SOT/ i really like the 356 replicas, I would totally drive this one Options

[jsayre914]

I dont even care if its a replica, it is just sexy. 25000 seems like a good deal to me, but I live in reality, and I did not hit the lotto yet. But seriously, if I did get it, I am not sure if I would drive this one or the 914 more often (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)


The link

[Bullethead]

the real deal (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

Yow. That's not only gorgeous but seriously special. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)
Carrera Speedsters with their OG engines are pretty scarce... so many had swaps when they were cheap, nobody would have imagined $100K for those lumps.
Now of course it's big bidness. Even though I've seen a bunch of 'em in the last decade, whenever a lid opens to show one it's hard not to drool.

I've owned a number of speedsters, back when they were cheap. I've serviced and driven any number of replicas, including a repop Convertible D that was factory built in Canada. They're just not the same thing. For a Poseur, they're fine, but I can show you how to spot a fake from across the parking lot. Same for Spyder kit cars. Having worked on and driven the real deal, the kits, while pretty nice, just don't get it. Fiberglas kits just don't feel like steel or aluminum, and kits are, well, kits.

As for the '72 Ghia being better than a '56 Speedster, good luck with that one. Although the Speedster had swing axles, it had about one and a half times the HP, shorter gearing, about 10 times the brakes (Porsches had more brakes than the Vettes of the same years), a lower CG, and a substantial weight advantage. Cooler, too. And better seats.

The Cap'n

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) This. Unlike many in the 356 world, I've no problem with replicas... hell, I'd own a Martin & Walker 904 or WerksCars 906 tomorrow if I could.

But apart from a handful of manufacturers like Intermeccanica or Beck, most Speedster copies are lacking. The majority just look good. Sure, beautiful shape and if you like them, great... that's reason enough to cruise one. But that's all you can do with it. It's not anything like the engineering and construction of what it mimics. BTW,
I run against real Speedsters in historic and vintage... tell guys like Skirmants their cars are slow and don't handle. Better yet, try to keep up with them in that class.

So, after reading this http://www.karmannghiaconnection.com/72roadtest.html it was a reminder of why I skipped Car & Driver in favor of Competition Press and R&T back then. Forty years on, comparing a 356 to a KG is still ridiculous. Sixteen years of automotive development is huge... it's not a serious comparo, just fluff to pump
up Karmann Ghia sales. Bet VW America was happy to suggest such a "test".

Anyway, I prefer hardtops. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sunglasses.gif)