1968 356 Speedster 'Replica' (LHD)

The original Porsche Speedster was a stripped down, roadster version of the 356 and became hugely successful in America, both as a road car and also for amateur race drivers competing in S.C.C.A. events. Built at the instigation of Porsche's American distributor Max Hoffman, the spartan Speedster went head to head with the best European sports cars of the day, from Alfa Romeo to the TR Triumphs. With dependable German mechanicals, minimal weight and great handling, the Speedster often beat much larger opposition and enjoyed a long and successful competition career through the Fifties and beyond. Over the years, the values of original Speedsters have soared and collectors will now part with huge sums to own one of these classic 'bathtub' Porsches. As the price of genuine Speedsters moved beyond the reach of the average enthusiast, a niche market for replicas developed over the past 30 years, with America the home of the best Speedster kits. With the supply of Volkswagen donor parts both cheap and plentiful, the majority of these replicas combine accurate fibreglass bodywork with modified Beetle floorpans and running gear - appropriate enough given the 356 was a originally derived from the Beetle in the first place.