2ltr Porsche engined 550 spyder Replica

[fonz]

Andrew - What make is the replica? Very nice indeed!

[Andrew]

Its a Martin & Walker body with a 1 off custom tubular frame, built to recieve the type4 engine with clearance for the upright 911 cooling system.

To any interested parties, the cars Spanish vacation will be finishing in a couple of weeks and back in the Midlands area where i will be actively advertising it 'for sale'.

[fonz]

Ta.

Love the front vent inserts.

[914freak]

did this car ever sell?

[rally914]

its to good to sell keep it and live happy :

[beachcomber]

I've just subscribed to the DDK, and as you do was trawling thro' postings and messages, items for sale , etc.,etc. when I came accross the advert for the Black 550 replica posted by "Andrew". What a georgeous car.

Hmmm., seems that he has had a serious [ or should that be "selective"?]memory lapse - the car is in fact one of 6 built by Legend Motor Company. Chassis # LMC 047 003 550R 0792886 built in 1999. There are many photographs showing the building of this car in von Hauab's own archives.

The design was a liaison between Legend Motor Co. and Mohr Innovationnen of Germany back in 1995 and featured a full spaceframe chassis with styling cues taken from the 550A, independant rear suspension with cast alloy hub uprights [ Stylus] and coil over shox - the front was via Independant modified Beam with fully adjustable coil over gas shox [ as the rear]. The car was developed in parallel both in Germany and the UK, and after lying dormant in Mohr's workshops for 3 years - will soon be available again. The body was NOT a Martin Walker [ and where did they "splash" their copy from?], but taken from Mohr owned moulds by a GRP manufacturer in Kegworth [ Midlands]. The Prep / Paint was carried out by Dean Holloway in Redditch and the trim by Roy Fielding. The car was displayed on the Legend stand at the NEC Classic car Show in 2000. The chassis has 2 "secret" chassis # locations for the cynical.
So, far from being a "one-off", it is in fact # 3 of 6 produced by Legend, with 2 more pre-production cars built by Mohr in Germany. Mohr are currently finalising the production car, and it will be offered together with their 356 Roadster T6 replica [ and a Cobra - but who cares about that? ] in the new year. Full moulds and jigs for the 550A and T6 are maintained by Mohr Innovationnen in the Czech Republic.
The Roadster is the natural progression of the multitude of "Splashed" Speedster copies - featuring Roadster [ as Convertible D] windscreen, wind up windows, larger cockpit area with FULL size seats and fold down [ as original ] rear seats. The hood is copied from an original cantilever hood - and like everything else on the car - WORKS.
The moulds are NOT the multi-splashed "Sandwood" [ 1982] originals [ splashed by just about everyone else in the industry - including Chesil / ex-Street Beetle], but fresh moulds utilising the front end from the later "C" cars with taller front wings, squared off bonnet, etc.,etc.
Mohr were the original Sheldonhurst agents back in the '80's, and have been involved with the development of this car for over 20 years.. The original car is probably the rarest of the 356 series, only around 360 built before costings went ballistic. The car was dropped in favour of the cheaper [ and extremely ugly ] Cabriolet. The car will bring a fresh outlook to the squillions of Silver Speedster replicas around [ with Red trim of course].
[ with permission from the Historical Archives of Baron von Hauab.]
Beachcomber

[Pablo]

Beachcomber, do you have a link for this Mohr company?

[beachcomber]

Hi Pablo,
The T6 Roadster is being launched in the new year, as soon as website details are available I will pass them on. Ditto the 550A. I am awaiting the latest photos of the demonstrators. Again, as soon as I have them I will make them available.
I have been to the showrooms and workshop complex near Dresden - around 6000 sq. ft. of glass stainless steel and tiles, set in a 7 acre site - not your usual Kit Car manufacturer! In fact, the replica car side is a very small part of their overall core business - and is formed more from passion than commercoialism. The glass fibre and steel fabrication are carried out at their workshops in the Czech republic - just over the border. There will be a UK agent in the South of England - again, their website and details will follow as soon as I have them. I can reveal that the cars will be marketed as "Classic Roadsters" - that should shake the establishment up a bit! In the meantime, I will be happy to answer what questions I can - their English is not so good!
They have also been busy importing and making many repro parts for 356's which they will be willing to sell on to anyone - whatever they are building.
Beachcomber

[Car Collector]

Having only recently joined, I thought I would have a look and see whether anyone knew anything about possible 550 manufacturers and I noticed the discussion on the black 550 replica belonging to Andrew. I personally saw this car at the NEC Classic Car Show some years back and was extremely impressed with the chassis design and fabrication, and also the perfection of the body. In Black as well, brave men!

Secondly, I decided just over a year ago to look at a 550 as a possible option because of the many poor quality (my view) 356 copies on the market (no disrespect intended) to keep my 911 company in the garage - by the time I was in a position to do something about it, all the manufacturers seemed to have disappeared. Does anyone know of any other UK / European manufacturers of 550's? Only interested in mid-engine / aircooled.
With all due respect to Banham, I don't think I could ever contemplate a replica that didn't at least have some thread of a connection with the original (body style apart that is).
That aside, I am probably a bit to old now to get down and in to a 550 so maybe I better go back to the 356 yearning! I am very interested in the Mohr 356 that has been in the press recently (and discussed in the forum here) which looks fabulous! Anyone have any more details? Also very interested in the item about the boot racks! I bet the genuine owners would also cut their left arm off for one of decent quality - They are like Rocking Horse poo - Bloomin difficult to find!!

[Gone in 60 seconds]

Barry Martin at MArtin and Walker is still producing them selectively - give him a call

[mightyspyder]

Too old? Bah, humbug! I'm collecting my OAP, have two kevlar/titanium knee replacements, a fused spinal disc section and a b a a a d golf swing. Yet I still drive my Martin & Walker spyder whenever it isn't raining. It's been to France so many times it knows its own way and continues to provide a kick like no other. You should buy one! I like it so much I'm having another one built to personal spec.

[martinpcraven]

As it seems that I have pre-empted my own company launch date somewhat inadvertantly by responding to a club forum, I thought it would be sensible to make people aware of my links with Mohr Innovationen and the imminent launch of our 550A Spyder replica. The full story will be kindly published by Bootsy in an upcoming Fanzine.

The Black 550 Spyder model as advertised by "Andrew" has been developed by Mohr over the past 5 years for the European market. It features a multi-tube chassis with independent beam front axle and unequal wishbone rear with Mohr designed and manufactured cast alloy hub uprights.

We will be making the car available as a very comprehensive kit, rolling body / chassis, or for those who wish - a turnkey car.

With all due respect to the recently announced US kit [VERY nice in fact - looks top quality] - OUR car will be somewhat cheaper at around £ 5.5K for the kit, and £19K ['ish] for a turnkey.

An alloy body HAS already been developed for this chassis [+ £8K 'ish]. FULL details will be available on our upcoming website [www.classicroadsters.co.uk] and will be kindly published by Bootsy in an upcoming "Fanzine". Happy to provide further information to anyone interested.

Its closest to 'real' if its done in 'steel!!!

[coolblue]

Andrew,

I also live in Spain, where abouts are you? I may be able to help with registration etc,

email me at info@volkstuning.com

[beachcomber]

Sorry for any confusion , my posting re: THIS car was directed to 550 Spyder by my error [ actually, haven't a clue about computers ].

So I'll start all over - what ever happened to this car? I understand it might have changed hands a couple of times and may have been stripped. Also, would like to know if it is still Black or been changed? I would like to do my new 550 in Black, but don't want to be a Twin if I can help it - rapidly running out of ideas for colour / theme for my car! The Fletcher car was one idea , but Axel in Germany has already done that one [Gott im Himmel].

Anyone got any ideas?????? PS ANYONE who suggests Silver will be shot at dawn.
Beachcomber

[Andrew]

F.A.O. Martin P Craven.

Having just returned to the site after nearly 12 months of absence and a number of postings laying claim or implying an involvement in the production and development of my car, I would like to give you or your associated company the opportunity to substantiate your claim in its involvement.

I'm sure you will appreciate, the car was not bought as a 'turnkey' car and as the writer of many cheques, the person who spent nearly 5 years dealing with many companies and someone who had to call in many favours, I feel I am better placed than any when it comes to who should take credit for its production. I'm sure you will understand that If my car is being used as an advert for a company I have never heard of before and one which claims to be responsible for its development, I and I'm sure other admirers of my car, would like to know a little more.

in anticipation, Andrew