Adam Levine's 356A...original? Or recreation?

The exhaust through the bumper risers is correct.  1958 was the only year that had this.  Natalie is the only known replica with this, so I'm thinking original.

I'm no expert, but the exhaust caught my eye as well as a clue to the car's authenticity. It looks right but could have been recreated. I agree that the tonneau looks odd.

 

In any event, I'm going to pass on the hipster haircut. Somehow it just wouldn't work on me.

I saw Adam Levine's 1973 Carrera RS at European Collectibles a few weeks ago...black with red wheels. I'd bet it is real -- he seems to be quite in to Porsches!

I'm guessing original, but it's just that- a guess. As well as the exhaust through the bumpers, there's the torsion bar access cover, which isn't a regular thing on our beasts. And also, if it was plastic, he wouldn't have put a little 15 or 1600 in there... Al

Nice observations. There is not question that it is the real deal. There is no right hand mirror.

 

Could be an IM. Rich guy. Probably original.

It is real...

I forget where I read it, but I heard from the owner prior to Adam that is was indeed real.

 

The Dood is worth more than everyone on this forum combined.  Highly doubt he would be caught in a $25k or $45k fake Porsche.  That would prove rather embarrassing amongst the Hollywood elite.

Christian...I disagree with your first statement. I would put the net worth of this group up against Adam Levine. I do know some facts regarding the demographics of most of the buyers of these adult toys. The businesses  for the mfg. of these fine toys survived the recent depression fairly well. That would indicate the purchasers of the toys did not suffer too badly. These cars are generally purchased with cash. Again an indication of high net worth and lots of disposable income. Having spent a number of years in the musical industry you would be surprised how little of the income they produce actually reaches the artist. Adam is an anomaly because of his contract with the Voice. He is a very smart businessman and has invested well in his image to expand beyond music. 

Well..that didn't take long! Thanks.

 

Just for what it's worth, my IM has the exhaust pipes running through the bumper risers.

Really Christian... you think you might be drawing conclusions without any facts...again.

OK, that's amusing...just realized Phil posted a pic of my car, taken when it was for sale in NY about a year ago.

I should have been more specific.  No known Speedster replicas other than Natalie have exhaust through the bumper risers.  Convertible D's should be through the bumper risers.  Speedsters only in '58.  If you've got an IM Speedster this way I think you're part of a very small club.

Tom.....You might want to do a bit more research.  Exhaust through the bumperettes was a lot more common than you imply - like in lots of years from 1957-1965.  My brother's '59 Speedster had them.  Just as examples, here is a 1962 coupe:  

 

 

 

And here is another from 1957, which happens to be a friend's car:

 

 

 

BTW:  those were dealer installed items.

 

Might not be many Becks, but I bet a few are out there on Replicas.  Don't forget - there are a HUGE number of replicas that are not known to this site.  As for Levine's '58 - Who cares if it's real or a replica?  He's driving it and having fun - that's all that counts.

 

Oh, and Christian:  You need to do some research, too.  And do you want some help to get your foot dislodged from your mouth??

All true, but on the SPEEDSTER only 1958.

The Speedster was replaced by the convertible D in August of 1958.  There were a few 1959 Carrera Speedsters in 1959, but they would have had single exhaust.  1958 is the only year the Speedster had exhaust through the bumper risers.

That may be true.  I'm checking it out with my original Porsche friends and historians, just to get a second opinion.

 

My late brother's '57 Speedster was a 1500 normal, not a Carrera, but, in 1965 when it first showed up in our garage, it had already gone through a few "improvements", mostly in the handling department, not usually in exterior "bling".  

 

I've asked the TYP356NE club technical guru to weigh in on this and will report back (he drives a pristine 1955 original Speedster - Pearl's 'poor cousin', if you will).  If anybody knows, he will.

 

Also, don't forget that Max Hoffman always had cars in the pipeline, so to speak, and there is  a bit of overlap in years versus models sold - meaning that there were Speedsters sold in 1959 as '59 Speedsters, as well as Convertible "D" models in 1958 and 1959 before they were replaced by the "Roadster".  As far as I know from researching my brother's car, there were 47 Speedsters imported/sold in the US in 1959.  As you might imagine, it's harder to tell if they were already here, or actually arrived here in 1959.  PLUS, you don't know what options were dealer installed (lots) versus factory installed (few).

I think this question is fair:  If the guy has money why wouldn't it be real deal? How many of us, if given the correct amount of disposable income, wouldn't own the real thing (and maybe a replica for fun if it looks like rain)?  I'd have one on my list for sure....

Recent issues of "356 Registry" have several articles about Max Hoffman, and his impact on the Porsche in the US. And the heritage of such.

One reason is that the "real thing" couldn't hold a candle to the better Speedster replicas on this board.  the improvements are vast: Much more power and 4 wheel discs too name two, plus steel belted radial handling for another.

 

  I'd like to see an original metal one keep up with the Southeast caravan on the way to Carlisle.  

 

If we're talking collector value that's one thing but if we're talking performance a 1600 Super should stay off the interstates. 

Amen to that Jack, couldn't agree more

If any of us had Adams money, we wouldn't be driving fiberglass replica's, let's be honest.

 

Unless of course you already have an original and you also have a replica to beat on instead (which I am aware some of the members here do).

 

THOSE members aside, if you only have a fiberglass speedster, 99% chance you aren't worth 50million.

 

Interesting how talk of worth brings out our true colors.  Don't get so uppity, it's ok to have less money than your neighbor.

I am sorry Christian but we are just from different planets. It is NOT OK for me to have less money than my neighbor. Of course many do have more. I always want more money, we all do. What is the hell is the point of working so hard if you do not enjoy the fruits of your labor. I have a friend that has a perfect original with very few miles. It looks like it rolled of the line yesterday. He is worth more money that many countries. However he does not drive his Speedster. Any damage whatsoever would ruin the car both monetarily and it's future as a work of art. His main collection of Porsches consists of vintage 911s. If you had the ability to get that kind of serious net worth odds are you would be very smart. I respect Adam Levine, but driving that car is not what wealthy smart people do. When was the last time you saw an authentic Speedster on the road? Adam is a lot of show, but not a lot of dough.

 

The word on the street is that Adam is jealous of my one off 356 outlaw wheels.  

 

 

I lot of very wealthy people drive their VERY expensive classic cars on a regular basis.  Heck, A bunch of them race their $500,000+ cars in classic races-and some crash.

 

What Ron says is true.  I see it in another car group I belong to in north Chicago suburbs.  It is more rare though;  the ones I do see are dedicated driver classics.  The A-1 show quality cars are sitting in the garage or in a collection somewhere.

Christian:

 

You just keep digging bigger holes.

 

I would venture a guess that you know little to nothing about the vast majority of the people on this site. That includes their financial situations, their view of the world or anything else.

 

Yet you draw these broad brush conclusions and make statements and declarations about the folks here. Do you have the slightest idea how sophomoric you come across?

 

We are all individuals with one (maybe more, maybe not) interest(s) that cause us to participate on the forum. Why not leave it at that?

I'm going to get some popcorn and a beer, 'cause you guys are hilarious (and it's not even noon here). This is turning into a classic Samba "discussion"- there's a good one right now about whether 94's run hotter than 90.5's. It's already been cleaned up once, but they're still going at it...

 

And btw, Marty; EVERYBODY'S JEALOUS OF YOUR ONE OFF OUTLAW WHEELS!

This is getting to be very funny. Yes very rich people do drive and race expensive cars. What was not noted is these are NOT original cars. They are restorations of in the case of racing, they are RACE cars. For any sanctioned racing the cars have to be severely modified to meet the strict safety standards. Roll bars, reinforced cages, suspension, brakes, etc. I have driven these cars (not raced) on the track and if you were to actually get close you would see they are quarter mile cars. They look somewhat original from the stands or a quarter mile like some of my old girlfriends. My friends 911s are mostly a stable of race cars not collectables. He keeps several because gentlemen racing is for rich gentlemen and they are far from gentlemen. How in the hell do you think they got where they are. This is America and nice guys do finish last. The golden rule always applies. He with gold makes the rules. Get over it and buy Subaru or whatever you types drive these days.

 

 

Marty no only am I jealous of your Outlaw Wheels I want to know where I can get a set. 

 

Damn, I ran out of popcorn!

Just as well...I think the bell for the last round as sounded.

 

Marty, I've got your wheels!...well, almost

I did the best I could on my budget and wound up with only ten perimeter holes instead of your dramatic abundance of holes.

 

BUT, I've got twenty little black button fake rivets...hee hee hee!

  

Im worth $117,000,000 and I am jealous of Marty's wheels...made all my money selling my replica speedsters.

Pretty sure it is real,I think I see the OEM rear jacking point on the first pic,and the brakedrums look real since the front one also has a real dustcap on the drum with its distinctive bulge. I would say real,plus the windshield surround looks chrome (real)not aluminium mate!

My two cents is 'real' too...

Because edge highlights on the wheel wells aren't 'Fiberglass thick'

 

Who is this guy anyway?

Am I that far removed from mainstream awareness that I have no idea who the hell he is?...I guess so.

Carl;

 

You haven't the watch "The Voice"?  It's a better version of American Idol.

 

 

Jeeeez, Carl, you've got move like Jagger, you've only heard the song a gazillion times, you just didn't realize it was music made by someone so famous.

I haven't paid much attention to 'musical celebrities' since Fats Domino and the Everly Brothers left the scene.

You make me laugh, Carl!

Adam Levine is the lead singer and leader of Maroon Five. They are a very successful indie rock act. They have managed to go mainstream and enjoyed the recognition that goes with that. Their show here at Lake Tahoe last year sold out in minutes. Unlike most musicians ( I was in the business once upon a time) Adam Levine knows how to cross promote himself and has garnered quite a following from The Voice. He is also a smart business person, probably because he is Jewish. I suspect he has control of his music and writing. That makes all the difference in the music world. For example Paul McCartney just regained control of his publishing rights from the estate of Michael Jackson. If you write a successful piece of music that revenue stream will continue until it becomes public domain. I get a few cents a year for a piece of music I wrote many years ago. Whenever it is played commercially I get a check. It was not a hit! Adam has the money to drive a real Speedster, that does not make him smart. His Jewish heritage must be by marriage. LOL

 

Never heard of him and who gives a ****!  Enjoy your cars, not the ones the other guy is driving.