BSC Spyder?

I'm a brand new member - joined just minutes ago. I'm no newcomer to vintage Porsches (or VW's for that matter), I own and have owned many over the years. 356's are one thing - pricey, but still within my budget (I currently own a '64 356 Cabriolet), but the same cannot be said for a genuine Spyder. Plus, you'd have to be a real risk-taker to actually drive the real thing given their current value.

In any case, I've decided to buy a 550 replicar and just wanted to see what members of this club think and/or know about the Boulder Speedster Company's Spyder. I'm sure there are some previous threads on this site with lots of info, so I'll have to do some digging, but in the meantime any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Btw, I live in Los Angeles (I'm an English expatriate) and have also considered buying from Automotive Legends in Malibu (they sell the Beck 550). Again, I'll probably have to do some digging. This is new territory for me.

Cheers,
Richard Preston

Richard, welcome to the site. You may want to click on the "makers" tab at the top and run searches of those names on this site and also Spyderclub.com. You will gain a wealth of information from the experiences of other members.

As many will tell you buying a slightly used, sorted-out, LEGALLY registered California car will make you much happier from the start.

Thanks for the warm welcome and advice - I appreciate it. Thanks for the link John - unfortunately I can't access it no matter what I do (I'm computer savvy but I've tried everything - could be a Mac issue). In any case, I'll keep my eyes on the used market (eBay, et cetera) but I think I might also contact Beck directly. Hopefully I'll find myself in a sporty 550 soon. And yes, I've heard that registration can be an issue, so I will keep that in mind as well.

Btw, I had a look at the Prestige aluminium bodied model - very impressive and very enticing!

Preston,

you won't go very far trying to contact Beck directly. He sold the rights to the name several years ago to a group in TX (if i remember correctly) and it has since gone through some issues and there has been a reorganization of distribution (car is manufactured in Brazil and manufacturer has made attempts to import to US through a variety of channels). I'm sure there are posts on this or the spyderclub.com site reagrding all the srodid details.

There are a couple other manufacturers: Thunder Ranch and Vintage and others which you can research as well.

good luck and welcome to da club!

Stay away from resellers. Buy directly from the manufacturers. This is one person's experience on the Speedster side:

https://www.speedsterowners.com/forum/readmsg.asp?t=8345

Richard,
Use your login at https://www.speedsterowners.com and then click the link.
-=theron

Thanks Lance and Theron. I had already tried the speedsterowners.com "entrance", but to no avail. In the end I tried another method and was finally able to access the thread regarding BSC. I think I will definitely steer clear of that company.

I also read a translated message from the Brazilian president of Chamonix regarding the termination of their U.S. distribution deal. Hmm, so Chuck Beck is retired and now Special Edition uses the Beck name? And, a company like BSC is also claiming to be a Beck builder? I think I need to re-read some of this info - it's all a bit confusing. I've got a headache. ;o)

Are/were most of the 550 bodies produced in Brazil? Or are some of them made in the U.S.? I know I want to go with the stiffest/strongest tubular frame, but I'm wondering if all or most of the builders are essentially getting the bodies from the same place - in which case I'd imagine that it would just come down to me choosing the company/builder with which I felt most comfortable (and which had the best feedback).

I'm still being educated and appreciate all of the info/advice so far.

there's also some rumbling that Chuck Beck is "un-retiring" and will be a reseller for the Beck Spyder - from the 'other site' - RickJ

Thanks Richard (RickJ). Another spyderowner club member was kind enough to contact me and give me some info about those "rumblings". I'm still giving thought to buying a used Spyder that's already been registered here in California as I've been told that the DMV is making it increasingly difficult to properly register, and therefore insure, replicars here. (Coincidentally, I read the thread that you started regarding your DMV difficulties - or the difficulties you would have had if you had purchased an out of state Spyder. And, a friend of mine had great difficulties with his Speedster replicar.) If, however, I decide to buy a new one it seems it would make sense to go directly to the man himself, Chuck Beck. Hmm, I wonder what the "other" website is - Special Edition?

Richard,

Maybe I can shed some light (or confuse things more, we'll see) ;-)

The assume the "other" site is spyderclub.

I know how confusing the name stuff is... sometimes I'm confused and I'm on the inside... LOL

Our factory (Chamonix) has been building spyders and speedsters for 20+ years, sold in the US under the Beck name, and only supplied to the people set up by Chuck, my father, or myself. The other manufacturers have their own suppliers for frames and bodies. I'm certain this has been covered in past threads, and if not I'm sure that Vintage and TR owners can ellaborate on this.

Plus, there will be some more changes coming very soon. Actually the changes have been made, just not the announcement.

Also, we recently sent Chuck 9 spyders, and he will be playing with them in his "retirement". He said that so many people approach him about the spyder at the track(s), he'd like to have a few around. He has always had the ability to do this, just not the desire... He must be getting bored again.

BSC bought our kits once upon a time, and as I understand it, they still have a few kicking around, but are trying to make their own. They are no longer affiliated with the Beck/Chamonix name.

As for cars in CA, one of Chuck's former drivers (Eric Noble) has a new spyder for sale in the Orange area. It is registered (PROPERLY!!!!) and has SB100 exemption. If you have any interest, contact Kevin for details (kevin AT beckspeedster.com) and he can put you in touch with Eric.

Best regards

Carey

Richard, I have Beck Speedtser from the good folks at Special Edition, and I spent some time at this year's Carlisle show talking to Chuck. The Special Edition folks sell his design manufactured by Chamonix. This is the granddaddy of all 550 replicas. I wholeheartedly recommend doing business with these folks.

Thanks for the info Carey. Thanks also for the tip about the Spyder in the O.C. I'll contact Kevin this week.

Your name and your posts pop up frequently in the old threads I've been scouring this week. By the sound of it all you're a well-respected and reputable fellow. I wish I could buy a new Spyder from your company, but the registration process here in California makes that a less desirable option than buying a used one. Bloody DMV! ;o)

Incidentally, I saw a photo of the 9 Spyders that you recently sent to Chuck Beck. It seems that despite his best efforts to retire he is still inextricably linked to these cars. Not such a bad fate really - he should just come to terms with the fact that he was put on this earth to champion and oversee the continued existence of the Spyder.

Richard I live in the LA area, have a Vintage Spyder and don't mind spending time answering the questions you may have. Want to come by and see the car and then ask your questions that's ok too. My e-mail is dempwolf@pacbell.net