550 spyder race cars, why raw aluminium interior?

Probably have to ask a guy who owns one but my guess is that a lot of the cars had their interior trim stripped out soon after they were delivered and a lot of collectors like them restored or maintained “as-raced” in period.

To make it easy for the public to figure out that it isn't a fiberglass "kit car"?

To raise the bar for the reproduction guys attempting to create a 'spot-on, total authentic replica'? - "Lets see them try to copy the look of bare aluminum in their fiberglass!"

The hierarchy in car circles, from Deuce bodies to Auburn Speedsters to Cobras: metal trumps glass every time, leading to how some guys with fiberglass cars try to fake 'rust patina' into the paint - to make you think it IS metal, and bring their 'authenticity' up a notch?

You gotta admit the oval holes in the rocker panels and the rivet heads do add a certain je ne sai quoi.

Hmm, let's see. That replica in the video: Karmann Ghia license light, "humpback" over-arched rear fenders, wrong gas filler placement, black wiper arms, glass windshield(arched from Speedster, not flat across the cowl), and non-setback firewall behind the seats. All 100% replica.

I would think raw aluminum is lighter, and isn't that really the point in a race car? Lighter is faster.

I did not weigh my vinyl but I’d estimate it’s 5 pounds worth.

@americanworkmule posted:

Does anyone have race car knowledge why some 550 Spyders have raw aluminium interior nowadays?
I understand, none of the originals were delivered this way. Is there a reason to have it that way now?

You're darned right. Nobody needs raw aluminum in their cars.

Or manual transmissions. Or retro gauges. Or uncomfortable seats. Or wide-5s. Or racy engines. As a matter of fact, nobody really needs a Speedster or Spyder at all - a 1999 Geo Metro with a slush-box and a wind-up key on the hatchback would probably be sufficient for anybody's needs.

Good thing nobody's making you put that aluminum in your car.

@Stan Galat posted:

You're darned right. Nobody needs raw aluminum in their cars.

Or manual transmissions. Or retro gauges. Or uncomfortable seats. Or wide-5s. Or racy engines. As a matter of fact, nobody really needs a Speedster or Spyder at all - a 1999 Geo Metro with a slush-box and a wind-up key on the hatchback would probably be sufficient for anybody's needs.

Good thing nobody's making you put that aluminum in your car.

Yep. That must be it. I’m just slow. The village idiot, actually.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Mule.

@edsnova posted:

Probably have to ask a guy who owns one but my guess is that a lot of the cars had their interior trim stripped out soon after they were delivered and a lot of collectors like them restored or maintained “as-raced” in period.

Well, I was trying to involve the group especially individuals that had racing knowledge.
But it seems like a few GateKeepers on here want to monopolize the conversations

Please share!