What do you tell people you are driving ??

Okay, I went out on my first real excursion in the Speedster this morning (it then rained but that's another issue). I had maybe 6 people ask just what it is, so, do you start right out with "It's a replica" or simply say a Porsche and if they ask more about it then elaborate on it's true origin?

Guess that brings me to the pronunciation question . It is simply a Porsche or the slightly more snobish "Poor-sha". Kind of like the Jag thing and whether you pronounce the "U" in Jaguar.

Even with the rain it was the best ride I ever remember having!

Tony Miller

I know what you mean. It takes an extra 10 minutes just to fill the tank from all the questions. (I grin a lot while explaining my baby).

I tell the truth. What drew them to you is the timeless design and utility of the car. Probably 99% of them don't have a clue and you could tell them it was a porsche (pour sha)but then what would that get you.

You have all the beauty and utility without the worry of rusted quarter panels and such.

I've gotten to the point, since people will ask me ALL the time. It's a 356 Porsche Speedster, 1957. If they ask a lot more questions, then I explain the whole thing. That it's a replica and what that is, since most don't know what a replica is.

David

I usually tell them it's a '57 Porsche Speedster replica. If you don't tell them it's a replica, that will be their second question and then they'll act one of two ways (1) surprised and/or (2) like they caught you trying to hide the fact that it is a replica.

Congrats on your first excursion...rain is always fun, especially without a top. I hope to stop by for a look tomorrow.

I tell them "It's a great replica of a 57 Speedster, pretty cool, eh?"

What do they say to that?

Yeah!

Bet you wish you had a real one? "No, actually this is much better than an original in many ways... I can drive it anywhere, and 99% of people would never tell the difference, and it is just a blast to drive"

Nah man, I'd rather have an original. "Ok? that's cool, go buy one."


BE PROUD OF WHAT YOU HAVE!

Hi Tony:

As far as how to pronounce porsche. If you go the the porsche web site and open one of the multimedia presentations. They say poor-sha. So the sha is not snobish, it is the proper way.

And as far as what i say to the folk's. I tell them it's a 57 speedster. But i also have no problem admitting it is a replicar. i don't get to much of the 'is it real thing'. In fact, in my part of the world some folk's ask if it's one of those new electric cars. And some ask, When did porsche start making that model? thinking it is a new model. I get some wide eyed looks when i say from the prototype model in 1948-1965.

jerry

I do exactly as David; at first I tell them it's a '57; 99% of the people who ask don't have a clue either.

Ricardo, I'm with you. Since the most frequently asked question seems to be, "what year is it?" I say 1957 or perhaps late 1957, since 1957 1/2 sounds too Detroit. Also, I do use the word Pour sha, even though most people seem to prefer the one sylable variation. I ran into a guy at a car happening once who claimed that "nobody calls them Pour sha's." I bit my tongue and didn't reply with Bob Falfa's response to Terry the Toad (Harrison Ford, Charles Martin Smith - American Graffiti) "I ain't nobody dork, right?" In any event, I share freely with anyone who seems to be interested enough to pursue the topic that the car is a replica. If they aren't really interested, why waste your breath?

Thanks guys. I was getting new front tires and everyone at the tire place had to ask about her. I gave the whole story....Porsche Speedster replica. Only guy that was surprised was an older mechanic. He thought the bottom looked just like a Porsche. When I explained the VW pan he said, well that explains it...it's almost like a Porsche.

I did think the correct pronunciation was Poor-sha but most simply say Porsche around here. Same with the Jag I guess. Only the fellow doing the comercial and older guys with leather patches on their sportcoat elbows says Jag-you-are .

Weird weather here today. Good thing Bruce postponed the East Coast meet till next weekend. One minute it was warm and sunny, the next black sky and lightning. Fun day anyway. I'm wet, the car is wet but I am grinning from ear to ear. Tomorrow will be a sunny day to dry her out and do a lot of detail work. Hope you can stop by Bruce, anytime after noon will be fine as I will be working on the car all day.

Tony

I used to just say "It's a '57 Porsche" but then always seemed to get sucked in to explaining the whole replica thing anyway, so now that I'm older and wiser I just say "It's a replica of a '57 Pour-sha Speedster."

Then the very next question always seems to be "where can I get one?" so now I have my spiffy business cards with speedsterowners.com on them, along with several manufacture's web sites listed (and, of course, a picture of me and "Pearl" so they won't forget...)

Haven't really had a Bozo ask me about it since last Spring - maybe they've all gone back up to the Bozone level.

And Gord...we hope they stay there...(meaning the Bozos....)

I can't help with the identity issues, but the pronunciation is definitely Porsch-eh (2 syllables). At least, that is how it was pronounced by a college classmate of mine who happened to have it for her last name. She was (I think) Ferry's granddaughter - which would have made her the greatgranddaughter of Professor Ferdinand - the founder. When anyone would call her Miss Porsche (one syllable) she'd say Porsch-eh "like zee outomobile".

Whether you call it a Porsch-eh replica or just say Porsch-eh ... that depends on your own self-image, and how anxious you really are to get into a conversation. If you have the name on the car, the question is probably more often "what year" in which case "1959" (and keep walking) should do just fine.

I agree with Porsch-eh. Having gone to Germany alot on business I have heard this. Of course it could be a Tomato-Tomato thing. It's their accent. I call it a Porsche and leave off the eh....

As for what do I tell people it's a 57 Speedster. Well, it is isn't it? That seems to be enough and they leave me alone. People are so impressed with the car that they seem satisfied with that answer. I never say Porsch-eh or Porsche, cause it isn't. I cannot imagine what it would be like if someone said to me well it's a replica after I tried to pass it off as an original!

I tell people I'm driving a Miata, 'cause that's what I'm driving these days :-(

Tell people you are driving a Vintage Speedster, or a Classic Motor Carriage, or an Intermeccanica, etc... People will say "isn't it a porsche?" Reply with "Oh no!, They made a car that looked like this, but they had major problems with rust. This one has disc brakes, larger engine, etc." None of our cars completely accurately replicate a Porsche, but they were inspired by the beautiful shape.
-=theron

Hey Theron, I like your style. good advice.

Many people start off with "what year is it?" I reply "57, you can tell by the tear drop tail lights, before '57 the had two bee hive lights." If they want more information I tell them right off its a "maufacured replica." Then if anything like "not real a one" or "phoney" comes up, I reply "you wouldn't want a real one" and we can usually have a nice talk about rust and cost of ownership.

People I know I tell them its an Intermeccanica and people I don't know its a 59 Porsche........I have learned that as far as people I don't know goes I just want to be polite, but not waste 5 minutes explaining what a replica is and besides they are probably not really that interested. Car shows I tell them everything they want to know and leave it at that.

I just say it's a 1959 model. But I do like the way the gas attendants lways use a rag so as not to drip!

To solve this problem I recommend that we all go out and buy 'real' 356s. Then, we wouldn't have any problems at the gas bar. I know that I've solved this problem by selling my beautiful (sob,sob) 84 IM and buying a Mazda Miata. Now, when people ask what it is, I tell them that it's a REAL Mazda Miata. I don't have to lie, or explain anything....see how simple it can be for you....just find that rust free, perfect 356 cab for $20,000 and you're set. And then, don't worry about driving it in all types of weather conditions and heavy traffic...could a bit of snow/salt or a few fender benders hurt a REAL 356....no way.
Ron
Note for Henry
(someday, someway, there is a new IM in my future...it just better darn well be fuel injected!)

the easiest and simple is "speedster"

Ron are you thinking fuel injection on a VW engine or fuel injection on a more modern solution........I would love to see an IM with a modern engine solution.

57 Porsche Speedster CMC.

Most people don't know the difference and Porsche Owners usually are so full of themselves they only look and not discuss your or their car.

I've owned a 912 & 911T and when I was with PCA Members, they even looked down on 912E & 914 owners. You had to at least own a 914-6 before would include you as a "Real Porsche Owner."

Personally, I don't care what other people think; I like the Speedster Design, Car Feel, Performance & Handling.

Ron0:

'...someday, someway, there is a new IM in my future.'

Do I detect a hint of remorse in your voice/email? Is the speedster bug still slithering around inside of you?

The s in Porsche makes it a two syllable word. Not Porche.

POR-SCHE - German colleagues have always pronounced the word with two syllables.

JAG-U-AR - It's not just the commercials and the old blokes who say it with three syllables. It is also the entire population of the British Isles, and I would venture to say the majority of English speaking peoples everywhere. (Personal rant - apologies for any offence - none intended I can assure you).

Jim.

depending upon my read of the inquisitor's intellect, i respond accordingly. lately i have responded, "replica of a...".

there was one time, however... this past summer i was at tanglewood, the home of the boston pops, out in the berkshires. the parking folks though i was somebody important, so they whisked me to the front lawn to park in the best possible spot under the lights. at the end of the concert, i was driving my way slowly through a sea of pedestrians and the crowd parted like the red sea. from a distance, someone yelled, "beautiful 356, truly pristine example". with this the crowd began to applaud as i drove by. i appreciatively nodded.

You say Toma(AAA)toe- I say Tomato--------

A guy from Tennessee (Jim?) went to a house in the Berkshires and said that he would like to do some odd jobs around the house. So the owner said you can paint my porch for $200.00.

About 20 minutes later he said that he was done. The owner said "wha? My goodness that was quick. You people from Tennessee can certainly work quickly."

The guy from Tennessee said "sure thang, but that ain't no Porch, that's a Ferrari."

Mike,
You beat me to it ! I was going to post that same story. Makes me laugh every time I hear it.
Tony

As far as pronounciation is concerned, if I'm not mistaken it has to do with the "e" at the end of a German word. It's not silent as it would be in english. I once met a fellow of German heritage whose last name was spelled "Dude", he pronounced it "du-da". I asked him and he said it was the same with "Porsche", sounds like "pour-sha".

I have a good friend that lived in Germany for many years and confirms that "Por-Sha" is correct. He also explained that in Germany it's "Ah-Dee-Dahz" for the shoes not "Eh-Deeduz".

Although I just ordered my IM Speedster, I have gotten out in front of the problem of explaining identity. I ordered a personalized license plate that says "Nachbau". When people ask, I will simply say, "the answer is in the license plate".

Pardon my German William; what does that mean?

Well I guess I can tell a fraternity brother, it's German for Replica/Duplicate, etc. Well, at least I hope it does...come to think of it, it could also be a great joke on me by my German speaking friend....Hmmm.

People usually asked me one of two questions; what year is it (they already noticed the Porsche badges), or is that real? The former were not really 'car' types, but they recognized the name, and the latter were 'car' types and knew the difference. If they asked me what year is was I told them it was a 1669 (the actual year of my VW pan). They had no idea that Porsche stopped making the 356 in 65 (is this the right year?..see, I'm not sure either). If they asked me if it was real I told them that it was a replica. Then, we would get into the whole thing about Intermeccanica being more of a 'factory' car, and on it would go.
Ron

The German for "replica" is actually "Replik".

"Nachbau" actually translates to "reproduction" - which I think is abetter and more descriptive title for the vehicle.

What an excellent idea! I juct checked and it looks like this would be available in Michigan. I think I might just toddle off to the SOS tomorrow and get in before the rush!

I won't need the plate for another 10 months, but who knows whether it will be available then!

Jim.

Ron O your car was made in 1669? What did Chris Columbus bring it over? And what was he doing on the west coast?

There were actually four Columbus ships that first sailed to the America's

The Ni

Jim:

Thanks for the translation correction. So I guess my German friend was not playing a joke on me after all...come to think of it, that too makes sense.

I reserved "Kopie" as well. I will decide which plate to use later. I liked Nachbau as it was a little bit more of a riddle, "Kopie" will be more obvious but may save me a little more time in the long run.

Cheers.

Mike, you're such a smart ass....yes, mine was a very, very, very early model.
Ron