DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Hi guys,

I've got a 1979 Porsche 928 manual which is my pride and joy, and is just completing a full glass-out, doors off repaint in its beautiful original Hellblau metallic... BUT to go with her I have got the itch for a 550 spider big time.

I've been and registered on spyderowners.com, spyderclub.com and read most of where Google takes you when searching about these beautiful cars.

I have also scanned / read the last 20 pages or so of DDK's Replicas forum, and just thought I would ask for some advice.

I have up to £20k for the right car (cash waiting). I'm not interested in building it, I want something to drive.

So far in my searches it seems that mint condition new-build Beck / Chamonix cars are offered at around £30k. In the US a similar thing is often only $25k (like the 1967 on Fantasy Junction).

The Beck / Chamonix seem to be the market leaders, but Martin & Walker are also very highly regarded, although as a kit each finished car will of course vary in engine trim, fit, finish etc. A vgc looking M&W was sold last May at auction for £19k.

So far the 2 cars that have caught my eye are

M&W (1968 reg) with CB 2l Type 4, scruffy paint

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2615803.htm

Going to see this on the weekend. The vendor has told me it drives really well, but the paintwork is a bit crazed and needs redoing, although as you can see it looks great from 10 feet. Comes with a £5k bill from CB for the engine.

The other car that caught my eye is

Chamonix / Beck 2008 press car with 2l Type 4, mint

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2581370.htm

Looks absolutely superb in every respect but obviously not a M&W. Could it be bought for £20k? Possibly.

I would really welcome any thoughts on any of these cars. Frustratingly, the car that looked perfect for me is the one that sold in the auction

http://www.classic-auctions.com/Auction ... 29808.aspx

Thanks in advance for any comments or tips.

Cheers,

Joel

Re the auctioned car you 'missed'

Being based on 1971 Porsche mechanicals this evocation is identified as a Porsche on the accompanying V5C Registration Document and comes with MOT certificate valid until July 2010 and historic class (free) road tax.

Loosely translates as "the builder didn't want the hassle of SVA/IVA so ignored it and drove around with the government believing that this is still the donor porsche that gave some of its mechanicals or just its chassis number in the hope that he never got stopped by the police or had an MoT refused because the car didn't match the V5 description".

Extreme interpretation yes, and the chances of being randomly stopped are remote, but for your sake - if you ever have an accident - please make sure that the V5 description accurately matches what the car _now_ is or you have a copy of the SVA/IVA pass certficate. e.g. Porsche M&W speedster, or VW M&W speedster, not just VW or Porsche.

Now, i'm not claiming to be a saint and built my Chesil before SVA, but it was inspected, re-registered and is correctly described on the V5 as a VW Chesil Speedster.

Unfortunately SVA/IVA that means that a recent build won't have free road tax.

I'd make sure the first car is correctly registered but the second car certainly sounds to be.

Be wary that some import "businesses" are registering new cars as old porsches in friendly US states and then using that questionable registration to get them registered in the uk...

Now, none of this may bother you, and don't get me wrong I love speedster and spyder replicas, but better to know the facts.

Simon

Hi Sam,

Thanks for the link. I've seen the red one, doesn't work for me I'm afraid, it needs to be silver or white.

Any thoughts on the £12k M&W one?

Joel

Hi Joel,
There is a massive difference in the price of those two cars? My thoughts on the £12k one, if there are cracks in the paint or crazing I wouldn't touch it! It is normally the sign that the gel coat is cracked or crazing which (some one correct me if I'm wrong?) cost a load of money to put right. As for the other one I think its over priced, don't rush in and regret it wait and find the right one.
As for the one that sold at auction for me (and this is MOPO) I would have paid that little extra having Porsche on the V5 and the tax disc and not VW or something else just swings it. As it was built pre-SVA it will say manufacturer as the donor vehicle in this case Porsche

Good luck with your search and keep us posted

http://www.replicarhellas.com/pages_eng ... /index.htm

worth a look even if it is only for a few ideas