Replica Etiquette

The usual stoplight question is "what year is it?" I always answer "a replica of a '58." Sometimes the word replica registers, sometimes not, but that seems to satisfy all.

I have a tag frame that says "If it was real, I wouldn't be driving it."

That cuts down on the noise too.


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Reproduction Porsche 356 Speedster....Good luck at a gas station, just smile and nod never ever making eye contact or you'll be there for 30 minutes listening to the guy tell you what he owned back when he had a full head of hair.... :~)

That's a funny frame!

Speaking of the gas station, I've seen  people step out of their cars and take a picture. It's amazing how people react to these cars. I'm loving it. 

Ask Kirk for a handful of business cards.
"2016 Vintage Speedster. The website has all the info"
Then hand them a VS business card and keep moving.

-=theron

One time coming home from the beach i had 2 blondies in a new convertible Bug  yell at me to come party with them  good for my ego bad for my marriage, plus I already have a beautiful blonde at home.......... but if i were single 

Oh i tell them it's a 356 Outlaw it seems to work!!

Welcome to the joy of being a Speedster owner.

I'm so happy to join the madness!  Unlike some of the folks who experience weather where they live, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to drive the brakes off this car here in So Cal all year round. When you sit behind the wheel of a speedster, and peer through the glass at all the uniformity of style or self-congratulatory gas efficiency, you Realize your morning commute will never be so dull. 

You may find that your response will vary, depending on who's asking the question, and the time you have to answer.  For most folks, my pat response is: it's a replica of a 57 Porsche.  Sometimes, I have more time, I'm in a great mood, the person asking is very nice, and my answer will be more detailed.  Once in a great while, if the person is an aggressive jerk with an undeveloped sense of personal space, I don't even answer.  I ignore them and drive off.  

BTW, what's your first name?

I'm Tim. My parents had a rotund weiner dog. 

I say the same as Tom does and if they are very interested I give them Kirk's business card and drive on; that's the reason I'm on the road- wanting to drive and hear the motor push the car around. Tim, what engine and car details did you end up with?

i always tell them it is a re-creation. bill

 

I tell them it's an Intermeccanica, modelled after a 1955 Porsche.

It's the year that gets most people - 2016.  But I try not to state that, because that's when all the questions start...and I'd rather be driving.

I like the comment, "just don't make eye contact" , at times trying to look ahead and not make eye contact is hard to do without looking pompous when all you want to do is enjoy the drive and not be interrupted for a half an hour talk.

'57 Speedster, that's what and all they need to know

Looks like a good time to repost my "Top Ten Questions" David Letterman style:

#10 Is that your car?
#9 Is it fun to drive? (some people just don't have a clue)
#8 Where did you get the wheels?
#7 What engine do you have in it?
#6 Is that a kit car?
#5 Did you do the work yourself?
#4 How much did that cost you? (again, some people just don't have a clue)
#3 Is that new?
#2 What is that?
And the #1 question is:

"Dude! What year is that?"

Large Dachshund posted:

I'm so happy to join the madness!  Unlike some of the folks who experience weather where they live, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to drive the brakes off this car here in So Cal all year round. When you sit behind the wheel of a speedster, and peer through the glass at all the uniformity of style or self-congratulatory gas efficiency, you Realize your morning commute will never be so dull. 

Yes... right up until some dimwit 25 year old texting rear ends you and she's not insured. So happy.

I'm sorry. That wasn't very in the Christmas spirit of me. I'll delete it.

Tim - several SOCers put a placard on their car at car events they attend. Here is the one I put on mine. It helps minimize the time-killing questions you get and takes the wind out of the "Experts" pointing out how they can tell its a replica.

'Welcome To The Madness' known as replica Speedster ownership!

Hope you can join us on one of our SoCal cruises (SOCer's from Sunset Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach & Dana Point). 

MUSBJIM loves his car... and so do all of us, and so do all of us, for he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow, and drives an awesome car. 

Sorry.  Got a little carried away there...

I've looked at this site long enough to realize there's an arms race for the baddest speedster possible. While I aspire to one day understand some of these technical discussions, I'm going to stick with Kirk's advice and go stock, until I get a real baseline of experience. 

I have a 1600 and unlike some of you that drive it on a weekend in the summer. I drive my car for "pleasure" on a more regular basis here in the OC. My first impression is that 1600 is plenty fun in this go-kart. It's loud in the cockpit, especially if you drive it often. But I need loud to announce my arrival. 

At some point, I'll entertain upgrades. Probably tires will wear out, first. The engine and suspension stuff is so interconnected that I can see a lot of money, time and effort before I get  the desired setup. 

I have joined the few, the proud...  That's exclusive company!

Tim - I owned my previous VS ('95) for 17 years. Came with a stock Mexi-crate 1776cc (which I eventually modded to 1835cc) and was my daily driver. Logged 100,000 relatively trouble-free miles driving all over the Western U.S.

(click on pics to enlarge)...

I'm on my 2nd VS (also daily driver) logging 20,000 trouble-free miles in 2 years. There's a lot to be said about keeping these rides simple.

 

Here's wishing you MANY miles of top-down cruising! 

That's inspiring, @MusbJim!  

Always loved an article that Peter Egan wrote years ago in "Road & Track", he built a replica Lotus 11 over a long weekend and was driving it back to Wisconsin. Each stop he made he was besieged with questions about the car.

It was equipped with wire wheels and knock off hubs. At a stop in North Dakota, a young gas station attendant (yes it was that long ago) was asked to check the tire pressure, now being eye level with the knock off hub, he asked Peter "hey mister, what year undo is this".

I ran into Peter a few years back at Barber Motorsports, in Alabama, and told him I really enjoyed his writing. He asked me which of his article I liked the best  (I think it was a test) and I told him the one above, he promptly  told me what year and month it was in, and invited me to join him and his friends for breakfast. He is a great guy.

Chuck Martin

 

 

 

Tim, as Jim said, its a blast just driving around in town, in the hills and along the coast- we in SoCal have it good. I live in Orange and love driving through the Santiago Canyon through Dana Point, up the coast and back home. Unfortunately I have not yet in the 3 years hooked up with Jim and his cool car. What's even better having several cars cruise the roadways. Hope to see you or hook up with you and some of the other SoCal SOC'rs in 2017.

It all depends what kind of mood I'm in at the time and how the person approaches.  Some people get the full explanation and others just want to know what year it is.

I told one guy that I was driving a 1965 Beetle that "self identifies" as a 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster.  He just nodded and said, " oh " .  That was it.  Good enough for him. 

Whatever gets you back on the road. 

Tomorrow is Christmas and it's supposed to be sunny and high 40's.  I'm quite sure that I'll be driving the only Speedster on the Outer Cape tomorrow.  

Merry Christmas and happy motoring to all.

I love that response!

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Karmin Ghia, then I smoke all 3 gears out of there! Can't use 4th, I run out of island...

I've narrowed it down to: "Looks like a '57 Speedster to me."

...and I'm on my way.

I like Cory Drake's "'66 Beetle SS."

I always answer them with a smile and statement of: it's a 57, 356 Porsche Speedster. and I smile (SEG)... Most just grin and nod their approval...  Welcome to this madness...

This thread is very encouraging to hear.  I've wanted a speedster for YEARS, and have only now come around to buying one.  I reckon around April time I'll pick up a Chesil replica which is a UK manufactured car.  

I'm usually anti kit cars like the obviously fake MR2 355 replicas you sometimes see.  

What I love about the 356 replicas is that they are so much closer to the real thing, both internally and externally.  And the fact that I don't have $250,000 for a real one is also a factor.

I'm planning a 2,500 mile road trip around Europe.  I posted in another section, but will also put my route on here.  Any feedback from existing owners of these types of cars will be most welcomed as I've never owned an air cooled car before.

Many thanks,

Ketan.

Ketan:  Hi, and welcome to the Madness!

It would be really cool if you could time your trip to coincide with the Mille Miglia, just to spectate.  I remember someone else on here a few years back (I think he was Dutch) who somehow got to run in that race, but would have to go back and find out how he did it. Just as a spectator, it would be one of those "Bucket List" check-offs.

Best of luck with you upcoming car!