Just tell them they are seeing things, no car there, it is a pigment of their infatuation.
@Sacto Mitch, I was explaining to my neighbor, on Sunday, your same comment in reference to how the original Porsches borrowed from the VW parts bins. I said it's not so dissimilar from Elon Musk's relationship with Lotus when he rolled out the first Tesla Roadster.
I've only owned my Speedster for 6 months. I find it funny that the comments and questions often vary according to the zip code I'm located in. The more affluent zip codes assume the car is real, and the lesser expensive zip codes automatically assume the car is fake. Then there are those that suggest, it's the Bay Area, so who knows.
At a recent car show I entered surrounding our downtown's park, I was asked by 356 owners why I'm so quick to point out that my car is fake. I told them I don't want to disrespect owners of the real 356's, and to be as "real" as possible. Little did I know, they owned real speedsters. They informed me that to them, real or fake, it's still a beautiful automobile and still a blast to drive. Unfortunately, they felt they are no longer enjoying theirs as the price keeps going up and up; fearing something will happen to the car. They added that they appreciate the replica market. It keeps the awareness of the car out there in the community (as theirs is locked in garages), and maintains the passion. They also added, because the replica market shares some parts, it keeps the aftermarket prices down to a semi-affordable level.
I completely agree with the varying categories or camps of people that speak about the car. And, like others, my responses differ according to these camps and the time I have to chat.
-kevin
I have had my IM6 for about 4 months and despite it NOT being an "ORIGINAL", I cant help but baby it a bit because it is in MINT condition AND a BLACK car which shows every fingerprint. I had the CERAMIC PRO coating done AND I wash it with pH natural soap AND have the proper CHAMOIS to dry AND a freakin BLOWER to "blow off" the residual water.....
I'm almost EMBARRASSED to do it AND to ADMIT to it...I would prefer to NOT be such an ASS about it and will seek "therapy" soon(LOL). It is PLAIN ridiculous.....in any case I feel for the guys with ORIGINALS...i would NOT own one.
A buddy of mine bought a FERRARI DAYTONA SPIDER in 1980 for $175,000 and felt like he got ripped off. Two years later, with under 11,000 miles on it, it was worth 2 MILLION, and he has NOT driven it more than 1,000 miles in the last 35 years. HE IS PLAIN AFRAID to drive it AND he puts OR socks OVER his sneakers(VIRGIN NIKES) when he drives the car. GOODNESS.....
I have trouble rationalizing owning a car I cannot drive with a reasonable amount of peace of mind.
Lane Anderson posted:I have trouble rationalizing owning a car I cannot drive with a reasonable amount of peace of mind.
"REASONABLE" is of course SUBJECTIVE...but I get it..........I think I am on the cusp of reasonable because I do let my PUGS in the car AND there is hair all over the "square weave(LOL)" carpeting. But I will not shampoo the carpets AND the blow dry is where I draw the line....I even let my dog PISS on a FUCH! Can you believe the balls of a dog to PISS ON A FUCH?
He says to himself " F*CK THE FUCH"
Heh, yeah you're (barely) on the right side of "reasonable." So was I for the first couple of years. After about 20k miles I realized that I couldn't let the rock chips, etc., keep me from enjoying the car. It's less stressful now that I'm nearing 50k miles (after 11 years) and the car has developed some genuine patina.
"A buddy of mine bought a FERRARI DAYTONA SPIDER in 1980 for $175,000 and felt like he got ripped off. Two years later, with under 11,000 miles on it, it was worth 2 MILLION, and he has NOT driven it more than 1,000 miles in the last 35 years. HE IS PLAIN AFRAID to drive it AND he puts OR socks OVER his sneakers(VIRGIN NIKES) when he drives the car. GOODNESS....."
What he did not tell you is that he has a mat in the garage where he prostrates himself before the car 
...
Lane Anderson posted:Heh, yeah you're (barely) on the right side of "reasonable." So was I for the first couple of years. After about 20k miles I realized that I couldn't let the rock chips, etc., keep me from enjoying the car. It's less stressful now that I'm nearing 50k miles (after 11 years) and the car has developed some genuine patina.
ROCK CHIPS...."OH NO"....I will not be able to deal with ROCK CHIPS
I'm calling my SHRINK TODAY(LOL)
Banzai Pipeline posted:
A buddy of mine bought a FERRARI DAYTONA SPIDER in 1980 for $175,000 and felt like he got ripped off. Two years later, with under 11,000 miles on it, it was worth 2 MILLION, and he has NOT driven it more than 1,000 miles in the last 35 years. HE IS PLAIN AFRAID to drive it AND he puts OR socks OVER his sneakers(VIRGIN NIKES) when he drives the car. GOODNESS.....
He should've got himself a McBurnie kit! I damn near bought one last year, unassembled, for $3500. Donor Corvette frame with 4-speed & 350 smog motor included. Man that was a close call.
Tom Blankinship posted:I always answer "it's a replica of a '58 Porsche Speedster."
That seems the best way to handle it.
I get several responses:
- '58 cool. (I think the word replica gets missed)
- I thought so. It looks awesome.
- You mean it's a kit? Did you build it? (No, it was made by a company in Indiana).
- If it was real you wouldn't be driving it right? (I have a licensed tag frame that says "If it was real, I wouldn't be driving it." That helps cut down on some of the parking lot discussions.
I just like being honest and it sets a comfortable vibe with others. Your mileage may vary.....
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My wife and I are going to Monterey car week and staying in Carmel for several days. Since my FiberFab 356 Speedster has a '66 Porsche 912 engine in it, I need suggestions on what to say when I'm asked. I like the idea of the sticker in the corner of the windshield.
Having had a number of Porsches over the years my little plastic car is by far the most fun to drive, except maybe an early 911S I had to sell after getting too many speeding tickets.
I once witnessed a few guys gathered around the car, one of them thumped on the fender and pronounced it real.
" My wife and I are going to Monterey car week and staying in Carmel for several days. Since my FiberFab 356 Speedster has a '66 Porsche 912 engine in it, I need suggestions on what to say when I'm asked. I like the idea of the sticker in the corner of the windshield."
You could always say ... tongue in cheek ... the body was swapped due to rust for a fiberglass body
I've had so many people/ students ask me about my Coyote and how fast it goes (Zero; it's still being built), how much did it cost. (I tell them $2000; that's what I paid for the basketcase.) and then there are the idiots with, "Shouda bought "Merican boy!" or "My Camaro/ Mustang/ Cutlass/ Trans-Am is faster" (I'm sure it is.) or my favorite was the southern guy who asked about it then started to tell me all about how his buddies and him would get in their "pickem-up truck" and go huntin' and drankin'...I have no idea where he was going with it. Annoying as he77.
Jeff
JiI posted:I've had so many people/ students ask me about my Coyote and how fast it goes (Zero; it's still being built), how much did it cost. (I tell them $2000; that's what I paid for the basketcase.) and then there are the idiots with, "Shouda bought "Merican boy!" or "My Camaro/ Mustang/ Cutlass/ Trans-Am is faster" (I'm sure it is.) or my favorite was the southern guy who asked about it then started to tell me all about how his buddies and him would get in their "pickem-up truck" and go huntin' and drankin'...I have no idea where he was going with it. Annoying as he77.
Jeff
Doesn't sound like the comment you cite from the "southern guy" is much different from the others you related.
Might sound similar but they were several different people. All ranging from late teens to 70s. The last guy kind of cracked me up.
Jeff
Jeff, you missed the point.
How so? The 'merica guy was a former cop going back to school at my college. The how fast is it was one of my younger students (among others...most common question) the camago/ mustang guys were camaro/ mustang etc... owners. One was a dodge challenger owner who was screaming pro dodge, anti everything else. He was quite the boaster. (Annoyed other students and teachers alike...)
The import guys are more chill for the most part, especially when I tell them it's suby powered. Some are annoying, others want to talk engine management, you know, the entire range of people.
Basically I've talked to a wide range of car people and most are pretty nice. I love all kinds of vehicles. I know one guy who restored a fire truck and it was awesome.
As I read everyone's comments, you answer based on the situation.
Jeff
Uh, about that 'cowboy way' comment I made a few posts back -
There are a very few situations in which you can be forgiven for not being entirely truthful about driving a replica, one of which happened to me last night.
After dinner, when our afternoon 'dry heat' was finally beginning to fade a little, I took the car out to top up the tank. It was just at dusk, when the sky lights up all rose-colored, making an ivory car just sort of glow.
A guy pulls up to me at a light, kinda out of breath, and rolls down his window. He was very excited.
"What a fantastic car!. My business is buying and selling cars and this one is just gorgeous. Do you want to sell it?"
I guess he was expecting my polite refusal. Maybe he thought I was negotiating. I mumbled something about having too much time and effort invested in the car to even think about selling it.
His reply made me wonder whether it is better to be a cowboy or a horse trader.
"Will you take $100,000 for it, right now?"
Sacto Mitch posted:
Uh, about that 'cowboy way' comment I made a few posts back -
There are a very few situations in which you can be forgiven for not being entirely truthful about driving a replica, one of which happened to me last night.
After dinner, when our afternoon 'dry heat' was finally beginning to fade a little, I took the car out to top up the tank. It was just at dusk, when the sky lights up all rose-colored, making an ivory car just sort of glow.
A guy pulls up to me at a light, kinda out of breath, and rolls down his window. He was very excited.
"What a fantastic car!. My business is buying and selling cars and this one is just gorgeous. Do you want to sell it?"
I guess he was expecting my polite refusal. Maybe he thought I was negotiating. I mumbled something about having too much time and effort invested in the car to even think about selling it.
His reply made me wonder whether it is better to be a cowboy or a horse trader.
"Will you take $100,000 for it, right now?"
I understand.
A temptation to be sure...
Sounds like he was trying to cheat you. Assuming he thought he'd be getting a genuine pristine Speedster for $100K.
Still, I'd say no sale for a number of reasons.
I will let people believe it's the real deal if I I think it'll make their day.
I have found people just want to believe and even if I tell them it's a recreation they keep believing it's real. Go figure. I've had two real Speedsters and my Beck is better in so many ways. And I can enjoy driving it.
Thanks for the post, Sacto Mitch.
"Hell, Yeah! Git your checkbook out!"
THAT's what you shoulda said. You could have gotten at least three different-colored VS's out of that, dude. 
Gordon Nichols posted:"Hell, Yeah! Git your checkbook out!"
THAT's what you shoulda said. You could have gotten at least three different-colored VS's out of that, dude.
Cheaters write bad checks, get cash.