Replicars

So a while back I had an issue of Car and Driver or Automobile or something and I saw an ad for Porsche 356 Replicars from JPS Motorsports in California. I decided to look into it for the fun of it seeing that I have always wanted a 356 Coupe and I will never own a real one.

It seems that they only build Turnkey cars and everything is brand new except the suspension and a modified VW Beetle floor pan, those are reconditioned and rebuilt with new components.

I have never been one for kit cars, but for some reason I fancy these particular ones from JPS.

The only thing I don't really care for is the price, which for a Coupe is $25k. It kind of makes sense especially since it is virtually a new car with a warranty, but then it doesn't make sense since its pretty much a VW Beetle with a different body.

Maybe in the future I can consider trying to find a kit I can build myself that would be a cheaper alternative, but I still like the thought of someone else building the car.

I think part of the fun is the DIY part

Have you looked into beckspeedster or Vintagespeedsters? IIRC one of them sells their kits in phases.

thunderzy wrote: Have you looked into beckspeedster or Vintagespeedsters? IIRC one of them sells their kits in phases.

Yes and they only have Speedsters. I am looking at the Coupe. JPS is the only ones so far that has a Coupe.

I thought I remembered seeing a coupe built by someone else but I don't recall the name - I suppose you could check out the ads in the kit car magazines to see if something turns up.

The car pictured above looks very nice (although the underdash a/c is kind of clunky), I like the idea of a coupe as well.

The car above looks very well finished. From that pic, I couldn't pick it from the real deal.

However, I couldn't imagine going to all that bother and then leaving the stock 'Bug engine in place. < edit > looks like they offer a 180hp 'big valve' engine for an extra $2500...not bad.

Also, $25K buys a lot of actual Porsche these days, (albeit not an early 356 as nice as that).

The Beck Speedster is currently out of production, IIRC. He is selling 904s and bringing Spyders back into production though. Personally, I'll take a spyder.

Also, a decent original 356 Coupe can be had for about the asking price of that kit.

Hey JPS kit, what is the point of you?

well, one advantage, being a kit, you can park it anywhere and not worry too much about getting an antique destroyed

Maroon92 wrote: "Also, a decent original 356 Coupe can be had for about the asking price of that kit. "

Is that really true? I figured a decent 356 that isn't a Carrera or some other special model would run about twice that.

Also, for $25k, you could pick up any 911 SC out there and have lots of money left over for restoration / improvements. Which seems a lot nicer route vs. a Beetle based replica. But that's just my opinion.

Have you contacted JPS to see if they would sell you a shell? I can't see why they wouldn't. It isn't like they get 1000 orders a week to fill that they can't accommodate a special request.

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

No I haven't, like I said, it's kind of a pipe dream at this moment. If in the future it's a feasable thing, then maybe I'll give them a call.

As for the others suggesting purchasing a real Porsche over a kit, I would rather a replica, mainly because it uses VW parts and those are cheap, Porsche parts are not. I'm looking at this as something that looks old that I don't restore. These are pretty much brand new cars.