I'm new and not sure how to answer the nice folks that talk to me every time I get out of my VS speedster at the gas station, parking lot, etc.
I end up giving a longish answer to a simple question like "what year is it?" How do you answer simple questions like:
1) What year is it?
2) What kind of car is it?
3) Is it real?
4) (any others I haven't heard yet?)
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I've been saying something like the following to nearly every question:
"It's a '64 VW rebuilt in 2006 as a tribute to a 1956 Porsche 356 Speedster"
But that's a confusing mouthful.
If the conversation continues I give them one of Kirk's cards from VS.
What do you do?
TMI
Just say its "5_" and only answer if they ask more questions.
How do you answer "what is it?"
Just, "it's a speedster"?
It depends on who is asking and how much time I have. If someone that doesn't appear knowledgeable asks and I don't have time to explain what a replica is (like when you're at a stop light), I just say "It's a '57 Porsche." Otherwise I'll say "It's a 2006 recreation of a '57 Porsche Speedster." If they are familiar with the replica world I'll tell them it's a Beck, which most seem to have heard of.
Stoplight/underway: " '52" or " '52 MG"
Walking/parked (in normal life): "A replica of a 1952 MG TD."
Parked/sitting at car show or cruise: "It's about 50 percent 1969 VW by weight. 25 percent 1980 British Coach Works Model 52, 20 percent 1995 Subaru Legacy and 5 percent MG."
1) What year is it?
1957
2) What kind of car is it?
Speedster
3) Is it real?
Well, I'm driving it 
and it feels real to me!
4) (any others I haven't heard yet?
"Is that a Karmann Gia, my sister had 2. A yellow and a red, I think."
them me
What is it? '57 Speedster (most have seen the Porsche script on it)
Is it real? You're looking at it aren't you?
Wow, it's beautiful! Thanks
I tell them mine is an Intermeccanica, and that's enough to confuse them. 
I don't feel guilty at all when I tell anyone that I'm driving a 1965 Cobra. 
Ryan in CA posted:I'm new and not sure how to answer the nice folks that talk to me every time I get out of my VS speedster at the gas station, parking lot, etc.
I end up giving a longish answer to a simple question like "what year is it?" How do you answer simple questions like:
1) What year is it?
2) What kind of car is it?
3) Is it real?
4) (any others I haven't heard yet?)
Stop Light Car Show/Parking Lot
What year is it? 57' It represents a 1957
What kind of car is it? Speedster Fiberglass reproduction of a Porsche
Speedster
Is it real? I'm driving it It's not an original car but yet it is better in
so many ways.
For me it is all about how much time I have or whether or not the person asking seems to be a car guy/gal. If I'm out having dinner or something with my wife the answers are short but not rude. If I'm hanging out or waiting and they seem interested the conversation is much more in depth.
For me it depends. Most people ask what year it is. I usually just say '57.
If I have more time, I might say it's a replica of a 1957 Porsche. Then if they person appears half way intelligent, or even knowledgeable, then I proceed to discuss in detail. I had one tell me he wanted an Intermeccanica... So we had a great conversation
It's a Volkswagon that's in the FBI Witness Protection Program.
FAQ while driving the Speedster;
1. Viewer = "Beautiful car"! Musbjim = "Thanks! Its a replica of a '56 Porsche"!
2. Viewer = "Is it real"? Musbjim = "Nope, replica".
3. Viewer = "Is it a kit car"? Musbjim = "Nope. It was custom built and I bought it as you see it"
At Cars & Coffee or any car events I place this placard on the dash. 
If queried "Why a replica"?
Musbjim = "Its kinda like breast implants. EVERYBODY knows they're fake, yet they're still nice to look at and WAAAAY more fun than the originals".
"It's not an original car but yet it is better in so many ways."
What a great response, Robert! I'll have to remember that one...
MusbJim posted:Musbjim = "Its kinda like breast implants. EVERYBODY knows they're fake, yet they're still nice to look at and WAAAAY more fun than the originals".
LOL! Like Mickey Mouse...he's not real but everyone loves him!
So true Jim. I saw a set the other day. No way was she from this world but damn! Probably had bug bites as a pup.
It's a 1944 Hoss and it's going in the shop Friday for a right rear ball joint. Oh, you meant the car. It's a '57 Porsche Cabriolet recreation, it's quite fast and definitely real. See you on the Dragon. I'll meet you in Deal's Gap; I should be on my second latte by the time you arrive....if you do.
My response, "Its a 2007."
When I get a confused look back. I clarify, "It's a custom built Beck Speedster. It looks like and old Porsche but is faster, has seat heaters & bluetooth, and I can drive it whenever I want without feeling guilty."
I'm a bit surprised at the range of questions on this thread.
I usually get just "What year is your car?" To which I answer, "1957"
That seems to answer 99.9% of the askers. And it's not like there are a lot of 356's running around here.
If they persist, then I get into the "Custom Car" thing and about how I built the car and that usually satisfies most people. I never use the term "Kit Car" (even if they ask) because, after all, nothing fit when I built the damn thing so it became a "Custom Car" in my eyes, just like a custom Hot Rod.
I know.....All this amounts to "Mice Nuts" (they're pretty small) but that's my story and I'm stickin to it.
Beyond about 30 feet, even Real Porsche owners can't tell a real from a replica, so how will "Joe the Plummer" in America, most of whom think they're looking at a VW Karmann Ghia??
And I NEVER mis-represent my car as the real thing at a show. I usually decline the offer to be judged unless it is a "spectator" ballot, and I always place a sheet on the windshield when at a show, clearly stating that it is a replica. Honest is as honest does.
1) "1958"
2) "It's a speedster"
3) "It's a replica"
4) "Sure, it's a Karmann Ghia, and it's cool you used to have one"
Really, people are just trying to make conversation so they can scope it out a bit longer. Imagine what it'd be like to be a pretty girl...
Stan Galat, '05 IM, 2276, Nowhere, USA posted:1) "1958"
2) "It's a speedster"
3) "It's a replica"
4) "Sure, it's a Karmann Ghia, and it's cool you used to have one"
Really, people are just trying to make conversation so they can scope it out a bit longer. Imagine what it'd be like to be a pretty girl...
"Imagine what it'd be like to be a pretty girl..."
If I was single the answer would be, "Why don't we talk about it while I'm taking you out to dinner?" But I'm not so I have to answer the same as all the rest.
For me, like others, it depends on the attitude of who the question comes from and how much time I have on hand.
Year ? 57. I bet you've had it for a long time....nope, only 6 years. Drive it much ? Yup..55,000 odd miles since then. What HP ? No idea. Sure looks nice....thanks.
Now, if I sense the questions come from someone with car smarts and I've got the time, I'll ask them if they know anything about motors. If they're keen, I'll show them the Frankenmotor and explain how it developed and more about the car being a replica.
One thing I'm particularly proud of is when I was shopping for a retirement home for my Mother a few years back. It was summer and I was driving the Speedster up to Prince of Wales Manor in Ottawa. Pulling in, there was a very attractive, about 75 year old gal sitting in a walker outside taking the air. I parked just near her and shut off the engine and started to the door to check the place out. She said, "nice car...my husband used to have one" in a pretty thick European accent. She was a quick whit. She said "I hope you like the place and move in soon", jokingly ! I said that I was just shopping for my Mother. I turned to her and offered a short ride if she'd tell me about riding with her husband. We checked her out of place and with the help of an assistant we got her into the seat with a promise to be back in ten minutes. We arrived back about 25 minutes later with three steaming ladies awaiting us at the front door. I got the most of it but she put them in their place and blew me a kiss. Made my day.
Great story David !
Interesting topic because these questions happen to us all---all the time.
"What is it?" If at a light I simply say "1957 Porsche Speedster" If a knowledgeable car guy asks and we have time I'll say "reproduction of a '57 Speedster"
Is it Real?" Mostly I'll simply say "they're making them again in a factory in Hawaiian Garden, CA.
I dislike the term "Kit Car" and always correct that term whenever it is used.
Last, I do put my car in car shows and have won a garage full of trophies including some "best of show" trophies. I put a framed sheet in the window clearly noting that it is a reproduction made by Vintage Speedsters 9 years ago, and listing the car's specs.
I have never been insulted or questioned about my car in a snide or condescending manner either at a light, a gas station or a car show.
That's my pov and how I handle these questions.
If I get quizzed as to the who what where when how & why, I am polite and give them the basics .... "It's a reproduction of a '55 Porsche Speedster" . On occasion I get further banter " Did you build it yourself "? " I did, it's a hobby and I am on my 40th something build in 19 years" ... I can see it in their eyes " Yeah right" ....Makes me smirk, as if I where to sit and name all the various resto's and builds I would be well past 55 and counting .
My fav is from some dim whit that is trying to impress hi wife........"Oh, I know what THAT is, it's a Karmen Ghia "
"
No one ever thinks mine is a Karmann Ghia. I think I'll start telling them it is one. A very early variant.
We were in a parade earlier this summer - worst thing ever by the way as idling in first gear with my foot on the clutch for the better part of an hour and a half got the engine hot enough to conk out twice and smoke a little. All my gauges were wonky until I got it out on the highway for a two hour run at 70mph, then everything clicked back into place. But I digress - We (my wife and I) were in the parade with our local car club, the crowd cheering and waving and this guy yells out in front of a crowd of about 600 people "Is it real?" My wife, the quick witted one out of the two of us doesn't miss a beat and yells back "Do you think it is?" It shut him up and we coasted past and outta there at about 5mph with our dignity intact.
But I have to agree with everyone above. When I am at a car show I let everyone know its a replica. And I do not think I have ever once had anyone turn their nose up and back away dismissively at knowing it is not the real thing. Most people are delighted and "oo" and "ah" over it. I get a lot of "it's so pretty" or "it's so cute", "just beautiful", which is a bit damaging to my manhood but I am okay with it. I also get some great stories by older guys. At the Oak Bay Car Festival in Victoria, BC this summer I met one old guy well into his late eighties, who told me about being stationed over in Germany and in 1953 bought a 356. He and his buddies would race it up and down the airfield. The delight he had in recalling the tale was great and I have not enjoyed a conversation as much in a long time. The military shipped it back home for him for free, so he said he drove it till it wouldn't drive no more. He walked away with such a look of pleasure in his eyes it almost brought me to tears. But I managed to maintain my manhood/composure.
People love to see these cars because you just don't see them all that often. I attended four car shows this year. Each show had plenty of American muscle, lots of MG's, a few classic Jaguars, the occasional old Corvette but never any other 356's. Gotta have pride.
Chris, great story! By the way, you can lose your composure and still keep your manhood, thought you should know. The shortest verse in the Bible proves it:
"Jesus wept." John 11:35
MusbJim posted:
Musbjim = "Its kinda like breast implants. EVERYBODY knows they're fake, yet they're still nice to look at and WAAAAY more fun than the originals".
GREAT comparison Jim, I love it.
You can always take the more politically correct route.
It's a 1965 VW that "self identifies" as a 1955 Speedster.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
It's what every great VolksWagon someday aspires to become....
Its a glorified beetle :->
It CAN use the Porsche repair shop but it chooses not to...
I was at the beach the other day and got the "thats a beautful car, do you mind if I take a few pictures?" I said thanks and sure. I also offered to take a shot of him in it if he wanted. Another older gentleman pulled up with his wife and said he owned a few cabs years ago and loved them. Of course his wife had to add "...and look what he drives now...." (smal SUV thing). Usually I try to just drive so no questions are asked but when they are answer politely 'thanks' and say 'its a lot of fun' and keep moving.
Peter- you forgot to tell him it makes more power than any old Porsche engine ever did...
Peter has a frenemy.
I always liked Cory Drake's rap. He'd tell people that is Hoopty was a "1957 Beetle SS."
