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VWPORSCHEGT3

Banned
Joined
Mar 22, 2012
Messages
1,018
Location
Gardnerville, NV
Im glad i finally was able to find a sentence calling it a replica... I was worried about posting discrepencies about the car and by no means am I a 550 expert but the VW guy in me immediately recognized the aftermarket discs, type 1 engine etc etc and so forth and hither-to ... though i have a long standing dis-agreement with my wife about a 550 kit car (she believes that replica's are a rip-off of the original and there for should be viewed as ****, as where i believe as a vw and car guy in general that it doesn't matter what it is, if you love it and enjoy it , who cares what everyone thinks..i just wouldn't put Porsche badges and emblems on it) I would build a 550 repli-car in a heartbeat, just because they look like SO MUCH FUN! :)



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type550

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 19, 2010
Messages
141
Location
Melbourne Australia
I am very much a 550 enthusiast and know there is a big difference from a replica/kit car/ tribute car/ spyder reproduction or anything else someone wants to call it, to an original.

I find it a bit pointless going to all the effort of trying to make a car look authentic and period correct and then put some crappy replica builder badges on it. I love my car for what it is and will keep improving it in looks and finish. At least with a replica I can take it out each Sunday and blow out the bad week I have had, without the thought of worrying about driving a $4M car.

I have driven both and original and a replica and honestly there is not much difference in the feel and power. As only 90 originals were built, I don't try and pass mine as one of them!
 

VWPORSCHEGT3

Banned
Joined
Mar 22, 2012
Messages
1,018
Location
Gardnerville, NV
I am very much a 550 enthusiast and know there is a big difference from a replica/kit car/ tribute car/ spyder reproduction or anything else someone wants to call it, to an original.

I find it a bit pointless going to all the effort of trying to make a car look authentic and period correct and then put some crappy replica builder badges on it. I love my car for what it is and will keep improving it in looks and finish. At least with a replica I can take it out each Sunday and blow out the bad week I have had, without the thought of worrying about driving a $4M car.

I have driven both and original and a replica and honestly there is not much difference in the feel and power. As only 90 originals were built, I don't try and pass mine as one of them!


hope you weren't feeling like i was attacking you or your car, i enjoy these cars as much as those who are really into them , and yours is a beautiful example.

I love the idea of a replica that you can flog the hell out of. again i hope you didn't take my comment as an attack, sorry if it came out that way.
 
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type550

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Jul 19, 2010
Messages
141
Location
Melbourne Australia
No probs - no offence taken! I get as much of a kick out of a well sorted replica, VW or Porsche. When it comes to car people, they are a breed of their own and everyone has their own passion which makes the car scene very interesting!
 
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type550

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 19, 2010
Messages
141
Location
Melbourne Australia
The panel fabrication is coming along. The first one was done in about 6 hours - all by hand. Just a bit more bending and cutting to make it fit perfectly







... and this is how it will look when finished-

 

Kaikman

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 20, 2013
Messages
59
Location
Ohio
Amazing car and a truly inspiring space for it to call home! Thanks for sharing all of your innovative ideas.
 

VMX42

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2011
Messages
50
Location
Sydney, Australia
I haven't posted for a while, but after doing a panel fabrication course, I am going to try my hand at making some inner panels for my Spyder plus a tonneau out of aluminium. I have just ordered an english wheel and I have most of the other tools to start - let the games begin:eyecrazy:


Hey Spyder,
Can you give me some more details on the panel fabrication course?
I am interested in aluminium fabrication as well.

Any info would be much appreciated,
Cheers,
VMX42
 

N0tt0N

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 26, 2013
Messages
229
Location
DC
Just caught up on this thread. What a wonderful transformation of a one Porsche garage. Well done!
 
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type550

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Joined
Jul 19, 2010
Messages
141
Location
Melbourne Australia
Hey Spyder,
Can you give me some more details on the panel fabrication course?
I am interested in aluminium fabrication as well.

Any info would be much appreciated,
Cheers,
VMX42

Hi VMX42

The weekend course I did was great. It showed me how to beat the hell out of a sheet of aluminium and to shape it with basic hand tools - the rest is trial and error, but to date there hasn't been too many errors. Each piece just takes a lot of planning and you have to make accurate paper patterns to ensure each piece fits. I did the course at a local restoration company here in Melbourne Australia - worth every cent!





 

VMX42

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2011
Messages
50
Location
Sydney, Australia
Hey 550,
Do you have contact details for the resto company in Melb? I am in Sydney but a weekend is Melb isn't out of the question.

Keep up the posts - great stuff.
Cheers,
VMX42
 
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crille_hallden

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 3, 2013
Messages
45
Location
Huskvarna, Sweden
Hello.

Is it ok if i hijack your thread? :)

I have a real pegasus (sign) old vintage molded in glasfiber.
Only the pegasus 3d wall sign.

Was in an old Mobil oil storage.

Do you think any one is intrested in that item?
Otherwise i hang it up in my garage next year when is complete... :)

Best regards from Sweden.
 
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type550

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 19, 2010
Messages
141
Location
Melbourne Australia
Hi Crille,

lots of people would love an original Pegasus, but the cost to send it is always expensive - especially to Oz!

Thanks for the compliments on the fit out guys. I would love to have more space for some serious tools like an English Wheel, but like any space, the more you have, the more you fill and the more messy it looks. I have a good habit at the end of each day of cleaning up and putting everything away, even if I am half way into a project. It is always nice to walk in the next day and know where all your tools are so you don't spend the first hour searching!
 

dhubbard422

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 16, 2011
Messages
472
Location
Texas Hill Country
Just wanted to express my kudos to you for your garage build, your beautiful car and your newly acquired fabrication skills! This thread was an enjoyable read!
 
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type550

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 19, 2010
Messages
141
Location
Melbourne Australia
It has been a while since my last post and the fabrication of the alloy spyder interior is nearly complete - I will post some pics in coming weeks of the finished result. I am always on the look out for cool gadgets, toys and garage accessories and I have found during the resto that if you are not completely organised, some pieces do go missing! Recently I have invested in a really cool trolley from Ikea - it is called the Raskog kitchen trolley which is made from powder coated steel. It is excellent for keeping your project tools plus parts you disassemble in one place - 3 different buckets to fill and on wheels. Every garage needs at least one...

 

600SL

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2012
Messages
1,794
Location
Connecticut
Love this thread nice shop and cars. About 35 years ago I had the opportunity to work on a 556 looked just like that. What were the differences.
 
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type550

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 19, 2010
Messages
141
Location
Melbourne Australia
I just got a new scissor hoist installed into my garage. I have wanted one for a long time but to find one that would fit the space was a challenge and to justify the cost which would allow me to work on the spyder myself.

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Over the last few years I have learned some panel fabrication and made many parts for the spyder in aluminium. With the help of an english wheels and other tools, eventually I am happy with the results.

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I still try hard to maintain a clean workshop which helps with the creative process...

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Ralf99

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 14, 2011
Messages
439
Location
S.W.Victoria, Australia
The sheet metal has come up a treat. I'm sure it must be very satisfying to stand back and admire the fruits of your own labours. An English Wheel is on my want list - along with the talent to use one.
 
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