Porsche 550 Spyder Replica - Powered by classic Rapid engine

[Nicklong]

Bought as a rolling chassis that had been abandoned by the 2nd owner, I have over the past couple of years totally rebuilt a Banham 130 kitcar. For those who dont know this was a replica of the 1955 Porsche Spyder that James Dean killed himself in!

 

Attached are a few pictures of the build a few months ago. However it is now painted, fully trimmed and ready to enjoy this Summer.

 

The donor car for many of these Banham kits was the Estelle or Rapid. Mine is fitted with a reconditioned 135 engine and replacement weber carb over the awful Jikov!

I wasted months trying to get the jikov set up so that it ran the same each day. In just a couple of hours, the weber 30dic was fitted, set up and is proving totally reliable.

 

Other parts from the Skoda are the suspension, brakes, cooling, wiring, clocks etc. The colour coding of the wiring loom took some working out. I guess the Cheqs never understand the rule of colour continuity!

Edited 14 April, 2015 by Nicklong

[Mikek3111]

Very nice. Hope you update your progress as you go. Will be very interested to see how it progresses. Looks like it will be a very nice motor when complete. Good luck

[faradaycage]

Bought as a rolling chassis that had been abandoned by the 2nd owner, I have over the past couple of years totally rebuilt a Banham 130 kitcar. For those who dont know this was a replica of the 1955 Porsche Spyder that James Dean killed himself in!

 

Attached are a few pictures of the build a few months ago. However it is now painted, fully trimmed and ready to enjoy this Summer.

 

The donor car for many of these Banham kits was the Estelle or Rapid. Mine is fitted with a reconditioned 135 engine and replacement weber carb over the awful Jikov!

I wasted months trying to get the jikov set up so that it ran the same each day. In just a couple of hours, the weber 30dic was fitted, set up and is proving totally reliable.

 

Other parts from the Skoda are the suspension, brakes, cooling, wiring, clocks etc. The colour coding of the wiring loom took some working out. I guess the Cheqs never understand the rule of colour continuity!

Its very rare I get car envy,but.....that is one very desirable vehicle...well done !

[Mikek3111]

I was thinking just the same.... I want one....I want one....I want one...

Maybe a lottery win is due?

[B33fy]

Love the look of these, bought a donor 136 to start one a few years ago, never got round to it. All the best with sorting it, a nice car.