1955 Porsche 550 Spyder Replica
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1955
- Make: Porsche
- Model: 550 Spyder Replica
- VIN: AZ384172
- Mileage: 74
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Nardo Grey
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: San Marcos, CA 92069
- Lot #: V-0026683-DT
This 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder replica was custom-built for West Coast Vintage Motor Cars in 2022 and features an air-cooled 1600cc paired with its hand-built tubular steel chassis. The car comes finished in Nardo Grey over a blue quilted vinyl and tartan cloth interior. A unique take on one of Porsche’s most iconic designs, this custom 550 Spyder replica is now being offered for auction out of California showing under 100 miles on the odometer.
The hand-laid fiberglass bodywork comes finished in Nardo Grey, a popular Audi color offered as one of Porsche’s Paint to Sample options. The exterior is decorated with blue racing stripes, gold Spyder lettering, Karosserie Wendler badges, a polished central fuel filler, hood pins, and chrome twin decklid grilles. Other features include a driver’s helmet fairing, dual fender mirrors, dual exhaust outlets, LED taillights, and chrome 15” wheels with Porsche-crested hubcaps and new tires. Some cosmetic imperfections are depicted in the gallery.
The cockpit is lined with black carpeting and blue quilted vinyl upholstery along with blue tartan cloth behind the seats. Accessories include a custom blue shifter and matching vinyl boot, a custom three-spoke steering wheel, lap belts, and a suite of vintage-style gauges.
Power comes from an air-cooled 1,600cc Volkswagen engine with dual carburetors, driving the rear wheels by way of a 4-speed manual transmission. Braking is handled by drums at each corner.
This sale will include a clean title.
Auction Results
- Buy now purchase price: $31,000
- Auction End: Feb 17, 2023 04:37:50PM UTC
- Number of Offers: 1
Comments (36)
Purchased for $31,000
I'll trade you a restored 1969 beetle, no modifications, Plus $5,000 . Of course I'll pay Pcars the full buyers fee for the $31,000 value. Hope I'm not violating and Pcar rules.
Bid in the amount of $26,000
Bid in the amount of $25,250
Bid in the amount of $25,000
Bid in the amount of $24,000
Bid in the amount of $23,000
Bid in the amount of $21,000
Bid in the amount of $16,333
@SRMPDX GM-To the best of my knowledge it was painted. That being said I was always under the impression those imperfections you are referring to are because the body is Fiberglass (Hand Made Molds) and not metal.
I was looking at the pictures of the rear grilles, are you referring to the reflections as rust possibly?
Has the car been painted or is it just gray gelcoat? If it was painted it looks like it was applied with paint brushes (pic 88 shows this especially). If it was built in 2020 why so much rust and corrosion on the rear chrome grills? Are those Porsche crest stickers on VW Wolfsburg hubcaps?
@leigh GM- I have a Porsche 356 that I was able to successfully transfer from AZ to CA so shouldn't be a problem. I can help assist with that process if needed.
@fillindagarages Good Morning- You are correct this Porsche Spyder was built "for" West Coast Vintage Motor Cars. It was made to duplicate another Porsche 550 Spyder on the web that has the exact same build and interior. If you google it you should come across the car I am referring to (has white wall tires).
There is in fact several builders that have not gotten recognition for building quality replicas. There is a new company coming to the Porsche Replica market and hasn't gone public yet. I was offered this vehicle before the public. For those reasons there is no build sheet or badging.
Hope this helps but you are always welcome to inspect the vehicle or order a 3rd party inspection of your choice. There is more quality builders out there other than Beck, Vintage, etc. Every company/builder has to start somewhere from the ground and build a good reputation.
Have you tried to register the car in California? Is that possible?
@jab7106 Good Morning, The vehicle was built in a collaboration with West Coast Vintage Motor Cars and had a opportunity to buy the car before it went for sale to the public. I was not part of the building process and unfortunately not able to choose between Drum or Disc Brakes. I can tell you the car drives and performs amazingly the way it was built however I would know the difference between disc brakes. I assume you can convert to dice brakes rather easily?
@fillindagarages Thank you for the detailed history. Although this is an aesthetically pleasing build, without more detail about the build I am having some difficulty bidding with confidence.
@jab7106 I doubt this is a Vintage Motorcars (formely Vintage Spyders) build from Greg. Perhaps some PCAR MARKEY community members can identify the builder. To my eye it this 2022 build is not of the same quality as Vintage, Beck or TR. Take a close up look at the GT mirrors, windshield trim or clamshell louvers. I agree with your comment that 4 wheel drums and 1600 cc engines are very uncommon in 2022 builds.
I try to keep up with the ownership histories of the major 550 Spyder builders. Here is some info on "Vintage Motorcars of Hawaiian Gardens, California" that I have gathered for those interested...Vintage Speedsters was started over 20 years ago by Kirk, the owner and founder.
Next door was Vintage Spyders run by Greg, who worked for/with Kirk. Greg was building Spyders, Kirk was building Speedsters.
After almost 3 decades, the owner and founder of Vintage Speedsters was ready for a life closer to retirement. Kirk, passed the business to new operators, lead by Justin, a newcomer to the industry. Justin moved Vintage Speedsters from its original Hawaiian Gardens California location, to Scottsdale Arizona. Unfortunately, none of the original Vintage Speedster build crew, were able to make the transition to the new location. Justin and Vintage Speedsters of Scottsdale AZ. files for bankruptcy a year or two ago. Many customers lose deposits.
Enter Greg, Kirk’s protégé and owner of the newly renamed Vintage Motorcars (formerly Vintage Spyders). Greg re-leased and refurbished the old Vintage Speedsters factory. More importantly, he rehired all the original Vintage Speedster employees. Vintage Motorcars is in a facility that has been building Speedsters for nearly 30 years. The old crew is back together with combined centuries of experience.
says this "replica was custom-built for West Coast Vintage Motor Cars in 2022" NOT "by".
As you mention, "Perhaps the owner can comment??" or PCAR? Hmmmm, no photo of the manufacturers ID plate is available.
Beautiful Spyder Replica!!
Its somewhat unusual that these replicas to have drum brakes on all 4 corners. I may be mistaken but Vintage motorcars almost always put disk brakes on all 4 wheels or at least the front wheels. Perhaps the owner can comment??
Bid in the amount of $15,750
Bid in the amount of $15,500
Bid in the amount of $11,000
Good Afternoon Everyone, I was able to take the Porsche 550 outside today to enjoy this nice sunny weather we have here in San Diego. Boy this car brings a smile from ear to ear every time I drive it! I uploaded some Cold Start-up Videos and Driving Videos from today. Let me know if I can take any additional photos or videos?
@WRENCH.56 Thank you for your comments, I have always had an eye for detail. Unfortunately I had to contract a photographer, my photo taking skills are not the best. Hints the start-up/driving videos.
To your question about the front vent recesses yes they can easily be modified and retouched by the new owner. I believe there are several aftermarket vents you can purchase.
@jab7106 I located the Tire Date Codes (11/20). All gauges are fully functional, I have uploaded some start-up and driving videos that show the gauges. No Tonneau Cover however one can easily be installed by the new owner.
Hi, do you have the paperwork? It would be helpful to load the build sheet from Vintage, so we have some info on the engine, suspension, exhaust specs. I am hoping the 1600 has been worked on. A photo of the West Coast Vintage Motor Cars tag showing the build number will be useful.
It's a beautiful color and appears to be very well detailed. You are also to be commended for such a good job of photographing every single detail.There are only a couple of things that bug me (in a very minor way).
Can the front vent recesses be cut open and retouched by the next owner? Those slots on the original 550 were for brake cooling.
A few of the gaskets/seals are a bit worn and cracked. The worst of it seems to be a tail light seal. Not a biggie as I assume one can merely remove that and install a fresh gasket or rubber seal.
These things are street legal Go-Karts and wicked fun. I hate to say it, but the paint is so beautiful that I myself would be damn near afraid to drive it!
What are the date codes on the tires?
Do all the gauges and electricals work as they should?
Does the car come with a tonneau cover?
@Damaho912 THANK YOU! ;)
@americanworkmule Good Afternoon, I have uploaded some additional photos as requested from under the open front trunk. I don't see any badges. To the best of my knowledge West Coast Vintage Motor Cars are based out of San Diego, CA and has presence in Los Angeles, CA I think.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
Bid in the amount of $10,550
@Grbrblue , can you share images of the opened front trunk? are there any Manufacturer Builder ID badges? Where is West Coast Vintage Motor Cars?
Bid in the amount of $7,775
Hi Pcarmarket community and fellow enthusiast. Let me know if I can answer any questions on this beautiful 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder. I will have some driving videos posted in the next 24/48 hours. Thanks for sharing the passion and looking at this beautiful example.
Bid in the amount of $5,550
Wow, have never seen one of these that was NOT silver. This is gorgeous!