I'm thinking of getting a 356 replica
Discussion
Try the UK club for them http://www.speedsters.com Am a member myself from when I had a replica 550, should find someone who can help
My once concern is that you don't appear to get much car for your money. The cars I've seen have been £15-£20K and that sounds like a lot for a plastic tub on a Beetle chassis.
For similar money I can get a similar condition Kharmann Ghia, an 80s 911 or any number of British roadsters. All of which have been restored to new condition.
There are some amazing kit cars for a lot less. A GTM Libra for example (OK I realise it's not the same thing).
I sold my immaculate Boxster for about the money I would be paying for a 356 replica.
I guess I'm looking for some reassurance that it's money well spent as the 356 is a car I've always promissed myself.
For similar money I can get a similar condition Kharmann Ghia, an 80s 911 or any number of British roadsters. All of which have been restored to new condition.
There are some amazing kit cars for a lot less. A GTM Libra for example (OK I realise it's not the same thing).
I sold my immaculate Boxster for about the money I would be paying for a 356 replica.
I guess I'm looking for some reassurance that it's money well spent as the 356 is a car I've always promissed myself.
You pays your money and takes your choice, I guess. The Chesil Speedsters have always had a good reputation in the KC press and would seem to be a reasonably authentic experience.
Are you concerned that if you go to look at one, you'll like it and buy it straight away? If not, then go and drive one, see if you like it and want the car.
Just out of interest, have you looked at the genuine article? Not sure how much more expensive a real 356 would be, but I guess you might be able to get a reasonable one for not too much more??
Are you concerned that if you go to look at one, you'll like it and buy it straight away? If not, then go and drive one, see if you like it and want the car.
Just out of interest, have you looked at the genuine article? Not sure how much more expensive a real 356 would be, but I guess you might be able to get a reasonable one for not too much more??
I've not looked at a real 356 as I assume that I won't get a worthwhile enjoyable example for £15-£20K.
In the current market there appear to be lots of immaculate classic cars for that price range so the choice is vast.
What I'm afraid of is wasting a vendors time if I turn up and it isn't what I hoped for. I'm really hoping that someone who has owned one of these cars can tell me what to expect.
Most of these cars are for sale by private sellers and by the time I view, I want to feel more sure that I want one.
I don't want to be the time waster who goes to see a red car advertised as red and includes colour photos of the car in the advert to then go and kick the tyres and say I would like it if it wasn't red!!
In the current market there appear to be lots of immaculate classic cars for that price range so the choice is vast.
What I'm afraid of is wasting a vendors time if I turn up and it isn't what I hoped for. I'm really hoping that someone who has owned one of these cars can tell me what to expect.
Most of these cars are for sale by private sellers and by the time I view, I want to feel more sure that I want one.
I don't want to be the time waster who goes to see a red car advertised as red and includes colour photos of the car in the advert to then go and kick the tyres and say I would like it if it wasn't red!!
Eagerbeaver said:
My once concern is that you don't appear to get much car for your money. The cars I've seen have been £15-£20K and that sounds like a lot for a plastic tub on a Beetle chassis.
For similar money I can get a similar condition Kharmann Ghia, an 80s 911 or any number of British roadsters. All of which have been restored to new condition.
There are some amazing kit cars for a lot less. A GTM Libra for example (OK I realise it's not the same thing).
I sold my immaculate Boxster for about the money I would be paying for a 356 replica.
I guess I'm looking for some reassurance that it's money well spent as the 356 is a car I've always promissed myself.
It is a lot of money when you weigh up the car in kit form like that, but the smile it puts on your face and the fact it won't depreciate like a normal car may outweigh this? Only you can decide.For similar money I can get a similar condition Kharmann Ghia, an 80s 911 or any number of British roadsters. All of which have been restored to new condition.
There are some amazing kit cars for a lot less. A GTM Libra for example (OK I realise it's not the same thing).
I sold my immaculate Boxster for about the money I would be paying for a 356 replica.
I guess I'm looking for some reassurance that it's money well spent as the 356 is a car I've always promissed myself.
It'd make sense asking on here...
http://www.speedsters.com/
Google is your friend.
A Chesil Speedster IS expensive for what it is, certainly compared to what that money will buy you in terms of a production car or a classic
But as has been mentioned, if it puts the smile on your face then it is money well spent.
Stoneleigh show will be your best bet to have a close look... Both at the manufacturers stands and also theclub stand where you can chat with other owners... Who in my experience will happily discuss the merits and pitfalls of ownership.
Now, I really must get mine finished!
But as has been mentioned, if it puts the smile on your face then it is money well spent.
Stoneleigh show will be your best bet to have a close look... Both at the manufacturers stands and also theclub stand where you can chat with other owners... Who in my experience will happily discuss the merits and pitfalls of ownership.
Now, I really must get mine finished!
I bought a Chesil in 2009 for 16k stg after wanting one for years. The Speedster is my favourite car but there is no way that I could afford a genuine one (100k+). I thought long and hard about paying in the mid teens for a fibreglass beetle but in the end took the plunge. My car had the 1800cc engine, supposed to be 90bhp and the car was built by Chesil rather than a home built kit.
I loved the car and did lots of little jobs on it to improve it but in the end I missed having a quick car and sold it. advert: http://212.78.227.78/ads/car.php?id=6847
I have a Caterham now but still hanker after a Speedster replica for sunny days and touring holidays. I am planning on building my own replica this year (probably using the M+W body) and keeping my Caterham so I will have the best of both worlds!
I loved the car and did lots of little jobs on it to improve it but in the end I missed having a quick car and sold it. advert: http://212.78.227.78/ads/car.php?id=6847
I have a Caterham now but still hanker after a Speedster replica for sunny days and touring holidays. I am planning on building my own replica this year (probably using the M+W body) and keeping my Caterham so I will have the best of both worlds!
Well nobody so far has said "stay away - they are nasty" which is reassuring. If you've had one and want another it has obvioulsy left an impression.
It's also reassuring that you say you would like one for touring holidays as that's one of the uses I'd like to put it to also.
Is is possible to get a reasonable amount of heat into the cabon of one of these. Obvioulsy the hood is more of an emergency cover than a Boxster like hood which is always going to make it difficult to keep warm but using the traditional beetle heater system, I imagine there will be huge heat losses from getting heat from the back to the front.
Thanks for the comments so far.
It's also reassuring that you say you would like one for touring holidays as that's one of the uses I'd like to put it to also.
Is is possible to get a reasonable amount of heat into the cabon of one of these. Obvioulsy the hood is more of an emergency cover than a Boxster like hood which is always going to make it difficult to keep warm but using the traditional beetle heater system, I imagine there will be huge heat losses from getting heat from the back to the front.
Thanks for the comments so far.
After an aircooled mechanic noticed that the heater flaps on the heat exchangers were not opening he fixed them. Then the heat coming into the cabin via the vents on the sills and the windscreen vents was plenty even with the roof down. I drove mine during the winter time always with the roof down (and my heated seats on) and it was toasty warm.
To reduce wind buffeting it helped to always have the side windows up when on the move.
The heating is never going to be as good as a modern water cooled car but I never found it too cold that I had to put the roof up. Coldest temp I drove it in was about 0 degrees C outside!
To reduce wind buffeting it helped to always have the side windows up when on the move.
The heating is never going to be as good as a modern water cooled car but I never found it too cold that I had to put the roof up. Coldest temp I drove it in was about 0 degrees C outside!
jamesG20V6 said:
Also don't automatically assume that chesil is the one to have. In my opinion there are other less known manufacturer's around offering a good product, a better service and a better price.
Pilgrim does a 356 Speedster kit too.I know as I designed the kit 12 years ago. (with a little help from Ferdinand)
You can also try http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/index.php a forum for classic Porsche, but with a section for replicas
Thanks for the link.
Yes, I realise there are other manufacturers but there was one I drove many years ago built by a Company in the West Midlands. I forget their name but the car was bloody terrible. Lots of chassis flex, vague steering, distant brakes, not much power. It was nasty.
I've not seen a bad Chesil.
Yes, I realise there are other manufacturers but there was one I drove many years ago built by a Company in the West Midlands. I forget their name but the car was bloody terrible. Lots of chassis flex, vague steering, distant brakes, not much power. It was nasty.
I've not seen a bad Chesil.
Chesil have been working with another company called Inrekor to develop another more modern chassis for it. There are more article via google but pulled up this article about it. http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/...
Eagerbeaver said:
My once concern is that you don't appear to get much car for your money. The cars I've seen have been £15-£20K and that sounds like a lot for a plastic tub on a Beetle chassis.
For similar money I can get a similar condition Kharmann Ghia, an 80s 911 or any number of British roadsters. All of which have been restored to new condition.
There are some amazing kit cars for a lot less. A GTM Libra for example (OK I realise it's not the same thing).
I sold my immaculate Boxster for about the money I would be paying for a 356 replica.
I guess I'm looking for some reassurance that it's money well spent as the 356 is a car I've always promissed myself.
Have you ever driven a Beetle or Beetle based kit? If not Definatley have a drive in one and see what you think. I've not had any experience with a 356 replica myself, but I had another beetle based kit (Nova) and thats put me off anything beetle based for life! For similar money I can get a similar condition Kharmann Ghia, an 80s 911 or any number of British roadsters. All of which have been restored to new condition.
There are some amazing kit cars for a lot less. A GTM Libra for example (OK I realise it's not the same thing).
I sold my immaculate Boxster for about the money I would be paying for a 356 replica.
I guess I'm looking for some reassurance that it's money well spent as the 356 is a car I've always promissed myself.
I'm not sure what you get engine and handling wise for your £15/20,000? I tried ungrading the suspension and engine a bit on my Nova, but I didn't really feel as though I was really making much difference. In the end I sold it and Bought a £300 Ginetta which was miles better!!!
Still If you like the 356 replicas why not buy one and see how you get on, if you decide you dont like it you shouldnt loose any money on it when you sell.
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