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http://www.excellence-mag.com/...?page=1#.UdoUjflJOAg

 

 

A great read.

 

Something to dream about and some nice insight into Speedster history.

 

How the factory updated an original Speedster for a wealthy client when cost was no issue.

 

 

WisdorfSpeedster

 

 

 

WisdorfSide

 

 

 

WisdorfEngine

 

 

WisdorfInterior

 

Attachments

Images (4)
  • WisdorfSpeedster
  • WisdorfSide
  • WisdorfEngine
  • WisdorfInterior
Original Post

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I think that's a breathed-on Type IV currently in the car. The author explains the car was rebuilt at the factory with a four-cam, but at some point the owner was disappointed with the low-end torque so put in a breathed-on type IV which he found better for the street. So, the current owner still has the four-cam on a shelf somewhere. I guess everyone needs a spare.

 

I think I would build a shrine around the four-cam and charge people just to touch it. I'd have to think of some way to pay for those wheels.

 

 

Originally Posted by Lane Anderson - Mt. Pleasant, SC:

Nice car, but I stopped reading when the author called a replica a "little plastic bastard".

 

Technically, the author's right.

 

But it's why he hates Speedster replicas and why some of us love them.

 

As SternART points out, the irony is that this car is a replica, too. And some of the car's owners have actually felt a little shamed by that over the years.

 

Sheesh, for just a little more than what this car cost, they could have had an IM.

 

 

 

 

Terry, yes and no.

 

The car was finished two weeks ago, about four weeks after we placed our order, about six months after I started seriously looking, and about a year and a half after I found out what a replica is.

 

But we're having it shipped up from LA. We went down to check it out last week, but it still hasn't been shipped. Once it leaves LA, we need to be available to meet the truck about eight hours later, so our lives are sort of on hold until then.

 

I guess no matter how you do it, getting a Speedster is always about The Wait.

 

I don't know if it's fair to say Porsche did anything wrong at all, other than offering them on street cars.  The 4 cam was designed for the track, where low end only happened once: at the starting line.  They are beautiful engines, but not worth much on a daily driver in the States, especially in the 50's and 60's.  Street driving was almost a guarantee of death for these high revvers.  Porsche told drivers not to go above 6500, and the engines grenaded if driven very much at 2500.  Not practical at all for dd's.  That's why most of the 4 cams  were put on a shelf somewhere when they grenaded and were replaced with streetable push rod engines.  Of course, this was long ecu's and before variable valve timing which changes how power is derived at various rpm's.  They could be oil burners, especially at startup.  

 

In some ways, they are emblematic of Speedsters themselves.  Our replicas are able to retain the beautiful lines of the marque, but far surpass Porsche's abilities of the era insofar as handling, accelleration,  and stopping are concerned.  My Subi coupe is quicker and faster, outmaneuvers the original, stops better, is much more comfortable, and is far safer.  No comparison as an investment, but I plan to drive it, not sell it. 

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