OK I am new here so excuse my relative ignorance. I am considering getting a replica car and want the beehive tail lights and the Poyantha red which according to my initial research they are associated with the T1 model a color change to ruby red aftewards and rear lights were in 1957 T2 model? Any other comestic changes needed on a replicar other than rear licese plate light facing up rather than down? Any advice greatly appreciated. I am really looking for a very classic look with white sidewall tires.

One piece to your puzzle,...Related to beehives for the "56" look that I wanted, when I ordered my VS from Kirk down in Hawaiian Gardens, he told me that I had to have the licence plate light looking down not up.He can tell you why with a quick phone call.

As I understand it, the shine-down light is correct for beehives to mid 1956, and the shine-up light is correct for tear drops from mid 1956 on EXCEPT that Porsche often just used what they had in the parts bins, and there were some car produced with tear drops and shine down license lights.

T2:

Headlights inset sealed beams - may or may not have outer lenses if grills were added.

Rocker panels are shallower and do not wrap under the body

Wheels are 15" X 4-1/2" wide

Jack spurs much like VW but angled upward slightly and rectangular

Hood handle centered on hood

Door handles: Inner is forward and elevated, outer is rounded around the button

Porsche wipers with windshield washers

Outside mirrors: Everything from British to Talbot - anything would be fitted to customer request/order

Dash knob actuated a hand choke

Oil Filter Canister: Fram is orange, Factory is gray, top may be gray or black

Dash gauges were three: Multigauge left, Tach upper center, Speedo right

Starter on key

Dash switches Horizontally arrayed below and beside gauges

Dash knobs were Ivory (Black knobs were used on "B" series)

Directionals were Self-Canceling, Driver indicator is at bottom of Tach

Porsche steering wheel button and horn ring are separate - Button flashes headlights, button ring blows horn

"Porsche" dash emblem was gold plated and brighter

Parking Brake is an umbrella handle under the dash

There's a lot more differences, but this should be enough for now.....

Gordon
The Speedstah Guy from Grafton

T1:

The following comparison was taken from actual (and original) speedsters in June of 2011 at a TYP356NE function where a 1955 T-1 was compared to a 1957 T-2. I have some photos, but will have to dig a bit to find where I stashed them on this newer PC. There is a LOT more different than what I present here, but that is mostly undercarriage/suspension differences and such.

T-1 on this pane, T-2 on the next.

Bee-hive taillights until mid-1956-ish

Headlights similar to VW with spot in center and upper fluted lenses.

Rocker panels are lower and wrap under the body

Wheels are 16" X 3-1/2" wide

Jack spurs much like VW but angled upward slightly and square-ish

Hood handle may be right justified (passenger side) about 1/4" (Many of them are)

Door handles are centered on the inside, squared off on the outside around the button

VW wipers with no windshield washers

Outside mirrors: Aero mirrors were standard. Others were aftermarket

Dash knob actuated a hand throttle

Oil Filter Canister: Fram is orange, Factory is gray

Dash gauges were two: Tach Left and Speedo right with small clock upper center between

Starter button on dash

Dash switches vertically stacked on both sides of gauges

Dash knobs were gray

Directionals were non-canceling with indicator on the end of the directional stalk

Porsche steering wheel center button works horn

"Porsche" dash emblem was polished brass - tends to dull out

Parking Brake is a lever under the dash

Vintage Speedsters and other makers refer to their molds as a 1957 model year, or 356A. Therein lies the rub, since the model change was mid-year, in March 1957. Prior to March, the tail lights were beehives, with a shine-down light. From March 1957 on, teardrops with shine up lights took over. Thus, both configurations are correct for the model year. Porsche lore is also filled with anecdotal information regarding exceptions to the rules, special orders for export or the US market, etc.

Most of the nitpicky details are only important to "points" cars, i.e, show cars and their cadre of OCD owners/afficianados known as the Porsche police. I'm glad those folks are around, since they do such great restoration jobs. However, the oondescension they exude toward replicas is only bearable for a very short duration.

OTOH, my replica has no Porsche badging. It's not a Porsche, any more than a funny car at the drag strip is a '66 Nova. I'm glad it's not an original Porsche as I love the shape, but want more power, better handling and balance, more efficient brakes, and the mod con's of today's cars.

My advice is to enjoy what you buy or build, and make it your own. There's nothing wrong with asking for advice, but it's your creation.

Speaking from experience with three of them, ALL '66 Novas were "funny cars."