This is a 1994 Porsche 550 Spyder Replica in excellent condition with 9000 original miles. Serial number is 0086B. It has a midengine 2110 cc 'flat' 4 cylinder with 4 speed transmission. There have been two owners since new. It has always been covered in a garage and never driven in the rain.
Chuck Beck made these for about 20 years and they are generally considered to be the very best 550 replicas made. While considered a 'replica' of the 1950's racecar, it is not built on some donor chassis, but is about 95% accurate with the original frame, etc. It was a many times LeMans class winner and the car James Dean was driving when he met his fate. Less than 100 of the originals were made and they are worth close to a million dollars now.
A 550 Spyder only weighs about 1250 lbs. This one has a very special short stroke 'big' motor (standard engines are 1.9 liters) and a close ratio transmission. Estimated horsepower is about 155. Here are the highlights:
90.5 x 82 mm short stroke engine
CB Performance 82 mm forged chromoly crankshaft
CB Performance rods
90.5 mm forged Mahle pistons
Eliminator 2000 big port heads, ported and polished
Oversized valves: 42 mm intake, 37 mm exhaust
Eagle Racing Cams with .470 lift and 304 duration
#3169 Intake manifolds matched to heads
1.25 Scat forged rockers
44 IDF Webers
#1628 Chromoly pushrods
#1916 Power Pulley
Dual oil coolers under vents in clamshell
Handling is superb. It will keep up with any modern two seat sportscar on a curvy road. Chuck used to take these out on track days in Southern California and regularly humiliate all comers. It has independent suspension, front and rear, and a lower center of gravity than any car sold today. There is almost no body roll. And none of the snap oversteer that rear engined Porsche's are known for. This is a 'mid engine' car. The engine is directly behind the driver, like a modern Boxster. In fact, the modern Boxster is just an updated 550 Spyder, but too heavy, too complicated, and too slow. Brakes are disc front and drum rear and work very, very well in a car this light.
Craftsmanship of the body is exceptional. Thicker and better fiberglass than any Corvette. Perfect seams. Aluminum details everywhere: small light housings, windshield frame, rear vents, convertible top fittings. And this one has both the optional tonneau and full convertible top with side curtains. Drive it in any weather....though this one has never seen the rain. Paint quality is impressive as well. A beautiful blue/silver metallic that shines like a polished mirror. No orange peel. Excellent finish. Chrome wheels with Porsche hubcaps. 165R15 Michelin XZX front tires, 205/60R15 Michelin MXV on the rear.
The interior is beautiful and very, very roomy, once you get in! I'm six foot and I can't touch the front bulkhead with my left leg extended. And plenty of room to the sides as well. It's very comfortable on long trips. Leather seats with headrests, full carpeting, custom floor mats, seat belts. The wind is well controlled and quiet for a convertible. There's even a huge trunk (in front, of course). It stores the entire top and sidecurtain assembly and has room for several soft bags. And there is a lot of storage inside the car--inside the doors, alongside the seats, and to the sides of the footwells.
The car has the original three gauge cluster: Tach, speedo, oil temp, fuel level, generator warning light, etc. There are windshield wipers, full lighting, and the optional wood steering wheel.
The engine cover is 'clamshell' for very easy servicing, not like a Boxster where you need a lift to even see the motor! It has a ten gallon gas tank with 'LeMans' filler--on this car, the real thing.
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