550 spyders built in Indiana

Does any one know where I can get one of the first 182 spyders that were built in Indiana from 1978-1982... I saw one at the 1979 Chicago Auto Show and they were perfectly done with 356 and 912 motors... I would like to find one

This is interesting, and the first I've heard of such a vehicle.

Do you know who manufactured the cars???

Check the classified section at www.spyderclub.com - someone was selling a Beck built in the 80s with Porsche running gear just a week or two ago.

actually this is the link I was thinking of ...

www.griotsgarage.com/rsale.jsp

half way down the page.

Mike, I remember that car, but I didn't know that the early cars were built exclusively with Porsche engines?????

they weren't - nor were they built in Indiana. I haven't ever come across a refernce to an Indiana kit manufacturer of 550s in the time frame listed. Matbe give kitcars magazine a holler - they have been around a while - maybe they will know.

This Griots car was the only one that I have seen with as much Porsche parts on it.

Mike

I have never heard of an Indiana manufacturer.
-=theron

I've seen a couple early Becks built with 356/912 motors and 356 brakes. The precursor to European Car and also in Kit Car Mag had the articles in the mid 80's, I don't think Beck even sold turnkeys back then. No brake ducts or oil cooler cutouts then either.

Thanks Guys... I will talk to you all later about this topic....

i have an old ad from classic motors international [mishawaka indiana]i suspect around 1979. they claimed to make a 550 with a 356 or 912 engine/transmission,356 torsion bar/linkpin front end, 356b drums,correct frame detail at the rear,83" wheelbase, and what appears to be a correct tail shape.....they also claimed a limited production of 200 cars..check with the guy at fibersteel..he seems to know quite a bit about them.....i would also think the actual number built was pretty low..good luck!

I also had seen the classic motors int. replica and spent some time talking with the salesman even though I didn't have the money for it. The cars featured aluminum body work,& steel tube chassis faithful to drawings given from Porsche factory, quad cam motors or 2 liter 914 types, dont remember what tranies, but they were turnkey replicas not kits built in Indiana. I'm not sure but I thought I saw it in 1977s' Chicago auto show.