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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ OT Never give up
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Aug 20 2023, 10:22 AM
7 years to be able to sit and smile! Never give up, keep building, no matter how long it takes!!!
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Posted by: Mueller Aug 20 2023, 10:35 AM
Congrats, that looks like way too much work for me.
Posted by: DennisV Aug 20 2023, 10:38 AM
7 years to be able to sit and smile! Never give up, keep building, no matter how long it takes!!!
Posted by: Superhawk996 Aug 20 2023, 10:43 AM
Very cool. How much would you say is original vs new metal?
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Aug 20 2023, 10:47 AM
Very cool. How much would you say is original vs new metal?
About half the metal is original Wendler/Porsche metal.
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Posted by: Cairo94507 Aug 20 2023, 10:49 AM
Outstanding! ![popcorn[1].gif](style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)
Posted by: Superhawk996 Aug 20 2023, 10:51 AM
Very cool. How much would you say is original vs new metal?
About half the metal is original Wendler/Porsche metal.
Amazing - great job with the photo documentation of where parts are coming from.
Posted by: Superhawk996 Aug 20 2023, 10:54 AM
That’s also a heck of an English Wheel collection you’ve got there. 
Posted by: DennisV Aug 20 2023, 10:57 AM
That’s also a heck of an English Wheel collection you’ve got there.
I think those photos are from Wray Schelin's shop?
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Aug 20 2023, 10:59 AM
That’s also a heck of an English Wheel collection you’ve got there.
I think those photos are from Wray Schelin's shop?
Yup, at Wray's
www.proshaper.com
Take the class, learn the art of metal shaping!
Posted by: Shivers Aug 20 2023, 11:09 AM
Congratulations. Lots of work
Posted by: mepstein Aug 20 2023, 12:15 PM
Posted by: Montreal914 Aug 20 2023, 12:52 PM
Very cool project.
Wray is my YouTube hero! The master!
Posted by: SirAndy Aug 20 2023, 01:06 PM
Never give up
Posted by: burton73 Aug 20 2023, 01:43 PM
Well done. Watching your car coming along and all I can say is WOW
Keep on going you are building something special.
Best Bob B
Posted by: 930cabman Aug 20 2023, 05:01 PM
Famous words from Sir Winston Churchill
Great progress with a great project
Never, never
Posted by: r_towle Aug 20 2023, 05:48 PM
Fantastic build, and a great story because it’s you building it!
Posted by: Montreal914 Aug 20 2023, 06:03 PM
RSK in the background?
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Aug 20 2023, 06:22 PM
RSK in the background?
Maserati 300S.
Posted by: bkrantz Aug 20 2023, 07:27 PM
Congrats--that work looks top notch.
Posted by: bkrantz Aug 20 2023, 07:31 PM
Never give up
OK, I can't resist. I have a campy fondness for Galaxy Quest, in part because of the location shown in that photo: Goblin Valley in central Utah. I have done geologic research in that area, and taught field courses there. We always stop at GV, at least for lunch and a look at the Goblins. Most of the time, that turns into a crazy tag session, even when my students are professionals in their 30s.
Posted by: windforfun Aug 21 2023, 02:18 PM
Never give up
Great movie!!! I've watched it several times.
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Aug 22 2023, 08:23 PM
It's all fitting together and with the floor it's very strong.
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Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Aug 25 2023, 12:28 PM
Phase 1 is complete, only took 7 years! The body is shaped, complete and together. Phase 2 begins, the mechanical. Then phase 3, final assembly and finishing of body and interior. Never give up! Thanks for Wray Schelin at Pro Shaper for making dreams come true. I took his class on metal shaping years ago, learned some skills and he and me went crazy on my dream, an aluminum 550 Spyder. This is that dream realized.
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Posted by: KELTY360 Aug 25 2023, 12:51 PM
Fascinating!
Did any of those parts include a title?
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Aug 25 2023, 02:00 PM
The 356 front clip is the ID of the car.
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Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Sep 14 2023, 07:19 PM
According to science a group of Spyders is called a Cluster. My car and 550-0054.
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Posted by: Cairo94507 Sep 15 2023, 07:33 AM
I have always loved the Spyder.
Posted by: Nate W Sep 15 2023, 10:16 AM
Such a cool project, amazing work
Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Sep 15 2023, 10:22 AM
terrific project, you are the master!
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Sep 15 2023, 12:48 PM
terrific project, you are the master!
Nope, but Wray is.
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Posted by: TRP Sep 15 2023, 06:46 PM
Wow. That is spectacular.
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Mar 15 2024, 09:41 AM
Yesterday was pretty cool, it's alive!
https://www.facebook.com/1620504960/videos/pcb.10229307586627091/397910622975531
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Posted by: Root_Werks Mar 15 2024, 10:21 AM
What a cool milestone!
Posted by: mepstein Mar 15 2024, 10:30 AM
Posted by: 930cabman Mar 15 2024, 10:41 AM
Very cool, persistence does pay off.
All in your spare time 
She looks a little droopy in the rear
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Mar 15 2024, 11:15 AM
Very cool, persistence does pay off.
All in your spare time
She looks a little droopy in the rear
Yeah, it was sitting fine until it was under load, we adjusted the Spring plates another 18 degrees, fixed that right up.
Posted by: Shivers Mar 15 2024, 11:34 AM
Very cool dude. Neat tool your friend is using there. Are those the factory foot pedals?
Posted by: ClayPerrine Mar 15 2024, 11:34 AM
Needs a 4 Cam motor.
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Mar 15 2024, 11:42 AM
Needs a 4 Cam motor.
Sort of.
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Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Mar 15 2024, 11:44 AM
Very cool dude. Neat tool your friend is using there. Are those the factory foot pedals?
High quality and faithful repro's. I was able to grab a lot of original stuff but no pedals have come my way.
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Posted by: Maltese Falcon Mar 15 2024, 06:15 PM
Seen you romping around in it on iGram; I dig it 
!¡
Posted by: Glecko Mar 16 2024, 05:57 AM
This has got to be the coolest project I have ever seen. Complete jealousy as I love and desire a 550 (or at least a replica) of my own. Would fit right in with my 914 and 986. Just have to convince the wife.
Posted by: r_towle Mar 16 2024, 06:51 PM
Keep going buddy, you will get it done!
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Jul 4 2024, 04:47 PM
Starting to look like a car with an engine!
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Posted by: Shivers Jul 4 2024, 05:03 PM
Looks great. Beautiful dash, never noticed before.
Posted by: Superhawk996 Jul 4 2024, 05:32 PM
Looking forward to seeing this returned to the road.
Posted by: Tdskip Jul 4 2024, 10:12 PM
Just fantastic
Posted by: Freezin 914 Jul 5 2024, 06:21 AM
Posted by: Pezz Jul 5 2024, 07:31 AM
Nice work!
Posted by: nathanxnathan Jul 5 2024, 08:48 AM
Wow! I hope he was filming. I've been watching the almost painfully slow progress on Wray's channel, like 10 episodes maybe so far of him building the dash. I hope he does 1 finishing it and putting it in and stuff.
Posted by: 930cabman Jul 5 2024, 11:55 AM
This has got to be the coolest project I have ever seen. Complete jealousy as I love and desire a 550 (or at least a replica) of my own. Would fit right in with my 914 and 986. Just have to convince the wife.
Not worried about the wife, but a 550 would fit nicely next to my 930
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Aug 1 2024, 10:36 PM
The heart of any great car is its engine. For this build I was lucky enough to coax Vic Skirmants out of engine building retirement to build me a special engine. Combined with Ibrahim's shroud and the magic hands of Bill Haupt the engine was installed in the car today. A momentous day to say the least.
The next and final chapter is coming soon, stay tuned.
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Posted by: 930cabman Aug 2 2024, 04:50 AM
Good (lucky) move to get Vic on your team, doesn't get much better.
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Aug 2 2024, 08:27 AM
Good (lucky) move to get Vic on your team, doesn't get much better.
I just bought his last race car too, so my destiny is forever tied to Vic.
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Posted by: krazykonrad Aug 2 2024, 10:27 AM
Which kind of motor is that?
Posted by: BillJ Aug 2 2024, 11:18 AM
4 cam. Rare and very expensive.
Posted by: mepstein Aug 2 2024, 11:22 AM
We could fix the 356 race car for you.
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Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Aug 2 2024, 01:20 PM
We could fix the 356 race car for you.
Thanks Mark, but I'll put it on the Celette here.
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Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Aug 2 2024, 01:21 PM
4 cam. Rare and very expensive.
It's a Faux Cam, 912 engine with the 4 cam shroud.
Posted by: TJB/914 Aug 2 2024, 01:22 PM
Good (lucky) move to get Vic on your team, doesn't get much better.
I just bought his last race car too, so my destiny is forever tied to Vic.
Here Vic's car racing at Waterford Hills, Michigan about August 8th. 2008.
I was there watching the race with the our local PCA guys. My 914 was in the parking lot.
Tom in MI
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Posted by: Root_Werks Aug 2 2024, 03:56 PM
The last two 356's I "restored" had Skirmants 1750's. Sweet engines to say the least.
Very cool to see the progress!
Posted by: Superhawk996 Aug 2 2024, 04:50 PM
Ah yes, Waterford Hills Racetrack
Home of outrageous noise restrictions, the worst neighbors that complain about it endlessly despite the track having been there long before they moved in, and lacking runoff almost everywhere.
The 550 is looking even more marvelous with the motor.
Posted by: Shivers Aug 2 2024, 05:04 PM
These are cool 
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Aug 2 2024, 05:46 PM
These are cool
The top picture is real 4cam, the bottom is my car and my first attempt in 30 years to do safety wire. The last time was working on my dad's place as a teenager.
Posted by: ClayPerrine Aug 4 2024, 06:13 PM
Is that your Faux Cam motor????
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Aug 4 2024, 07:46 PM
Is that your Faux Cam motor????
Indeed, Faux Cam, built by Vic.
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Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Aug 8 2024, 07:48 PM
Is there anything sexier, I don't think there is.
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Posted by: 930cabman Aug 9 2024, 05:01 AM
Is there anything sexier, I don't think there is.
Great tail, and lucky guy you are. Enjoy this in good health
Posted by: BillJ Aug 9 2024, 06:55 AM
I remember when you could watch these speedsters with 4 cams run at pca club races. You could see all kinds of exotic cars running. Not as much these days but always a thrill to see these pivotal cars that forged Porsche into our collective psyche. A joy to see that 550 in raw state like that and knowing it is in good hands.
Posted by: krazykonrad Aug 9 2024, 08:58 AM
Tell us more about that Faux Cam engine.
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Apr 16 2026, 04:54 PM
So today was strange. I'm learning with putting together all these old aluminum 550 panels that old metal doesn't like to be TIG welded. I was talking to Wray Schelin who mentioned he has a new X1 Pro 3-in-One Laser Welder and told me how great it is. I had to see if it would work on old cruddy aluminum. I had two pieces of a long ago burned Spyder and thought if this welder can weld old, half burned and melted metal, it should be the ticket! It worked like a dream, I think there is a laser welder in my future. As a bonus, I made 550 art!
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Posted by: barefoot Apr 17 2026, 06:55 AM
4 cam. Rare and very expensive.
It's a Faux Cam, 912 engine with the 4 cam shroud.
You cheater, creating a 4 cam illusion very nasty of you.
At least get those valve covers & starter cleaned & painted
Barefoot
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Apr 17 2026, 08:40 AM
4 cam. Rare and very expensive.
It's a Faux Cam, 912 engine with the 4 cam shroud.
You cheater, creating a 4 cam illusion very nasty of you.
At least get those valve covers & starter cleaned & painted
Barefoot
The real 4-cam is going in the 914.
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Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Jul 14 2026, 05:59 PM
Stitching the 550 together, lots of banging and tweaking to get it all to fit. William Haupt and the jigs make it doable.
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Posted by: preach Jul 14 2026, 06:11 PM
So much rust to build this. You still come up to NH?
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Jul 14 2026, 09:28 PM
So much rust to build this. You still come up to NH?
Every chance I get!
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Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Jul 15 2026, 08:47 PM
Daily dose of 550, we're making progress. Stay tuned. William Haupt has magic hands!
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Posted by: sixnotfour Jul 15 2026, 09:59 PM
Wow, 
Posted by: KELTY360 Jul 16 2026, 10:13 AM
That dash/cowl looks like it’s alive! A thing of beauty.
Posted by: mepstein Jul 16 2026, 11:01 AM
NGU
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Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Jul 19 2026, 09:24 PM
Today was a milestone in this build. The front end is all welded together from the nose to the dash. It came out pretty good, and the hood fits.
Next stop is scary, hanging the doors. Stay tuned.
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Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Jul 24 2026, 09:37 PM
Well, it wasn't the first time, and it won't be the last, but I got my arse handed to me the last couple of days. We had to weld the hinge plates in and hang the doors. Sounds simple. It was hell, and our jig, which is usually infallable was not helpful. We winged it, and finally got two doors that open and close, at the correct upper right angle, but it was not fun. William Haupt stayed the course with me and we got it done, but we were brain whipped when it was done. Bill even found time to finish up his belly pan for his 550, 0054. Next is putting the body on the frame, that should be dramatic!
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Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Jul 27 2026, 08:56 PM
Along came a Spyder...
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Posted by: 73-914 Jul 27 2026, 09:39 PM
Looking GOOD
Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Jul 29 2026, 06:30 PM
10 years of work and for the first time, it looks like a car. This car about broke me, way more complicated and unforgiving then a 356.
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Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Aug 4 2026, 03:37 PM
Back home, 6000 miles, stick a fork in me, I'm done....
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