Porsche 356 Speedster: An iconic shape

There have been many shapes and sizes in the automotive history but only a few serve as an inspiration for future car design. But just a handful of those are so legendary that they are even replicated to the extent where the phrase 'copyright infringement' is under serious interpretation.

Porsche 356 Speedster Replica, some call this the Super Wide-Body.

We have seen the company Eagle leap into the car enthusiasts world when their Jaguar E-type inspired bespoke Eagle Speedster and Low Drag GT where featured in the - no introduction needed - TV show Top Gear. But there are many other companies that build cars which almost copies the shape of, usually, an iconic sports car. And to that note, I spotted a very beautiful Porsche 356 replica at a Porsche meet. I'm not a Porsche enthusiast and I don't mind a replica as long as it's exquisitely done, but I just can't help but wonder what the Porsche drivers in that meet thought about it. Maybe they turned their noses up at it, I don't know.

You could park a big block V8 in that rear end.

This one as you can see is not a straight up replica of the 356 Speedster. It has a much wider body, flared wheel arches, chrome bits missing in places and some chrome bits added. It is a much more track focused aggressive look compared to the original 1954 design 356A Speedster. Also I think it looks much more rounded and, dare I say, cuter than the original. Okay, there's quite a lot of bling going on as well. Even moles in their tunnels could see those wheels and the grills in front of the headlamps makes it look like a hamster going into battle. But somehow it works and adds character to the design. The elegant design from the 50's has been converted to something that could be described as childish. I like it.

The interior looks fantastic. Notice the driving gloves.

As for the performance, well, the original 356 produced between 1948 and 1965 had a power out put between 40 and 130 horsepower from engines ranging from a small 1.1 to a 2.0 litre four cylinder. As for the replica the engine can technically be whatever fits in the boot, but usually it is of the same size and out put as the original. Iets be honest it's more about looking good than going fast in this thing anyway.

A good Porsche 356 replica as this is quite expensive, nearly as expensive as an original in... ahem, not show room condition. So as a toy to show off a couple of times a year it is pricey. And then there's the problem of answering to a person who asks what it is. You have to say 'It's a Porsche 356 Speedster... Replica'. And I don't think I could live with that.

And finally, this is what an original Porsche 356 Speedster 1600 Super looks like.