Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

So here's a guy that doesn't like to leave anything original - for me a factory product is a blank canvas waiting to be attacked.

I've been involved in the design and manufacture of speciality cars and Replicas all my life. retired in 2002 but I continue to serve previous business colleagues with design consultancy and other input.

I produced several Porsche replicas - including 356 Speedster [ first in the UK ], Convertible D, T6 Roadster and a spaceframed 550A Spyder. I'm still involved with a couple of consultancies here in the UK and in Germany. I'm currently reworking my California Speedster into an "Outlaw" style for limited production.

When I was in business [ retired and sold up 2002 ] I belonged to the other Porsche club, and as soon as I mentioned my replicas, it was suggested that the club wasn't the right place for me ! Although I did own a couple of real Porsches at the time.

I have just bought a Boxster from my German pal - and whilst at his factory working on the T6 Speedster Outlaw, we just happened to drop a set of moulds next to the Boxster ...........

So my question - before I lob £40 in your direction - am I likely to be blackballed ?

Welcome to the forums!

That's what I thought !! Many thanx for your acceptance. Our repertoire includes the ONLY Carroll Shelby approved replica Cobra, and various Classic Jaguars - D Type, XKSS and currently the C Type. We've just developed a version of the C Type [ CV8 ] using the Jaguar supercharged V8. Pix - Carroll in our RAM Cobra - sunny Essex - and our current C Type.

I now have my sights set firmly on the Boxster as future regs will make it almost impossible to market and sell a replica based on a non original chassis / running gear - no matter HOW superior to the original. I have also previously been involved with body swap cars - based on the Pontiac Fiero.

As soon as I get myself organised I'll be joining the club and hope to find a few like minded souls along the way.

Welcome to the forum and the Club.

It is all about people and a shared passion for cars. Original/modified/replica, you’ve chosen Porsche it doesn’t matter to us.

Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Thanx for the welcome.

I'm lucky, my early automotive / biking hobbies turned into real work ! And over 60 years later the passion hasn't diminished. I'M a bit slower and with shot knees [ American Football ], my 2 wheel days are coming to an end.

However, I have still worked on design development for other industry friends for the past 15 years since my "retirement" - and continue to do so. My previous German agent and lifelong friend has prototyped the 356 T6 Outlaw from my old California moulds and now wants me to take it into production. As previously stated - we also looked longingly at a Boxster as a potential donor.

I am also fortunate that another business colleague and friend [ UK ] has offered me the use of his not inconsiderable facilities and financial backing for the project [ s ].

It's a steep learning curve for me on the Boxster ..... but at the end of the day - it's just another car.

I have an old Porsche 968 and a BRA 289 Replica Cobra that is celebrating 30 years since I finished building it, in 2 weeks time. In TIPEC my 289 is welcomed and even admired at club events. They are a great bunch of people.

I also belong to Porsche Club GB but I don't think I know anybody else who is a member - says it all really.


David

David,

I always admired Gerry's products - first class. I had one of his first 289's in my showroom alongside my own FIA Cobra.

I think true enthusiasts will appreciate good work, no matter what the origin. Our RAM Cobra and D Types were accepted into Historic racing when they couldn't find enough "real" ones. Brabham reckoned our D was "better than the original". He drove it from the NEC to Silverstone and back for the Innes Ireland memorial rally.

Gerry was working for BRA when we bought our kit, but his Hawk cars have improved the replica business significantly. I see Gerry quite often these days.

Regards


David

Not sure if you've seen the beetle bodied Boxsters.
I quite fancy doing one of those in the future.

REALLY !!!!!!! Now there' a twist ! Thanx for the headsup - I'll check that out.

There are several problems with the old Beetle based replicas and kits - the obvious ones of archaic running gear and the expense of getting reliable power, decent 'ish handling and brakes etc.

Now the cost of a good donor had gone up - there is now the double whammy of ever tightening regulations.

The Boxster is sufficiently affordable to buy as a donor - and of course it already has good road manners and creature comforts. I suspect that quite a few owners of early cars might consider a body swap upgrade as an alternative to selling cheap and buying the next model up.

I am currently looking at the T6 Roadster body that we have for our Beetle based Outlaw as a suitable basis for a body swap exercise.

Until a few years ago I had a set of Kharmann Ghia moulds ..............................

My membership will be sorted in the next few days.Well, it's going to happen, looking at a 2.7 Boxster at the weekend for the donor car and the T6 Outlaw body is coming out of the moulds next week.

LOOKING FORWARD TO MY NEW PROJECT

Hi,

Welcome to the club, with a background like yours and the future ideas we have to get you to write us an article for the club magazine. I look forward to reading it.

Regards,

Mick