^ and THAT'S writing, mi amigos.
Mitch, excellent.
I knew some guys like that when I lived in SoCal. A couple ended up living in their Porsches for short periods of time.......but they rationalized that it was worth it to own a P-car.
I'm glad I'm not alone in my delusional fantasy. I've been messing with cars for a long time. I do all of my own maintenance except engine and transmission rebuilds.
I've got to say, I don't find realistic or accurate information "negative." Negative is for batter terminals as far as I'm concerned. 😄
I don't so much care what the Porsche purist think of a replica. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery... right ?
We could blame them for paying so much for such antiquated and slow cars can't we? Hahaha! Thus pricing out the true sicko people like us from scratching the itches we are forced to live with.
I'm going to look around and see about things. I'll be in LA later this year. There's a couple of builders there. I think there are a couple of 356 and 500 reps for rent too. I'll probably rent one and drive it for a few days on proper roads in proper weather. A far cry from this flat wasteland or humidity and misery here.
This place is great. So many forums and car communities are terrible. They take it all much too seriously at times. Not here. We seem to know that we need a certain help and that help is a 356 in any guise so long as it is ours. I'll join the club asap.
How can we take things seriously when our own cars are "plastic clown cars with glorified lawnmower engines" (S. Galat)?
Back in 1963 my brother bought a used 1959 Speedster for $2,200 dollars - it hadn't sold in 1958 and was a left-over after they shut down the production line for Speedsters. It was 5 years old when he bought it from a local doctor and it needed some minor body work.
My dad about hit the roof.
What would that be in today's dollars, $30K? But he was in the service and had the money to spend so.... No big deal.
He left it at home when he re-deployed so my Dad got to drive it more than my brother did, just "keeping it limbered up", so to speak. That same car, a 1500 normal, today would clock in around $250K.
For all of the oldies in the New England 356 club, that becomes a serious chunk of their retirement income.
John, welcome to the madness!
I do like the notion that a smaller house and a few toys is better than a big house.
If a Spyder catches your fancy there's no turning back. I chose to make the car something I(and my wife!) liked. The rest of the world can suck it.
It is raw. Immediate. Loud, raucous. Rides surprisingly smoothly. Accelerates great. Brakes very well. It's predictable and neutral, right up until you exceed the limit. Then almost impossible to catch, unless you know it's coming. In other words: FUN FUN FUN!
About 98% of the local PCA guys love the car. There are a couple who will never look at anything WITHOUT a P VIN fondly. But that's OK, they never will "GET IT".
For those "Goldilocks" days, it is quite the enjoyable ride. Too hot or too cold, not so much. Cold is better as I have heat and heated seats. Baking like a potato is not fun. It's even worse with an all-aluminum interior.
Danny I love the 550 as well. Very cool cars! What make of 550 do you have??
Having met a few people whose cars have escalated in value to the point they cannot drive them, in one case, had to sell (at huge profit) a D Type Jaguar, because he couldn't afford to insure it to just sit in his workshop, let alone drive on the road, I'd have to be very rich indeed to enjoy driving a real Speedster. I have two friends who have real coupes, and are rich enough to drive them on the road, but both are more nervous now than they were a few years back. Yes they have made a lot of 'profit' from the escalating value, but you have to sell it to get the money. My Speedster (when I get it) is going to be a toy that I can enjoy when the sun shines, without anxiety or stress.
Jem wrote: "My Speedster (when I get it) is going to be a toy that I can enjoy when the sun shines, without anxiety or stress."
That ^^^ Is exactly it. Add a top and a gas heater (or decent engine heat) and it expands your driving season (even in the UK) to 8-9 months.
Drive 'em.
These cars are soooo beautiful that lots of guys get bound up about just driving them (I might get a scratch, it might rain and get the leather wet, etc.). They keep them looking good, but never use them.
The thing is, they're not valuable like an original. They may cost more than most guys think they should, but they're short money compared to a new GT3 or GT4 (shoot, they're short money compared to an "S"). You aren't going to drop the value putting miles on them.
Drive 'em.
Drive 'em X 2!
Drive 'em X 3!
I put 56k on mine and Jim Ignacio put over 100k on his first one before an accident. He's now on his second. Despite some sacrifices in all-weather comfort they are cars. I did the 1500 mile round trip between Charleston and Carlisle 10 times in mine, plus 1000 mile mountain trips, etc.
I've never understood those who don't drive their cars. If i were able to afford an original 356 or any of the other cars in that price range, then I would have it fully insured and enjoy it as much as possible. We live once, so live well!!!
@Lostronin John, it's my second Vintage Spyder from Greg Leach in Hawaiian Gardens CA. The first was 2002, the new one is 2016. Greg sent me a roller the first time with trans. The second car came as a semi-roller: front beam installed and old drums just to make it roll. The rear end was supported by a huge shopping cart-like wheel clamped to the trans crossmember. Greg did all panel fit/finish/hinge/latches. He painted it, mounted the windshield and carpets, and installed a harness in the car. I finished the interior, wired it, installed gauges and seats. Then the motor and trans, brakes, alignment, oil system, fuel system. Installed carbon-fiber seat heaters and a Webasto gasoline heater. I also got a used top and am still in-process on that.
The first one hit a guardrail at 60, the frame is quite strong. Every fiberglass panel was cracked or shattered, but the steel frame protected me. I was very lucky to walk away and be able to tell the tale.
I stripped the drivetrain and seats, and built it again. It was nice to NOT make the same building mistakes the second time around.
Danny that is an amazing story. I'm glad you came out okay!! Cars can always be replaced. I've heard of Vintage Speedsters. Always good things too. I'd like a 550 as well. It's iconic like the Speedster for sure.
Believe me, I'm very happy to still be here!
Vintage Motorcars Inc., it's the same maker, he does Spyders, Speedsters, and pre-A coupes now. Very nice fit and finish.
Speedster: 1800 pounds
Spyder: 1500 pounds
Just sayin'
I put over 40,000 miles on the old car in ten years. That's a lot of miles considering the Northeast location.
"Welcome to the Madness" known as replicar ownership. Quite a few on this site are current or previous owners of Porsches, but also own one of these replica 356's and 550's. This is a great group that enjoys doing exactly whet you are pursuing, have a cool car with timeless designing providing you endless miles of enjoyment.
I have posted this video many times before, so most everyone has seen it (or probably tired of seeing). If you haven't, it is a collection of SOC members gathering on the East Coast, West Coast and everywhere in between. Hopefully you'll be able to join us on one of these get togethers! 
Welcome To The Madness from Jim Ignacio on Vimeo.
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This certainly has been a most entertaining reminiscing booklet that we need to send to @Marty Grzynkowicz lest he forgets what he is planning to leave to be an Alpha Doggy minus his IM Roadster.
I enjoyed the comments on being somewhat of an unacceptable child in the look alike contest of the 356 world, it is especially obvious when one tries to explain what kind of car we have.
John, take the above advice and try to get to some cruise weekend where some of these guys are and try the right seat of many cars to see what options and style of car you like. Style as in, builders, engines options etc.
Carlisle might be a wash but maybe Marty will be in Naples soon with his IM, or MotoCarlo in Georgia is selling his IM roadster.
Jim, show John how to pack a 356 before a trip 
That would be really important information to complete his education @MusbJim
