It’s a fake. A replica, an impostor and I don’t care, it’s fucking cool. So is Nick.
Mr. Maggio aka Mr. A Time to Get stopped by my office in Beverly Hills (it’s actually my business partner Ali’s office) while I was working out that way last week. Eventually the conversation turned to cars and Nick told me about his Speedster. Growing up in Ohio there was a guy down the street from me that had a white Porsche 356 replica built on a Volkswagen chassis that I always loved. Nick’s car was custom built on an original 1956 VW frame by the guys at Automotive Legends in California, who also make reproduction versions of the Porsche 550 Spyder and a 550 Coupe. Speaking of the 550 Mr. Maggio says, “[I] test drove the 550 Spyder and it was crazy FAST.”
Aesthetically speaking, Nick’s Speedster is totally on point – from the rich blue paint job to the wood steering wheel and the leather hood straps. Not to mention the 1962 Yale parking permit, which is also a recreation, but a nice touch.
When asked about his unusual (but great looking) choice for a daily driver, Nick contends his ride is the “ultimate recession car.” His rationale? “It’s 32 bucks a month to insure, gets 30 miles to the gallon and if somebody opens their door into me, I don’t care, I go buy another door.” How do people react when they see you driving down the street? “I get a lot of camera phone pictures at stop lights.” he says. “I bet,” I murmur, as I snap photos of the car.
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Gorgeous. I love that blue.
Good golly, that’s aweseome.
This is so beautiful.
Did you ask him how much it set him back to do the whole thing? Would love to do something similar.
Replica or not…that is a thing of beauty. Well done my friend.
Ridiculous cool – these cars are stunning. Too bad it’s no good for a baby seat. Damn baby ;)
Nice Bean Blucher Mocs, Michael.
My favorite car of all time…but I would feel like a douche driving a replica. It’s still super cool looking though.
Someday soon (hopefully) a 550 replica will be mine. And while I’m down with replicas, I think I’d be more likely to get a “real” 356 coupe than a Speedster replica, which can be had lately for about the same price as a well-made Speedster repro.
This blue is wonderful though, maybe I should reconsider.
those leather straps are sexy to the max!
amazing car, obviously, but where is that jacket from? it’s looks great.
I think an early Heuer Autavia would work better with it though than the military chrono. Personal thing.
what a beaute!
I don’t mind replica anything, but especially cars… if it looks as good and goes as fast, HOT DAMN you have a ‘porsche’ for less.
good stuff
THIS WEBSITE OFFICIAL JUMPED THE SHARK.
“… I don’t care, its fucking cool. So is Nick.”
right.
Gerry,
If you are going to talk shit….
http://bit.ly/ku9B5
Learn it, live it, love it.
I may be a tad rusty…but I believe the french would say “Vous etes un sac de douche”
Damn cool car – regardless if it’s a replica. I was surprised how reasonably priced they were. Thanks for sharing.
Of course it would be the light in the street !! That COOL real real .
For someone who love’s Nick so much you seem awfully keen to point out that his car’s fake. It’s the first thing you mention (three times)!
A touch of the green eyed monster prehaps? Let him have his time in the sun. The majority of the people on here, me included, would have thought it the real thing if you hadn’t mentioned it.
Are those fake Vans too?
Russell Sprouts,
Your response to Gerry made me smile after a day of not… Ha! Hats off to you!
In Southern California, real 356s are plentiful. More came here than stayed in Germany. Speedsters are, indeed, expensive, but I got a ’63 coupe – the real deal, in mint condition – for the same price as a replica speedster. 8 years now as my daily driver and hasn’t missed a beat. So if you’re an authenticity nut, you can stay true. That said, if I had a replica I’d be less paranoid about door dings – as he said in the article.
That car will look really good as it ages i’ll bet.
I don’t understand the expired Yale parking permit though.
Every time I see a 356, I feel some kind of emptiness inside. Need one.
Nothing wrong with a replica, as many aficionados will attest. The 356 grew out of the VW, so there’s nothing wrong with continuing to build them on the same (shortened) pans, especially when the original manufacturer no longer cares to produce them. Many who have owned both originals and replicas have nothing but praise, if not even preference, for the latter.
That said, there are varying degrees of quality in the replica market. Intermeccanica is generally considered the finest (and priciest), while the others, all with their pros and cons, still command respect.
It should be noted that Automotive Legends is a re-seller (as I understand it) of 356s produced by Vintage Speedsters (www.vintagespeedsters.com). Just to keep the record straight.
Anybody wishing for, or considering, a replica (I myself have been pining for about five years) should consult the masters at http://www.speedsterowners.com. A fine bunch of guys who are eager to help out those who are new to “the madness” as they like to call it. This article is a great place to start:
http://speedsterowners.com/reviews/newbies.asp
That car is amazing – well it all is – the manicured lawn, the length of his pants, the car.
Nick is a bad ass! Never knew about his ride til now. So jealous.
although I have no need for a car I still think about when I will have an opportunity/need to own one again. hopefully it is something impractical like this.
…and Greg, I believe the jacket is the Steven Alan Rain Slicker.
Man, I know he got that thing out of a comic book.
If I had to pick two kids up from school I wonder if I could squeeze them both into the front passenger seat?
Greetings from Spain. Congratulations for the blog.
And here are some sites for those who want the real deal:
http://www.356registry.com
http://www.porsche356club.org
http://www.europeancollectibles.com
Truly a fantastic looking car. I’ve thought about getting one for a daily driver (strictly for the JD spirit, mhm) and there is no info i can find about using them as a DD.
Did Nick mention anything about its run as a daily driver?
thanks.
What is the point of a fake Yale parking sticker?
To get free parking should Nick find himself back in 1962.
ACL
Cool car.
Just slightly off topic what is Nick’s tattoo of?
Well, I know exactly what this dude is experiencing because I too have a 356 Speedster – an Intermecannica, considered to be the best in the business. Anyone who says they’d feel like a “douchebag” driving a replica do not understand the benefits – namely: a new 170BHP engine, new frame (the IM uses a frame they design, not a donor car), new leather (Spinneybeck), new brakes, NO RUST, totally RELIABLE, light, and most of all MORE FUN because it runs all the time and one doesn’t have the ANAL factor of being OBSESSED with something over fifty years old. My 356 turns EVERY head on the street, men, women, children, infants, even animals. It’s the coolest car ever with SOUL.
Unfortunately, I lost my job in January after 25 years and am forced to sell it. Funny, this dude has the same name as I do. Small world getting smaller.
So slick!
The Yale sticker makes it work for me.
That pant length is tough to pull off, but he is doing it with ease.
Great speedster you got there !
Which engine you have? 1.6 or 1.9?
Please tell us more about your driving impressions?
Enjoy it.
MUITO BONITO SEU CARRO, SOU DO BRASIL E TENHO UMA RÉPLICA DO 356 (BECK’S) SILVER COLOR, WHICH ENGINE 1.9.
PARABÉNS POR SEU CARRO.
Awesome car replicas are much better than the originals and much more reliable believe me I had an original coup and a grease rag with me all the time. Purchased an Intermecannica and just gas and go as well as great support from the Manufacture of my Intermecannica.
Thank You.