We know Speedster Replicas, and this one is spectacular in every way.
This particular Speedster replica is a rare car, having been built by Martin and Walker of Thruxton - one of the lesser known of the manufacturers, but for those who know, they'll be aware that they were one of the best replica manufacturers globally, and without doubt the best in the UK by some margin. Most notably is the fact that unlike other replicas, these cars have a body shape and panel gaps that are a fantastic likeness to that of an original car, and the quality of the fibreglass is superb.
Although not a new-build, and originally built in 1998 using a shortened 1967 VW chassis, the car has had a serious amount of work completed for it to be the car you see today. Added to which, being an older build means that it was built prior to the introduction of the onerous SVA/IVA. Having been inspected by DVLA in 2004 (post SVA/IVA) as part of a plate change request, the car retains historical vehicle status and remains registered as a 1967 VW Convertible, resulting in it being tax-free, ULEZ-free and MOT exempt.
Today, the car is presented in an Outlaw guise with superb metallic Astral Silver paintwork grey racing stripes, and an interior freshly re-trimmed in a red leather of the highest quality at a cost of £5k including carpets. As such, this car is an absolute eyeful and garners positive remarks wherever it goes.
Sitting on unmarked 5.5J ET25 alloy wheels with polished rims, the car is de-chromed, lowered, de-bumpered, fitted with a wing mounted racing mirror, Smith gauges (changed at 1,870 miles), bonnet straps, headlight grills, spotlights, racing fuel cap and featuring many original 356 parts including door handles, rear lights, and number plate lamp. The £2.2k low-bow roof is new and gives the perfect. silhouette when up or down. It is accompanied by both a new tonneau and hood cover. Supplied with a protective case, the windows are of the drop-in variety, adding to its authentic looks.
Move to the underside of the car, and you'll see it has been professionally TetraSealed.
Mechanically, the car has been spoilt during its most recent 7-year ownership, having only ever been fettled by Precision Porsche, with invoices totalling approximately £9k. This was spent servicing and improving the car wherever possible, with the most recent service completed in June 2023.
The air-cooled VW Type 4 engine (as fitted to the Porsche 914) has big bore barrels and pistons, taking the engine capacity to 2050cc which is fed by twin 40mm DRLA carburettors. It has a 280-degree camshaft, a lightened flywheel, and a horizontal Axial Cooling System by Reichart Tuning, all of which is mated to a stainless steel Vintage Speed sports exhaust.
On the move, the car is superbly compliant for such a car. It's actually one of the very few Speedster replicas I would be happy to travel long distances in. The suspension is nicely taught, the steering is direct with good feel, it pulls extremely well and has an impressively naughty exhaust sound.
For security purposes the car is fitted with an immobiliser.
Having only had two owners since 2004, the car has covered a mere 8,000 miles since its original build. The history file is extensive, and goes back to 2000, including a 6-page article in Ultra VW article from 2004 where it notes the car was previously owned by two Porsche Motorsport competitors (bringing the total owners since build to 4).
The car will be sold with the valuable registration number '356 RSY', two keys, a vast folder of historical paperwork, and a new no-advisory 12-month MOT. It will also undergo our rigorous Pre-Delivery Inspection prior to purchase, and be accompanied by a 12-month market leading, extendable warranty.
PLEASE VISIT WWW.AUTOVERO.CO.UK FOR FULL SERVICE HISTORY DETAILS, MORE INFO, VIDEO AND IMAGES
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30 май 2024
