Real vs. Replica! - Which would you choose?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ธ.ค. 2024
- Beck 550 Spyder , Porsche Spyder , Porsche 356 , Real Vs Replica , Real Vs Fake, Porsche vs Beck , Porsche 550 Spyder Replica , Porsche compare , Which is best? Beck air cooled , #RealPorsche #Porsche356 #550SpyderReplica #BeckSpyder
Porsche 356A Vs Beck Spyder! Which would you choose? Real or Replica? We go into the pros and cons of each.
Driving review of the Beck Spyder: • Beck Porsche 550 Spyde...
Driving and full review of the 356: • Porsche 356A Full Revi...
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Hi Everyone! This is a conceptual piece. It applies to anything that gets copied from a Rolex to a Cobra to a 550 Spyder. The cars featured are just an example of that concept. It was never meant to be a direct comparison thus the title.
Real or Replica?? That is the question :) Which would you choose? Do you agree with my points? Let me know!!
Driving review of the Beck Spyder: th-cam.com/video/GMGz8c-1hxQ/w-d-xo.html
Driving and full review of the 356: th-cam.com/video/QzJorLyHBIg/w-d-xo.html
I'll take both its so hard to choose just one
I've always wanted a Porsche 356 Speedster C, but truth be told I'd rather have a replica with disc brakes and a strong 1835cc or maybe even a 2180cc engine. But the idea of owning a real 356 is not a must for me anymore. I think after owning a couple of Porsches I've found that I'm more interested in the performance than the nostalgia of a real 356. I feel I would be disappointed. So it's replica for me all the way!
I like your idea about to compare an original to a replica I just would have chosen a 356 replica to point out even more the difference.
I had the fun to drive a 356 replica and was surprised about the craft-mans ship ,pretty solid with a new price depending on the engine from $ 35000.00 affordable and to point that out again it's not a kit car !
Heidi and Franny's Garage have you ever heard of making a replica or restomod safe? Seatbelts, airbags, modern crash worthiness?
Thanks! Great info in the video
You two have taught me so much! I am not afraid to work on my Porsche’s now!!! Thank you 🙏
Replica. And have fun. Life is too short to have something parked In your garage.
I agree man, drive it..don’t hide it
Is that a euphemism? In that case, the younger one. As it where.
yesssss, the replica, and for the rest of the money a big garage with a house beside ist.....:D
Agreed! Also life is too short to have something hung in your closet. Wear it, use it, drive it, play it, etc., people! We're not getting younger!
I love kit cars and replicas :) A car that looks like a classic beauty but has modern tech, suspension, engine and safety is an absolute winner in my books
I agree. Best of both worlds and far cheaper!
Between a $3mil original and $40k replica, that not a "choice" any of us are going to be making anytime soon
Or, for fun bombing around town with modern safety features, $8K Boxster from 15-20 years ago.
lol! exactly!
The replica is not a choice for me either.
I can get the 986 Boxster if I save up... in 2020 :D.
The original Porsche 356 shown here is NOT 3'000'000 $! It is about 30'000$, maybe a little bit more. Twenty years ago, a friend of mine bought an original in Switzerland for a little more than 20'000 $ and he drove it every day.
Beck 550 Spyder, sexy Iconoclastic roadster. Great overhead POV.
For many years I'd restore a car to totally original but then only drive it to shows because it was "too nice." I decided I'd rather drive the cars than have them just sit in the garage until the next show. I appreciate the show quality original car very much but I'd choose the replica. Cars may be art but they were made to be driven. Great video - thank you!
TOTALLY AGREE
David Roddick so true!!! I love my Porsche boxter S
A reproduction can also be built to what you want. More powerful engine, better brakes and suspension parts, all from the VW market for the most part. It'll never have the value of an original, but it'll be a far more usable vehicle on modern roads. As for a real 550 spyder, you will never afford one if you can even find one for sale. I've only seen one real one, it was almost finished with it's restoration. It had been crashed in a road race back in the early 60's and was found in a garage in san francisco. The engine was sent back to Porsche for rebuilding, the body was sent to special restorers who can work with aluminum. The car was amazing, and more money to restore then I paid for a house. Beck spyders are about as good as a reproduction can get.
Exactly
I came to the same realization...to bad we are brainwashed from the beginning...).
That Beck 550 Spyder is beautiful.
I owned a 1955 Speedster. It turned out to be a rust bucket. I bought it anyway, drove it hard, and enjoyed every second. I found it in DC IN THE EARLY 60's when I was working at Pax River NAS, MD. every afternoon 2 other engineers and I would race back to town . The race was to see who could stay in front. If I was, they couldn't keep up. The others were driving a TR-3 and an XK-120' the jag could pass only on the straights, then leave us in the dust. My Porsche has magnesium wheels an aluminum doors, hood, and engine hatch. When I had to go back to Long Island, I sold the Porsche for what I paid for it. Sure missed it. Bought a Mercedes instead. It had a better heater. I envy your pair, both on my wish list. I would like the Beck 550 replica in today's environment.livin in FL, I d go for a replica coupe with A/C. YOU DID AN EXCELLENT job in your video.
..
Just wanted to add a comment
I am new to your channel
What a breath of fresh air. Could listen to you explain mechanics all day. What a great discovery. Watched your whole series on the spyder. Can’t wait to watch more of what ever you decide to do next
Thanks so much! Really glad you enjoyed it. Yea!
Great video Franny! I've been a fan of the 550 Spyder for decades. How could I not be. After all, James Dean was a huge influence on my life having seen "Rebel Without a Cause" when I was 12 years old.
Fanny, I really adore your videos. You are absolutely asking the right questions and have all the right answers. I 100% agree with you on this video. Thumbs up!
I agree completely with your evaluation of pros and cons. Truly I think I enjoy the outlaw originals more than the originals, so a replica just makes sense for me.
Excellent, balanced discussion of two very different cars (even though they share a vintage look). There's no right or wrong choice between vintage and replica. Franny's done a great job articulating pros and cons of each. A buyer's resources, skills, and anticipated activities with the car will point to the right choice for them. To each her (or his) own. Your "Garage" videos are really great, and getting better all the time. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Thanks Rob!
Great to see a woman who knows and likes cars. I love the 550.
Cool.
Well, I have worked on 4 or 5, 356 variants including a Super 90 and a 4 cam and all of them were nicer to drive on the road than any 550 including an RSK I got lucky enough to lap Lime Rock in ...
The Beck cars weren’t cheap to start with but they were better engineered than almost any“Kit” car..
356 replicas all feel like a beetle to drive and are a bit slower than a real 356 because their Heavy fiberglass bodies are made with a chopper gun. Beck 550s can be used at track days, are great in the canyons and other curvy roads. (Not a car for trips or fat guys though)..
The 5 lug(wide 5) spindles were part of the drum brake technologies used at the time.. nothing to do with strength.. the wheel bearings are the weak point and those drums are fine but require technique and knowing their limits . You can put wide 5 /disc brakes on the Beck Spyder to run more accurate replica wheels.. but they don’t add much (If any)value or performance. With a Beck 550 you can pick any engine you want from 60- 400hp and have whatever level of lunacy you choose.. but a fastidiously original standard 356? Fun to look at, brag about owning? Maybe.. but any magic you feel is in your head. Because they were made to be fun usable road cars, they are good but not great cars. The Beck feels like you expect a vintage Porsche race spec car to drive and sound (and rare without being authentic) they are not cheap kit cars. But they (and all real 550s)are tiring on a freeway and barely have room for a bag lunch and a skinny friend. Race cars got the lightest available parts, so those cheesy Beetle arms might be accurate.
I love cars and very much appreciate seeing a woman with knowledge and same passion for cars. I look forward to watching more of your videos.
I could not stop watching....Can't believe you took me through more then 10 videos. Great job.
Thanks so much!
You're my new favorite TH-cam auto blogger. Love the in depth info on the Porsches. Totally unique content and great production. I've been dreaming of a 550 replica for years and you're making the case for ownership very strong.
Thanks!
The Beck 550 is definitely my dream leisure car. You can live with it without worries and I love that it makes the snobby crowds a little angry. They’re cars people, built for happiness not investment!
Excellent compare & contrast, with real-life questions and choices. Presenter is easy to watch (unlike other "talking head" vids), and has creditable knowledge & vocabulary. Very good camera work & editing. Kudos!
Hi Franny, really enjoyed your comments on replicas and originals. Completely agree that the wonderful old original cars are being parked up and ownership is becoming burdensome. Thankfully I've got one old and one new so I make the effort to drive each on alternate weekends - we're lucky down under because the weather isn't too extreme in winter and great in the evenings in summer. Great job with your site, keep it up.
Thanks.
Great post !!! My Dad had a 1956 356 A when we lived in California in the mid 70s. He regretted selling it to his dying day. As far as the 550 , not much chance of getting one of those. If I did , I'd build a room around it and treat it as a museum piece !! lol
I'm 63. I started driving at 16, but in NY, 18 was the magic number. Ever since then, I have 30 or so vehicles. This viD, states a much more practical view on replicas
Super nice comparison. You have knowledge and share it so beautifully.
Good video. I appreciate the straightforward style of presentation instead of the hand-flapping and clowning too many presenters think is necessary.
Your explanations are so easy to understand, thank you !
I have both a Bugatti 35B & 65 Cobra replica...
Both still turn heads when I drive around.
Both get a thumbs up or "cool car dude"
Both are cheap to keep and insure.
I love my replicas.
I once worked in a shop that built Cobra replicas. Believe me when I say the replica can kill you just as dead as the real thing! That 35B must be a lot of fun to drive.
What were the donor cars?
Terrific Video! Enjoyed every bit of it. Thanks for the posting!
Thanks!
Great video. Love the explanation. I want to do a spider replica at some point.
Came across this channel from other Porsche vids. Pleasant surprise. Good job 👍
I wish that I could back in time 5 years ago...that turn-key Beck Spyder is over $60k now!
It's not turn key.
I enjoyed watching this series on the Beck Spyder and troubleshooting its issues. Granny has the clearest explanations along with excellent videos to help us amateurs learn about
options and often simple fixes. I own a 1975 Superbeetle Convertible fuel injected bug. Granny’s explanations of VW’s, Porsche’s has given me confidence to do a lot of the fixes myself. FYI, I live very near where the Beck Speedsters are made and I understand they are excellent at making these replicas. I plan to visit them soon. I think too, that your reasoning for owning a replica makes so much sense. I love the drive that these VW’s makes one feel, the sound, the independence and the joy of crushing around whenever!
Thanks,
Dan, in Plymouth,In
Having spent thirty years restoring cars I can appreciate the 356. I'm retired now and would prefer the 550 as I would want a "fun car" that I could bang around the country roads here. As a side note, most of the people around here wouldn't know a Porsche from a Ferrari anyway! You did a fantastic job on the video. I look forward to more videos because you seem quite knowledgeable.
You said it all. Very knowledgable. Not many ladies know the sending unit, the difference between a generator and an alternator. Wow! I'm so impressed!
For me the real classic is real expensive. It's sad that all I can do is letting it sit and just look at it or search for TH-cam clip like this one. I used to work on cars from Jaguar E Type V12, Aston Martin DBS 6 in line and DBS V8 to Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Corniche for my clients of course. It's painful when comes to parts sourcing and modifying and insurance, tax, etc. So, restoring, keeping and maintaining these classics need a fortune. Nothing I can do other than remembering them with love.
In the '80's a friend of mine had a replica Model A Ford with Pinto running gear. What a marvelous mechine! Modern reliability and heat and A/C, it was his daily driver! He was a real nut, but lots of fun to be around!
Wow.
Everyone needs a friend like that!
Excellent production values and knowledgeable commentary. Congratulations on one of the best car sites on TH-cam.
Gosh, thanks!
I have a vintage Porsche 911 and always wanted a 550 spyder. Thanks for doing this video, I learned a lot.
Wow! Opening montage (drone footage) was truly top shelf. Very nice camera work on two beautiful cars. And I enjoyed the whole vlog too. Interesting quandary for those shopping these types of cars. The answer, if you can afford it, is to have one of each I suppose. Great job Franny!
Thanks Dave! It is actually a car you would like ;)
Own the ultimate in heresy: a MGTD replica on a VW chassis. While the real thing would be nice, I could never afford to keep it on the road. The number of smiles we get from people while driving it are priceless. My son and I were in it one day and got a honk and thumbs up from a couple driving a Mclaren! No one cares whether is is real or not including me. I will always tell people it’s a kit if they ask. The usual reaction is they can’t believe how nicely it is finished and then tell the story of the one they had one in college or that a favorite uncle drove one. Not much actual value but huge smiles per mile.
I have a real 1953 mgtd. and it’s not super expensive to keep running to be honest. But it does tend to break a lot
Trey Bugatti,
"... it does tend to break a lot." Just like back when they were new. Part of the authentic MG owner experience.
Worked 40 plus years in the auto industry, the replicas very much rely on the builder making a real effort for quality. Great show.
If your wealthy have both :-)
Cool video! Just stumbled across it because I really like the 50s - 70s Porsches and would consider buying a 356 replica for basically all the reasons you just pointed out here. You are very knowledgeable and calm, love it. Instant like and subscription😅 greetings from Germany 👋
Wow...after listening to you I feel more excited about my Honda and getting it waxed this week.
I really enjoyed this video. I am drawn to the replica. There is a freedom from the responsibilities of the original. There is a fancier replica version of the 550 made in aluminum with engine availability upto the four cam. Me, I would stick with this car in fiberglass. I think the four bolt wheels allow the use of readily available front disc brake rotors
Please continue these videos!! Absolutely fantastic!! Thank you!!!
Will do! Thanks.
my dad had a 356 in 1964, wished he'd kept it, my favourite car all my life, like 99 % of the population, a dream
"More Cobbled together rather than engineered" That's insightful.
I know a guy who has both a '56 Speedster and a replica. He drives the replica while the original is enshrined at his home. Got to sit in it once (the original). As a Beetle and 911 owner if felt so familiar right away in smell, touch and feel.
That aside, I'd like to commend the H & F Garage. You are doing a wonderful job of explanations and while I already know all most of this stuff it was still a pleasure to listen to because of the excellent no bs delivery and obvious knowledge. A lot of other channels I watch seem to fill up their videos with just their own personal experience and endless redundant chatter but your videos are very informational and straight to the point. Kudos to you and please keep it up!
Wow, thank you so much. Appreciate the compliment.
@@HeidiandFranny My biggest pleasure. :)
I was perusing Collector Car Trader and ran across a car I didn't know existed. A 1965 Chevy Biscayne with the "Drag Pack Option". 425hp 396 and a 4 speed. A true "sleeper". Asking price 20 years ago? $75K! I began my search for a '65 Biscayne and found one in San Diego. A 283 and a 3 speed. The car had one re-paint but the interior was trashed by his kids. I brought the car home and began my own vision of a "Drag Pack Option". I installed a 550hp 454 and a Richmond 6 speed. Hotckis suspension and front disc brakes. It already had a 12 blot rear end and switched from a 3:08 to 3:42 with a Posi. I replaced the interior with a kit from Classic Industries except I used '66 interior for the tu-tone. Color sanded and buffed the paint and re-chromed the bumpers. The only period correct front fender emblems were for a 427, so I added them. I was at a car show when a gentleman approached me. He said he use to work for GM and they never had a 427 in '65. I said, "So what?". He said, "Did you do this?". Again I said, "So what?". He said he had an original "Yenko Chevelle". I said, "Really? Where is it?" looking around. I said, "You see my car, but where's yours? I drive my cars but I don't see yours? Tell you what, why don't you eat shit and die!". He scooted away saying, "I didn't mean anything by it". I said, "Yes you did! I can't stand guys like you that don't drive their cars!". BTW, including the cost of the car, I had $20K into it. A far cry from $75K. LOL
There are enough collectors with concourse examples in garages preserving the heritage. It's wonderful to see old cars on the road, drive these classic machines.
I understand the issues of rare parts. I have an XJSC Jaguar of which they imported only about 300 in 86 and 87. What makes them different from other XJS' is the Targa package and that is exactly what had failed on mine. I spent most of last winter refabricating the inner latch assemblies that held the roof panels in place. Finally, just before the beginning of summer, I finished a long and tedious but rewarding at the time, task.
Great job with the video and comparison. Two beautiful cars. I have had both. I had Beck 550 Spyder #510 and also 23 real Porsches of pretty much every model over the years. I love driving the originals but as you stated, they are old cars and the real problem is most all air cooled Porsche's have gotten to be worth so much as an investment that you are almost afraid to drive them. The Beck was a blast to drive, mine had over 200 horsepower, it was easy to get in trouble with since it was so light and powerful but 0-60 was around 3 seconds. The 550 was designed as a race car and therefore has no ability to ventilate either fresh or heated air so most of the time you either freeze in it or cooked in it here in Florida. No windows or top, they are available but VERY finicky to install, and the doors on the 550, well lets just say it was easier to step over them. That said, it is a pure seat of the pants midengine blast to drive. The best of both worlds would be a beck Speedster replica. They have actual fresh air vents and heaters along with fairly usable windows, top, and doors. It is rear engined but is a much more refined and usable car for taking the wife in. They are also only about $40K for a new turnkey Beck Speedster Replica.
For all guys owning a replicas. What's the everyday difference between the body? Metal Vs fiberglass. Obviously if you knock on it it doesn't sound like metal but otherwise? The feel when you get in, when you close the doors. Is it basically the same?
The heart says original but the head says replica. Cost, safety, maintenance, reliability and drivability are perhaps the main reasons, with cost being the main one. A lot of classic cars (like the 550 ) have such a beautiful look that we don’t have these days so a replica can offer the looks with a few modern touches.
I drive a Ferrari replica based on a Merc SL. It’s as quick as the original F149 California. I’ve had it five years, it’s my daily drive (why not, it’s a Merc). It’s done nearly 100,000 miles and the only parts I’ve replaced in the five years are the batteries and the alternator. I don’t have to worry about rust. So the head says replica. Would I like a real one, you bet I would.
Excellent video you guys! Production value has really gone up with your videos. Great stuff.
Hi Chris. Thanks for showing up to the channel. We are always trying to improve. Thanks for noticing. Heidi
Thanks Chris! I watched your video on the $1M Beetle. So hard to say that without the Dr. Evil bit ;) That is a cool car. The owner should put out a book of originality. Neil did that for the 356 T2A Coupe and it is a great read and a great resource. Oh, your shop is so nice! So jealous of all that room. Looks like a great place to work! F
Ahh thanks Fran! But I need more room, I only have 2000sq ft.
In Canada you can get a collector's plate status (providing everything is original unmodified) which insurance is only $300/year
I would be happy with both, but I believe that a car should be driven, not just collected and preserved. If I could afford the original, my intention would be to drive and enjoy it, and not to treat it as an investment and worry about it. Life is to short for that. As for the cars, I like the look of the Spider more and at 40K, if it was fun to drive, why not!
Nice video, well done, thank you!
Thank you for another great video! Real is preferable, however I'm not opposed to replica. Replicas give us mortals the hope of experiencing some of the excitement without the cost.
Nice review. First time Ive seen your video. I thought it was too long initially but you kept my interest going all the way through. Subscribing today and look forward to seeing other videos.
What a great overview of pros and cons. Nice job!
Loved the video! I used to own a Classic Motor Carriages 1952 MG-TD with a Chevy Chevette 4 cyl engine. My wife hated it so much I sold it LOL
Came over from ratarossa, love your channel and i have subscribed, thanks.
Thanks so much! Welcome!
FYI, in many states, even a replica car is eligible to get historic/antique car license plates if it is at least 25 years old.
Hi Heidi, 1st time I visit your channel and I love it !! Best regards from Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Hi and welcome!
Nicely done, right to the point and very informative. I wish more automotive TH-cam contributors had your style. Thank you.
Thanks!
as good a replica can be, there is always trade ins that are made, the most obvious to my eyes are the powertrain and the structure, for the powertrain, the replica uses a beetle engine that is seriously hopped up so the torque charasteristics are greatly modified but the transaxle remains the same with the same ratios, for the structure, even if the copy is very close, the dynamic response is different from the original and I don't speak of the front and rear suspension.
Any engineering work drive to a compromize and any copy shows that because there is a massive parts substitution.
For most of drivers, they will not notice the difference but for performance breed drivers that seeks for the limit, there is an important difference that translates in performance and in endurance when the car is pushed hard.
for a typical daily driving use, for sure that my choice is for the Beck for all the advantages it represents in terms of acquisition, reliability and operation costs plus the joy of driving a car that makes all heads turning toward you.
Another great episode. Nice comparison Franny! Thanks!
What a great. Vlog. Well done you! Pleasant, informative and real detailed.. Truly amazing. I’m subscribing.
Oil filter (4:33) was a '40-up Ford option, could use a Ford tractor filter years later.
Wow.
I built a speedster replica for someone, really really fun to drive! You can't stop at a light without everyone staring and asking about it.
Very very nice production values. Nice job ladies! Love you guys.
Replica... I'd like a black 550 and add a stereo to it, but i wouldn't modify a real 550, i'd like to keep it as mint as i could, plus most of 550 replicas are based on VW Beetles. Where i live, the community of VW Bug owners/specialists is big enough and maintenance is cheaper, also i don't think i could give a classic the care it deserves.
I have owned two Porsches. '77 911 Targa and later my beloved '67 912 SRW Targa. When I had the '77, I almost traded it for a Beck Spyder. Your take on it is spot on.
I bet you are glad you still have your '77!
'77 was a money pit. Long gone. Traded it for a Ducati 750SS and cash over 20 years ago.
OMG She's so amazing! For me so far the best around youtube showing car videos & stuff.
Very well done. The real 1955 Spyders also had high pivot angles in the front suspension causing oversteer unless you got used to it. They spun out easily. I haven't driven the Beck or the Thunder Ranch Replicas, but kind of hope they use the tamer VW chassis for daily driving.
Great video with lots of nuanced observations. Very well spoken.
I've been fortunate in that i have driven and worked on a Beck Spyder, a real restored 1963 356B , spent an hour admiring from above , and underneath, a real 550 at the Revs museum in Naples ,Fla. and i own a Boxster S and a Cayenne. I will tell you they all are appealing in their own way. The Beck is just the most fun car to jump in , pump the gas a couple times, turn the key , push the start button and hear that rorty little 2165 cc reluctantly come to life. We put on 550 rims, disk brakes, Porsche gauges, pedal set, ebrake, rewired it so it's reliable and replaced the windshield with a period correct one. The funny thing about the " replica" is you can go to a club meet, park it beside a new Carrera Turbo and everyone crowds around the Spyder!..... and it's not even a real Porsche!
The 356 is, in a word........ sublime. Enough said.
The real 550 has a presence.........like Fenway park. Go to the Revs Museum. You'll understand.
Franny is from Naples. She will be there in Nov. We will check it out. Heidi
While I have a heartfelt kinship with a Porsche “born” four years after me, I’ve always been intrigued by Beck replicas. That said, I own a 1990 944S2 cabriolet (Porsche fanatics everywhere snear as they read this) but I’ve loved these cabs ever since I laid eyes on my XO’s who was going through a divorce and a mid-life crisis! He parked it on the pier next to our ship in Norfolk back in the mid-1990s. My 1990 is obviously much younger than the 58, but I am starting to “feel the pain” with OEM parts and availability. So for pure fun....I vote the Beck! And before they “plant me”, I’m going to drive the hell out of my car! I enjoyed your video.....it was a relaxing “watch”. Thank you.
944s are awesome. I really like them and did not sneer.
Your explanation is spot on. I think replica cars are pretty much accepted nowadays, unlike, for instance replica watches. I don't have figures at hand, but this strikes me as odd as the ratio of replica to real is probably more skewed to the replica in the world of watches relative to the domain of cars. As much as I like the Beck 550 spyder, I probably wouldn't own one. If a classic is too expensive I'd look for a different real Porsche that would fit the budget instead.
Great video. Great compairison nice cars. While you were going over the 356 i kept thinking... The smells, dont forget to mention the smells. The engine. The seats just a thing that you notice when driving theese. Even the smells from the engine are special to these. Also to be mentioned is that there are some really great 356 replicas. IMHO these early ones are the same car as the VW type1 (beetle) like you said easy to work on. Keep it up😊
356 hard top and i would drive it everyday.
550 replica all day drive it and enjoy it , great video
Your drone pilot skills are on point! Anyway, yeah, arguments can be made for both, but authenticity of experience means everything to me. On the other hand, getting to drive a fun mod like a Beck is perfectly valid. I'd say yes to both.
super lucky to have driven from time to time back in high school. My sister use to work for an A-List Celebrity in in the early 90's and she had 2 "356's one spider in black and another coupe in red. use to like driving the red one as it had dual carbs and was really dam fast for myself at the time. I'd totally go replica with a Subaru EJ25 non turbo - 6sp manual with limited slip diff !
money is the deciding factor! but me!!! replica!!!! you can go to town on engine .. brakes... etc and still have a car that looks fantastic!
Real for me. Though my passion is pre-war motorcycles. The advantage of motorcycles of this age is that they are very easy to work on and I ride my 1936 Velocette every week.
That's great! The 356 is really easy to work on too, just need to know what you are doing first. It isn't a VW engine ;) But that is another story (actually have a video on the 356 VW comparison if you are interested).
I'm currently gathering up parts for a replica 1957 Porsche 356 coupe which will be fully electric (Classic looks but with a future proof drivetrain). Adding an electric motor to a genuine 356 is something I wouldn't have the heart to do.
That is the smart thing to do anyhow. It makes more economic sense. Franny and I had discussed a replica speedster fully electric. We drove one once about six years ago. There was a guy putting batteries in them here in Denver. Heidi
How do you know that batteries are future proof? There's a lot of issues with batteries and I hope something better, don't know what, will eventually be here.
Hi Fredrik...By future proof I mean future governments won't be able to ban the use of it if its electric powered. I've already had to sell my diesel VW T4 (Eurovan in the U.S) because my government were charging (fining) me £100 per day for driving it into London.
+Fredrik Granberg Yeah mining, waste, replacement, not really viable for a future with a high methane burp we are about to put out. Gotta fix that fast. Miss my classic it was a Dodge Dakota V8. I know those things where poop but the radiator was bigger than the jeeps of the same year. Plus I learned to drive in a 78 stepside. I want to build another desert racer with a Ford ranger. I figure I will own my stuff forever so I modify it. :-)
@@ianbrown9082 100 pounds a day?? Wow...electric is the smart way to go...gas and oil will stop flowing in about ten years...
If you want to keep that original spare tiedown strap, I would condition the leather before it dries out and breaks.
Wonderful factual comparison!
I want them both ! :)))))
Thanks! That was fun to watch!
Thanks so much!
what a treat to see your cars,,, my 55 coupe is a beat up daily driver.. the beck 550 cars are hard to find too
Great video Heidi and Franny. It addressed a lot of the curiosity I had regarding the differences between the Beck and a real Porsche. The real 550's go into the millions, so in that sense a Beck is good alternative. Ive seen both a Beck 550 and legit '55 550 (at a dealership a few years back). Its hard to optically tell the difference, except the real car is more "weathered" when seen up close. I've often wondered - what if Porsche set aside an assembly line and produced a run of perfectly cloned 550's - down to the material and the bolt. It will never happen of course, but i'm sure there would be a captive market for them.
A tube radio! I love it. I have an older tube pre-amp for the house and get this...last time I had to replace the tubes they came in boxes stamped "USSR". Huge cool factor.
Isn't that awesome!
Laguna2013,
But didn't that outfit go out of business? (They also had a reputation for inferior quality for most products.)
Man I am so glad to see this. I totally agree with everything you said. I would love to be a caretaker of an original aircooled porsche but it is outside my budget. All these videos for the Beck 550 have really turned me on to it. I was looking at a Beck 904 but now seeing more about the 550 it better fits what I want. Awesome video, great comparison!
They are fun to drive. With the 550 I think that most folks outside the hobby can't even place the manufacture, let alone the model so they react on the pure aesthetics. It does bring a smile to people's faces :)
Correct me if I am wrong but when working on the engine on the Porsche 356 it's a pancake style engine just like the old Volkswagen and if it's got a generator than the electrical system would be 6 volt not 12 volt. I spent many years working on the old (late 1950's to mid 1970's) Volkswagen bug's, vans, square backs, carmen gias (not sure if I spelled that right). We used to take the old gias and make the Porsche spider replicas and old Porsche 356 copies and take the old Volkswagen motors and turn them into 2 liter engines. The hardest part about making the spider copy was making the rear "hood" area open up like the originals. Watching this video brought back a lot of fun memories of my younger years and now I am thinking about building one for myself. You're correct the original spyder did not have windshield wipers on them and the original windshields were flat across the bottom not curved. I would mind the replica just to drive it around, if I had an original car I would be afraid to drive it. First time that I've seen one of your videos.
I have my sports cars and my Utility vehicles. Out of all I pick our C6.3 A.M.G. Benz. 9000 miles. perfect maintenance and tuned to 600 H.P.! It has a few years on it but it is mint!
Another nice presentation. The quality replicas mimic the feeling of the originals (e.g Factory Five, Beck, JPS Motorsports, etc.) without the burden (purchase cost, risk of an accident, compromised driving environment) associated with driving an original. Though I would be more inclined to drive an original 356C coupe than an original Cobra. Plus one can easily make a hobby out of building/modifying the replica. Also the car has to be amenable to being recast as a replica. Simple cars like the 356 & Cobra are perfect examples of this.
took a while to get used to you girls me being a boy and all, but I have to say ..love ur channels and reviews theyare very informative and u do the cool stuff.
Beautiful cars. I’d take either. One is historical and cool. It will win you a lot of admiration at a cars and coffee.
The other gives you freedom to modify, to make it your own. You can tell stories about the build process. It also let’s you guilt free screech the tires through an apex without worrying about the “What if I understeer into that wall?” thought holding you back. Plus if you have a part wear out, you can typically get a replacement at autozone. None of that scavenging through forums and having your car be down months or longer while you wait on some hard to find component.
Oh and you earned a subscriber. Thanks for highlighting some rolling artwork. Would love to have both of these in my garage.
Thanks and Welcome!
Both beautiful cars in their own right & valid points across the board.
I think you can enjoy a replica more than you'd enjoy a genuine since you have less worries about damaging those antiques, furthermore if you want to go wild you can customize it without the commitment of keeping it original!
Really nice video....well done...first time watching one of your videos.
Thanks Hank! Welcome to the channel!