Chesil 356 Speedster
Discussion
Anyone know anything about these?
I know it's not the 'real' thing, but I just love the looks of the 356, and can't help wondering if a good Replica would give 90% of the Classic experience without the expense of a pukka one.
It might be that rarest of things: a 'Porsche' that makes people wave and smile. ;)
Sam
I know it's not the 'real' thing, but I just love the looks of the 356, and can't help wondering if a good Replica would give 90% of the Classic experience without the expense of a pukka one.
It might be that rarest of things: a 'Porsche' that makes people wave and smile. ;)
Sam
What would you like to know.
We visited Chesil a number of times in the late 80's. It's an absolutely wonderful product and I recall Porsche Club Great Britain had a visit to them.
The ownership of the company in recent years has changed hands.
>> Edited by alloypearltam on Sunday 23 October 20:35
We visited Chesil a number of times in the late 80's. It's an absolutely wonderful product and I recall Porsche Club Great Britain had a visit to them.
The ownership of the company in recent years has changed hands.
>> Edited by alloypearltam on Sunday 23 October 20:35
One for sale here (Under Other marques) 
www.caterham.co.uk/showroom/preowned/index.htm
www.caterham.co.uk/showroom/preowned/index.htmI think the car that Mustard has picked up on is one of the later Speedsters. Chesil developed a new style seat at the time of the SVA (I think). Although it was not in keeping with an original period Speedster the seat was very comfortable.
That car appears to have been built on a historic beetle chasis, but difficult to tell if it is a beam axle car or IRS. All Factory built cars had Arnie Levic engines fitted to them and a 2.0 car would be pretty quick but not great on fuel.
>> Edited by alloypearltam on Sunday 23 October 20:42
That car appears to have been built on a historic beetle chasis, but difficult to tell if it is a beam axle car or IRS. All Factory built cars had Arnie Levic engines fitted to them and a 2.0 car would be pretty quick but not great on fuel.
>> Edited by alloypearltam on Sunday 23 October 20:42
Thanks for the info.
I'm starting from a point of complete ignorance.
Just seen one of two around, and was wondering what kind of runnning gear/chassis they used.
I have heard good things about the product, but did they only sell kits or did they do factory assembly also? Would this be preferable?
Saw this on ebay and got a little excited... just gorgeous IMO.
Its an idle day dream at the moment... but the mind can linger on what it would be like to have one parked outside a French sub Alpine cottage for the occasional summer jaunt.
hmmmmmmmm
>> Edited by s3am on Sunday 23 October 21:00
I'm starting from a point of complete ignorance.
Just seen one of two around, and was wondering what kind of runnning gear/chassis they used.
I have heard good things about the product, but did they only sell kits or did they do factory assembly also? Would this be preferable?
Saw this on ebay and got a little excited... just gorgeous IMO.
Its an idle day dream at the moment... but the mind can linger on what it would be like to have one parked outside a French sub Alpine cottage for the occasional summer jaunt.
hmmmmmmmm
>> Edited by s3am on Sunday 23 October 21:00
Ok here goes but remember I am thinking back 4 years ago so I could be rusty
Beetle Floor Pan - fully and beautifully refurbished if used, used is great because if you get one that is pre 197? then you get a nice historic plate
Engine is Beetle and the recommend Arnie Levic's (all fully refurbished). I kid you not that on one of my visits there was a car having an aircooled 911 engine fitted.
Running gear is all Beetle.
Yes they do build factory cars and the finish and attention to detail is superb. They had invested quite a lot of money in a new paint facility the last time I was there and had extended the premises quite extensively.
They built the car used in the film Wimbeldon and I recall Topgear rating the car very highly when the tested one back to back with the genuine article.
Not sure if you still can but at one point you could for a fee have period Porsche badges on the car (that was with Porsche's blessing)
Beetle Floor Pan - fully and beautifully refurbished if used, used is great because if you get one that is pre 197? then you get a nice historic plate
Engine is Beetle and the recommend Arnie Levic's (all fully refurbished). I kid you not that on one of my visits there was a car having an aircooled 911 engine fitted.
Running gear is all Beetle.
Yes they do build factory cars and the finish and attention to detail is superb. They had invested quite a lot of money in a new paint facility the last time I was there and had extended the premises quite extensively.
They built the car used in the film Wimbeldon and I recall Topgear rating the car very highly when the tested one back to back with the genuine article.
Not sure if you still can but at one point you could for a fee have period Porsche badges on the car (that was with Porsche's blessing)
there have been a number Ive seen up for sale recently with either lada or fiat engines, as apparently the mount points are very similar, and both these engines are better than beetle powerplants. hell,my blender is more powerful than a beetle engine.
in my humble O, the ones with the early seats are much nicer. ooo, and it should be black with red leather. i WILL have one, one day. nearly bought one from ebay for 8 grand tuther day. the only thing that stopped me is that i don't have 8 grand.
also, they do a speedster style like James dean expired in. gotta be worth anyones money to have a car you could legitimately write 'lil bastard' on, doncha think? doncha
in my humble O, the ones with the early seats are much nicer. ooo, and it should be black with red leather. i WILL have one, one day. nearly bought one from ebay for 8 grand tuther day. the only thing that stopped me is that i don't have 8 grand.
also, they do a speedster style like James dean expired in. gotta be worth anyones money to have a car you could legitimately write 'lil bastard' on, doncha think? doncha
nervous said:
also, one of my chums has a chum in leeds who has one with an impreza engine in it. take a moment to think about that gang. yum.
Yum, yes but the thought of one hurtling down a road a Scooby pace accompanied by that syncopated exhaust note also fills me with terror, for some reason.
It must have fun deploying all that power!
Sam
I am another GT3 (RS) owner who is looking at one of these, I think they look great and will be a great summer car.
I am moving to Oz in a few years and this would be an ideal car to take with me.
I want a silver with red, or black with red car. Chesil have a few on there site for sale.
Sean
I am another GT3 (RS) owner who is looking at one of these, I think they look great and will be a great summer car.
I am moving to Oz in a few years and this would be an ideal car to take with me.
I want a silver with red, or black with red car. Chesil have a few on there site for sale.
Sean
seandudding said:
I am another GT3 (RS) owner who is looking at one of these, I think they look great and will be a great summer car.
Hi Sean,
Silver/red or black/red would be the colours for me. You can't really get further from the GT3 experience in Porsche than one of these, but that's the point really isn't it?
Could you source one out in Oz or is it not too hard to ship it over with you? My Dad's just sent his 4 1/2 Litre 1928 Bentley out there for a Rally.
Sam
As the car is over 15 years old it is relativley cheap to ship over and no import duty to pay.
Most cars in Oz are LHD even though they drive RHD like we do.
I just think it would be a good car to drive around in the summer. I assume they are reliable.
I may just wait for one to come up on ebay.
Most cars in Oz are LHD even though they drive RHD like we do.
I just think it would be a good car to drive around in the summer. I assume they are reliable.
I may just wait for one to come up on ebay.
s3am said:
also, one of my chums has a chum in leeds who has one with an impreza engine in it. take a moment to think about that gang. yum.
Yum, yes but the thought of one hurtling down a road a Scooby pace accompanied by that syncopated exhaust note also fills me with terror, for some reason.
It must have fun deploying all that power!
your terror might come from the idea of scooby power and beetle brakes/suspension. now where did I put my parachute....
When I see these cars it reminds me of the MR2 Ferrari conversions ! absolute S***E to look at !- last time I saw one at the traffic lights I said - nice replica - how can you tell he asked - well I said its plastic looks nothing like a proper speedster , has volkswagen exhausts and sounds like one too !
If you look around you can buy a nice LHD coupe for 20k ish and it will still be worth that is 3 years time
dont kid yourself they look nothing like a 356
( Sorry Im biased Ive 5 years restoring a 356A )
tim
If you look around you can buy a nice LHD coupe for 20k ish and it will still be worth that is 3 years time
dont kid yourself they look nothing like a 356
( Sorry Im biased Ive 5 years restoring a 356A )
tim
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