange, the other is in black.

Posted by: Root_Werks Jun 17 2021, 02:31 PM

Cool car and it'll turn heads, be fun to drive. Nice find!

Posted by: Literati914 Jun 17 2021, 03:30 PM

Though I'm not a fan of the lil bastard 130 scheme - I always thought his car's stripes were red - those look orange on my monitor. What's the truth there?

BTW - I actually love the racing stripes on a 550, and have been kicking around a similar idea for one of my 914 projects.


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Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jun 17 2021, 05:00 PM

If the guy that just bought Dean's transaxle for six figures is looking for the engine, it's been adapted into this Lotus (#159 on grid) driver William Eschrich; seen here at a Bakersfield California Sports Car Club event in 1956.
Car #50 is 550-06/ Ken Miles, and Car #211 is 550-09 Richie Ginther. Today the Lotus is still in the same Family ownership, complete with the same 4cam.
Nice Sunday Car George !

Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jun 17 2021, 06:21 PM

Ernst Fuhrmann 4 cam engine (James' 550 Spyder) as it sits in the engine bay of the Lotus #159 Dr. William Eschrich

Posted by: windforfun Jun 17 2021, 06:46 PM

I love history. Fact is truly more interesting than fiction.

Posted by: wonkipop Jun 19 2021, 06:04 PM

repro or not, would be a lot of fun.
very low. watch out for georgia soccer mums in suvs.

always fancied one of these.
servicing costs put me off.
p museum bought one out for targa tasmania about 10 years back.
love the shark gills.
they seemed to stop coming to the targa, but for a while there they were here every year with something out of their vault. never a 914 but.

early 60s would have been a good time to be a beer drinking german race mechanic?

Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Jun 19 2021, 10:44 PM

You can always just build one using scavenged 550 pieces, part of a C coupe, and lots of time shaping aluminum.


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Posted by: VegasRacer Jun 21 2021, 08:25 PM

2Z77767


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Posted by: Rand Jun 21 2021, 09:06 PM

I love the 550. And not because of James Dean. I will never get into something because of a celebrity. I love the car for what it is.

Posted by: wonkipop Jun 22 2021, 03:23 AM

a bit like running a BF 109 with a merlin engine?
except its actually a spitfire with a supercharged inverted daimler.
that would rock.

never knew the dean machine engine ended up somewhere.
lotus is low given the 4 cam sticks right out of it!
nice.