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What would be your ideal car if money were no object? 

Limited to Porsche body styles of 1955-2019, but can be original or replica, with whatever frame, engine/suspension/transmission, finish, interior, etc. you can think of.  There may be some of us who already have what we consider the ultimate, but almost all of us are limited by finances.  I would really think about a Singer or Emory, but there may be other bespoke builders I don't know about, such as Gunther Werks.  What's your fantasy?

Last edited by Jim Kelly
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An original 4 cam 1955, '56 or '57 Speedster with 2 liter 4 cam engine, C front discs with 6" Fuchs, converted to irs in the back with 901 5 speed, brakes, and 911R 7" Fuchs. When I priced this out and included custom panel beating to the tune of upwards of twice what the car would be worth (and it wasn't painted yet, and it was the '80's so the car wasn't really worth squat!) for anything I could find in the Pacific Northwest/British Columbia (remember there was no internet and EVERYTHING from Portland and north was very rusty from the door bottoms down), with the VW knowledge I had I think you can see why I settled on a Replica...

Oh- and I know Jim limited it to Porsches, but my other dream car is an original 1969 Hemi Cuda convertible (last time I looked there were only 6 still around)- what can I say, I am the epitome of champagne taste on a (cheap) beer budget... 

PS- It's a good thing I like beer!

Last edited by ALB

 

Geez Jim, I'm not gonna talk about my fantasies here because, well, Internet, and also, my wife might be reading this. So, I'll just say my ideal car is a 2013 VS with a two-liter and a five-speed.

See, this morning was one of those mornings.

It stayed cool out until almost noon, which was enough time to sneak down to Amador County along one of my favorite two-lane roads, grab some coffee and goodies at our favorite rural bakery, and double back through the oaks, along the little, meandering creek with the grazing horses, and early enough that the sun was low and filtering through the greenery, just like you'd want it to.

It's a road that's just right for a Speedster. It was pretty much the only kind of rural road there was in Germany in 1955, which is why our cars had no need for 650 horsepower or 18-inch, vented and drilled brake discs, or doppelganger gear changes, or a Sports Chrono Package.

A RUF or a 3500 GT would be nice, but neither would have shown me a better time on that road this morning.

I think I dream more about finding better roads and nicer mornings than about fancier cars.

 

What I also was trying to say the first time around was the amount of care all these machines take can consume all your time when your driving season is short.  

On the other hand if cars are your business like Leno, he has a lot of guys helping him out so he can enjoy one car per day.   Oh, did I mention that he has to be a sustainer for all those guys, and some for life, so you end up with employees at work, employees at home and it goes on.   Your choices may vary but it's all time management.    Where is El Guapo when I need him. 

For me, it would be a toss-up:

Between a 1954 Hudson Commodore Convertible - Keep the frame but replace the engine with an engine and 6-speed auto from a later Vette and run a Jag independent rear end.  Spiff the interior and add A/C and a color contrasting convertible top.

Hudson

If not that, then I kinda like the Bugatti Atlantic clones I've seen (both of them) and while they are pretty, I just don't know....  Either this (same 'Vette Upgrades):

Bugatti Atlantic

Or maybe a Delahaye, brought up to a present drivetrain:

Delahaye

Yeah.......  The Dalahaye would prob'ly be my Fave.

Even if they just handled "OK" (and you know I wouldn't stand for that and improve the suspension if necessary), they would be worth having just to look at them!

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Jim Kelly posted:

What would be your ideal car if money were no object? 

Limited to Porsche body styles of 1955-2019, but can be original or replica, with whatever frame, engine/suspension/transmission, finish, interior, etc. you can think of.  There may be some of us who already have what we consider the ultimate, but almost all of us are limited by finances.  I would really think about a Singer or Emory, but there may be other bespoke builders I don't know about, such as Gunther Werks.  What's your fantasy?

In keeping with the directions my ideal cars would be an original 550 and an original Speedster. They're just that cool. But I wouldn't mind an Emory in the garage either.

 

Jim, I think we become more philosophical when $ has always been a very real object in our lives. That reality becomes part of us. It colors how we think. And probably how we dream.

It may be philosophical to seek out life's simpler pleasures, but there's no denying simpler pleasures usually cost less.

With cars, there's also the butthole factor. It seems the more a car costs, the more likely the butthole factor comes as standard equipment.

Roll up in any one of these

Lambo01

CarreraGT01

GT3_01

and the first thing people ask is, "What butthole is driving that thing?"

What I've always found amazing about the Speedster is that no matter how much attention it draws, people don't think you're a butthole for driving one. They may still think I'm a butthole, but not because of the car.

Maybe they sympathize a little because they know about EMPI brakes.

 

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Can’t help but to agree with everything you wrote so far on this post @Sacto Mitch

While I tend not to care what people think, a big smile across someone’s face as you roll up in the Speedster goes a long way; the happiness this car instills for both me (the driver) and onlookers (whether it’s men, women and kids from 2 through 92), is pure gold. To me, it’s either pay a shrink or pay a mechanic [or Sierra Madre].

So when faced with the “challenge” of money no object, what Porsche would I own; I struggled. I may already have it (minus the Porsche part). So, to answer the question, maybe a nice Irish Green Speedster. I’d buy a basket case, hand it over to Emory, and work with him on delivering something magical. 

I spent almost all of last week in Monterey. Car people from all over the world gathered in one spot. And our little clown cars were universally accepted. From people that didn’t know anything about cars, to professional restoration shops to billionaires with amassed collections. 

The highlight of my week was allowing a young girl (posing next to my car) to get inside while parked alongside 17-mile. Next thing I knew, a number of cars stopped, and the kids lined up. At one time the line of kids was 9 deep (I wasn’t even parked on an active portion of 17-mile, I was near Cyprus Point Golf Club, tucked away on an impacted dirt turn-out). All ready to have their photo taken. I’ve had an amazing time driving the Speedster down in SLO with this group, but seeing the smiles on all those kids faces was probably the best moment I have had in my speedster. 

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