Porsche 356 fiberglass replica to steel conversion?

[jagerocks]

Has anyone converted a FGLASS replica to real steel 356 panels from Trevor Hammer works or Restoration design.

[finster]

not sure what you mean by conversion? do you mean a metal body on a vw pan? I would think the cost of panels and their assembly would be prohibitive cost wise.

[Wolfgangdieter]

You'd be better off stuffing the seats with $100 bills. What would you gain? Buy one of the crusty rusty 356's that are out there and start replacing panels. When you are done you'd at least have a vehicle registered as a Porsche. Most replicas are based off a VW pan which is not close to the unibody construction used by Porsche. A fiberglass replica at about $30k is meant to be driven - the original now $150k cars not so much so.
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CMC '57 Porsche Speedster Replica and Dolphin boat tailed full pan VW MOD-T Street Buggy

[ALB]

While the outer shape is very similar (a lot of body panels are dead on), the under-structure is no where near the same so attachment points and supports aren't where they need to be. Hanging steel replacement sheetmetal on a replica also won't make it any nearer to a real P car either- it doesn't have an original vin # so it will always be a replica and never accepted by most Porsche owners, no matter how many original parts you hang on it. As Wolfgang suggested, either rebuild an original and accept the fact the car is now too expensive to drive the way it's meant to or build/buy a replica plastic Speedster (that almost no one can tell from the original and you can equip any way you want without worrying about what the purists think) and have fun with a fairweather car that will go anywhere, any time, be a blast to drive and gather attention everywhere you go.

As usual, just my 2 1/2 cents (I'm Canadian, eh!). Al
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On a lifelong mission to prove (much to my wife's dismay) that Immaturity is Forever!!

[jagerocks]

Ya I hear ya. Maybe the airs thinner here in Canada. I'm going for it anyways. It's going to be 3 generation project...my dad me and my son. Already have the front clip done so might as well keep going.

[ALB]

Very cool! Where in Canada are you? I live in the greater Vancouver area. Oh- and my name is Al
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On a lifelong mission to prove (much to my wife's dismay) that Immaturity is Forever!!

[finster]

what are you mounting those exterior panels onto? there must be about $9k of metal just in that front end...

[jagerocks]

I'm in Victoria. I tell I'm having so much fun. I do t care that the vin is vw. I already have many other 356s. This is just pure hobby farming. Also I'm installing inner hidden structures as you were asking. Wish your 9000$ was correct...more like 20000$ into it just on sheet metal from Trevor hammer works and Restoration Design. And no plans to stop. You see I'm not like your porsche bolt counters. I do this for fun. It's a great pleasure in building a 356. Try it.

[jagerocks]

[jagerocks]

Fit doors tonight

[ALB]

[Wolfgangdieter]

I keep eyeing my huge pile of aluminum beer cans I've accumulated - with fleeting thoughts of hammering them into an alloy 550 Spyder then I say heck NO and just grab another beer.
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CMC '57 Porsche Speedster Replica and Dolphin boat tailed full pan VW MOD-T Street Buggy

[SBD]