I don’t know why everyone says stuff like “its only a replica your exaggerating” its actually good that its a replica, because it actually benefits the REAL ones. Because these get driven more than real ones, expanding the love for the platform at carmeets/ carshows. :)
All Good Points - But ANYONE Can Drive; Only A Few...Can Race - Your Neighbor, Mailman, Gardener Race @ Goodwood, Willow Springs, Pomona, or Laguna Seca? Mine Neither...But l Have Raced @ 1 Track a Few Times(Guess Which)
I worked with Eric, knew he was talented and was really into cars. I respected him even more when I learned that he worked hard his whole life to get to where he's at today. This guy is the real deal and it's wonderful to witness his passion for the driving experience. Thank you Petrolicious.
My dad also, cares very little about cars. He looks at cars kinda like I look at refrigerators and ovens. A car is an appliance to him. I got bitten when I was given a Matchbox car when I was very young. I've been a car guy all my life and my family thinks I'm weird. I helped a friend build a James Dean 550 Spyder replica about 17-18 years ago. He taught me quite a bit about body work and fabrication. it turned out to be a beautiful car which is probably better than the original. This video just took me back in time.
Oh man, banjo style steering wheel, aluminum dressed interior, "wide-5" brakes, correct VDO style gauges and a proper big-bore dual carb VW engine with 911 style fan shroud! So simple and so tastefully done. I long have loved the 550 and if I ever built one, I don't think it would be much different than this. Kudos to Petrolicious for highlighting a replica 550 owner (period) let alone one with such passion for the marque! Eric, on the odd chance that you read this, Herbie was my gateway to a love of all things automotive also. I've owned my "Herbie" now for half my life and it's never too late to build your own tribute to "The Douglas Special." (o\5!3/o)
I understand the feeling this guy is explaining, I feel the same thing when I drive my beach/street buggy, my dad used to hate it until I "forced" him to drive it by sitting in the passenger seat.. when we were finished driving, he had the biggest smile ever and just said; "now I understand"
Wow cool Video. Brings back memories. I had Beck 550 Sypder # 48 built by Greg Leach @ Vintage Spyders in the late 90’s The car was incredibly quick like a motorcycle but with a fiberglass egg shell body for maximum protection. Everything in this video is true about the feelings it gives you when driving it. It defines visceral. I felt completely defenseless driving it. It was so easy to drift with the throttle. Mine had a 2109cc with 170 hp. It only weighed 1200 lbs. it was a four speed with a swing axle, discs all around, silver with maroon leather and maroon rear quarter stripes. Crazy stuff🏁👍. I still wish I had it😀
No offense but find " replica/ replicar" something from fiberglass kits in the 70's. These cars are better than the original. Braking, suspension , etc. are better than the originals.
Beautiful. I had one just last year. same car, same builder. Greg Leach at Vintage builds a great machine. I second everything this owner said and more. Wish I had never sold it.
Well Put...IMHO, The Original Beck 550s Compared Favorably To An Original 550 & A Pristine Version Would Be A Excellent Comparable Build To Compare With The Video Subject Car!
An amazing car with a loving owner. His explanations madre me like deiving the car. One os the best histories I have ever seen here. Just the car, nothing else matters.
As a replica ,the Vintage or becks are the best out there,I like how you have gone the extra mile in putting your mark on it, it is good to see that you have not gone crazy on the build, one of the best I have ever seen ,
Good story. Narration is great and the vehicle is just wonderful not least the motor. As noted, these 550 replicas are way too much fun because they get driven. Good for you, Eric.
One of my favourite videos yet, I relate heaps to that guy! Come from a non-car family but my first word was car and have been addicted ever since. I love oddball and stripped back cars the same way and I'm a designer as well! Hopefully the Lotus Elise I'm picking up next week is as "visceral" as this 550! P.s. A little more engine noise would have made this even better!
Non - Car Family; You An Actual Car Driver/Racer Yourself, Or Just Picking Up A "Cars & Coffee" Cruiser? 40-Yr. L.A. Driver/Racer/Enthusiast Wants to Know!
Great video! Love the spare spark plugs located between the seats -- good touch. In fact I remember seeing your car in Monterey and admiring it. Oh and I noticed another go-kart in the garage at the 1:59 mark -- Lotus Exige.
I owned a McRae Spyder, very rare, body mould rough from Chuck Beck, light weight hand laid and sculpted glass body in NZ to fit 8" rear and 7" front Z rated race rubber . This was built in New Zealand, by the Graham McRae, ex Indy rookie of the year, F1 Driver for Frank Williams, and F5000 triple gold star champion CanAm road America. A highly respected constructor building his own GM cars and racing them around the world in the 70s. My was built to race car specs for Targa road racing. WRX STI's 2.5-liter Turbo charged engine, or a Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 engine box set up if desired. Custom box, Link race management race tuner 300+ hp. Body weight 450kg, 911 oversize vented rotors all round, Willians multi pot brakes all round. All tube to certified race spec molly. This project was based on bringing the inspiration of the 550A into the modern era.
Love the replica of the Porsche 550 & see how the owner feels about driving it. The roads in California are so much better to drive in a car like that. The notorious history surrounding the James Dean 550 also adds to the drive I would think.
Wow, this Petrolicious crew has again upped their film making game. The production value is unreal here, and some of those shots and details. Speechless.
I don't see these as " replica's/ replicars" . These are better than the original. Braking , suspension, motor it's all better. Plus these are drivers not eye candy sitting in a millionaire's garage . Kudos indeed..
Such a beautiful car!!! In my opinion modern cars, however extreme their performance might be, just don't come anywhere near the best of the classic vintage sports car designs from this era. The 550 Spyder and the 718 are my two favourite Porsche cars ever built.
I am a James Dean fanatic. I have a replica kit car Porsche 550 Spyder. I live in Pennsylvania. I drove the car to the crash site. Placed flowers. When i got back in the car it would not start. Called a flat bed, i told the driver just tow me down the road a mile then let me see if it starts. Sure enough i jumped onto the flatbed into the car started right up. The flatbed driver demanded me to get the car off the flatbed asap.
I had a beautiful, well done Beck 550 that I loved. It ticked all the boxes mentioned, but I could not get over the fact that even driving "motorcycle defensive" was not enough. This thing is so small and so low, you don't even have the visibility of being on a motorcycle, where you are sitting *HIGHER* than you are in this car. Driving around trucks in the southwest, I always felt like I was going to be squashed like a grape from someone who "just didn't see" me. Other than that, I miss the car a great deal, and if I had the money, yes, I would buy another.
I think a car company could sell a lot of cars if they built an inexpensive similar looking retro coupe with a lightweight removable hardtop....Keep the old school looks but use some better modern parts. Like an LED lighting, keep it lightweight like original, use a modern but simple inline 4cyl instead of boxer, that could put out 200hp in sport mode. Also with an Eco fuel saving mode 6 speed manual gearbox with 6th being OD. It could cost less if it didn't use all the bells wistles of pwr windows & seats, touch screen display,etc..The combination of lightweight/great fuel economy, yet still fast & fun to dtive, lower price tag of the car due to less parts/basic design, with good looks & lower maintenance costs. Would probably make it a hit with many people. It could be a daily driver for a single person. Or second car for a big family & used as a fun to drive commuter car.
What with the space frame, the head faring, and the louvered doors that access the carburetors without lifting the tail piece, this is MUCH more a 550A replica than a 550 replica. Which is all good.
The 550 Spyder was my dream car. I got close When Ted Herbert offered his car for sale. 2nd place doesn't matter in a two person race. That car later went into the collection of my old friend Lindsay Fox. Classic piece of motoring history in safe hands now.
This guy truly has a passion, mine cant compare to his lol..... I think the car is just amazing, so what if its a replica, that means he can thrash it without feeling bad
Manufacturers need to do a recognised replicas, giving top replica cars more credibility. It’s a small thing to give back to the skilled person how crafted and built it.
Nice REPLICA, Son: ln 1992, l.D.'d a Real '55 550 Spyder Compared To, Say, A Beck 550 @ June Lake & The Owner Let Me Sit ln It...Still Smiling From That Day! :-)
Doug Auzene its good that its a replica, because it actually benefits the REAL ones. Because these get driven more than real ones, expanding the love for the platform at carmeets/ carshows. :)
Call Greg Leach at Vintage Motorcars Inc. or Carey Hines at Beck Speedster but brand new probably less than $60K and that's putting in a lot of extras. Engine choices are a Type I or a Type IV or even a Subaru. The build cost depends on your budget. Or look for one used and you're looking at $30-$40K.
I don’t know why everyone says stuff like “its only a replica your exaggerating” its actually good that its a replica, because it actually benefits the REAL ones. Because these get driven more than real ones, expanding the love for the platform at carmeets/ carshows. :)
All Good Points - But ANYONE Can Drive; Only A Few...Can Race - Your Neighbor, Mailman, Gardener Race @ Goodwood, Willow Springs, Pomona, or Laguna Seca? Mine Neither...But l Have Raced @ 1 Track a Few Times(Guess Which)
@@dougauzene8389 Only a few can formulate good syntax flow, apparently.
Real men don't give AF about what people think about their cars. This only effects losers.
I worked with Eric, knew he was talented and was really into cars. I respected him even more when I learned that he worked hard his whole life to get to where he's at today. This guy is the real deal and it's wonderful to witness his passion for the driving experience. Thank you Petrolicious.
"You feel the engineering." Amen.
My dad also, cares very little about cars. He looks at cars kinda like I look at refrigerators and ovens. A car is an appliance to him. I got bitten when I was given a Matchbox car when I was very young. I've been a car guy all my life and my family thinks I'm weird. I helped a friend build a James Dean 550 Spyder replica about 17-18 years ago. He taught me quite a bit about body work and fabrication. it turned out to be a beautiful car which is probably better than the original. This video just took me back in time.
Oh man, banjo style steering wheel, aluminum dressed interior, "wide-5" brakes, correct VDO style gauges and a proper big-bore dual carb VW engine with 911 style fan shroud! So simple and so tastefully done. I long have loved the 550 and if I ever built one, I don't think it would be much different than this. Kudos to Petrolicious for highlighting a replica 550 owner (period) let alone one with such passion for the marque!
Eric, on the odd chance that you read this, Herbie was my gateway to a love of all things automotive also. I've owned my "Herbie" now for half my life and it's never too late to build your own tribute to "The Douglas Special." (o\5!3/o)
I understand the feeling this guy is explaining, I feel the same thing when I drive my beach/street buggy, my dad used to hate it until I "forced" him to drive it by sitting in the passenger seat.. when we were finished driving, he had the biggest smile ever and just said; "now I understand"
Such a work of art. One of the best vintage sports cars ever!
Wow cool Video. Brings back memories. I had Beck 550 Sypder # 48 built by Greg Leach @ Vintage Spyders in the late 90’s The car was incredibly quick like a motorcycle but with a fiberglass egg shell body for maximum protection. Everything in this video is true about the feelings it gives you when driving it. It defines visceral. I felt completely defenseless driving it. It was so easy to drift with the throttle. Mine had a 2109cc with 170 hp. It only weighed 1200 lbs. it was a four speed with a swing axle, discs all around, silver with maroon leather and maroon rear quarter stripes. Crazy stuff🏁👍. I still wish I had it😀
Nothing beats blasting around in a analog masterpiece such as this 550 :-)
Analog Masterpiece = ORIGINAL 550; Facebook Generation Copy = This Beautiful $100k 550 REPLICA!
Wonderful build - I LOVE the RS doors for the carb access; kind of "outlaw" looking but actually period correct and functional.
My dream replica car
My dream Car 😅
Simon Kuderer I gave you a thumbs up on that, but have you ever seen a 904 in person? That’s my dream.
@@robertbeirne9813 omg..auch a Beauty.. i didnt know this Car existet.. but i still love the 550 and the Lotus 30 more..
No offense but find " replica/ replicar" something from fiberglass kits in the 70's. These cars are better than the original. Braking, suspension , etc. are better than the originals.
@@jamesdean8669 James ? 😳 Are you alive ? 😳
Very Cool Story. Specially the part with the 6 year-old painting your dad's car doors with numbers.
I think I saw James Dean smiling next to you...well done sir
James Dean...And His 9/30/55 Factory Riding Mechanic, Rolf Wutherlich!
Beautiful. I had one just last year. same car, same builder. Greg Leach at Vintage builds a great machine. I second everything this owner said and more. Wish I had never sold it.
Well Put...IMHO, The Original Beck 550s Compared Favorably To An Original 550 & A Pristine Version Would Be A Excellent Comparable Build To Compare With The Video Subject Car!
This car looks like the PETROLICIOUS logo
I was drawn to the Massie Harris sign. My grandfather had a 101 Senior when I was a kid and it definitely left an impression on me
Watching the Love Bug is my childhood
Beautiful 550 replica.
An amazing car with a loving owner. His explanations madre me like deiving the car. One os the best histories I have ever seen here. Just the car, nothing else matters.
Badass, Cool $100k Replicar; Driver Hasn't Actually Owned lt All That Long...
Check Back ln 5, 10 Years?
Pure art and craftsmanship. It’s a beauty.
As a replica ,the Vintage or becks are the best out there,I like how you have gone the extra mile in putting your mark on it, it is good to see that you have not gone crazy on the build, one of the best I have ever seen ,
This is amazing video and car, I like replicas because people drive them. Like Shelby cobras or old lotus 7 - this is pure feeling of car and road!
Eric is such a good spokesman for the raw attributes of man and a machine "bonded" .
This was a perfect Petrolicious production. Great job capturing the essence and making us feel a part of it.
that is exactly how a low car should look .. great work sir
Another Great car video from Petrolicious by the very talented Andrea Giacomni! Love it!
I'd love to see more pictures of that garage/shop. Very cool. He needs a Garage Journal thread to show it off.
i thought my karmann ghia is a tiny car, then a 550 spyder parked beside me :)
Which Karmann Ghia do you have? I owned a type 14 (50 hp) 30 years ago.
Bought it for 2000 Deutsche Mark (1000€).
@@dertechniker8867 a type 14 1966 model
gilbert sanchez a little while back I saw a Porsche 914 parked on the street, I’d forgotten how small they are. The 550 is smaller.
whats the market price for a karmann ghia right now ?
@@legend-qw2ec I'd like to see one next to my 1960 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite.
Good story. Narration is great and the vehicle is just wonderful not least the motor. As noted, these 550 replicas are way too much fun because they get driven. Good for you, Eric.
I love this model, what a nice experience for the driver
One of my favourite videos yet, I relate heaps to that guy! Come from a non-car family but my first word was car and have been addicted ever since. I love oddball and stripped back cars the same way and I'm a designer as well! Hopefully the Lotus Elise I'm picking up next week is as "visceral" as this 550!
P.s. A little more engine noise would have made this even better!
Class mate
Non - Car Family; You An Actual Car Driver/Racer Yourself, Or Just Picking Up A "Cars & Coffee" Cruiser? 40-Yr. L.A. Driver/Racer/Enthusiast Wants to Know!
fully agree 👍Just like my Leica M4 , fully machinal , you will feel every move you make.
I wish they never stop Making classic cars
Great video! Love the spare spark plugs located between the seats -- good touch. In fact I remember seeing your car in Monterey and admiring it. Oh and I noticed another go-kart in the garage at the 1:59 mark -- Lotus Exige.
Another great video. Fantastic replica and car in its own right. Great work! 👍👍👍
Beautiful! Also, any Hodinkee-philes know the watch at 2:49? This guy's my hero.
Looks like an Autodromo Veloce
I was just looking at these yesterday. For under 100k, these replicas are a bargain for a lightweight driveable spyder. Beautiful scenery as well!
For WELL UNDER 100k, With MY OWN 2 HANDS & Farming Out Paint & Interior, l'll Build A NICE 427 S/C Cobra REPLICA! 100k? Repop 550? Must Be Nice, Kid!
@@dougauzene8389 It's a completely different drive. Your Cobra may be faster and louder, this is more nimble. To each their own.
I owned a McRae Spyder, very rare, body mould rough from Chuck Beck, light weight hand laid and sculpted glass body in NZ to fit 8" rear and 7" front Z rated race rubber . This was built in New Zealand, by the Graham McRae, ex Indy rookie of the year, F1 Driver for Frank Williams, and F5000 triple gold star champion CanAm road America. A highly respected constructor building his own GM cars and racing them around the world in the 70s. My was built to race car specs for Targa road racing. WRX STI's 2.5-liter Turbo charged engine, or a Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 engine box set up if desired. Custom box, Link race management race tuner 300+ hp. Body weight 450kg, 911 oversize vented rotors all round, Willians multi pot brakes all round. All tube to certified race spec molly. This project was based on bringing the inspiration of the 550A into the modern era.
Well done. I love his English wheel that he’s using in the shop. 👍
Great refinement and improvement Eric! I'm salivating........ :)
Not blue, silver✔️😁👍🍻💙
Love the replica of the Porsche 550 & see how the owner feels about driving it. The roads in California are so much better to drive in a car like that. The notorious history surrounding the James Dean 550 also adds to the drive I would think.
Wow, this Petrolicious crew has again upped their film making game. The production value is unreal here, and some of those shots and details. Speechless.
Saw one today, beautiful car!
I don't see these as " replica's/ replicars" . These are better than the original. Braking , suspension, motor it's all better. Plus these are drivers not eye candy sitting in a millionaire's garage . Kudos indeed..
Love this video!!! Thanks
Awesome video...I agree with every word and expressed feeling. This is what EV and Tesla owners will never understand......
Such a beautiful car!!! In my opinion modern cars, however extreme their performance might be, just don't come anywhere near the best of the classic vintage sports car designs from this era. The 550 Spyder and the 718 are my two favourite Porsche cars ever built.
Life is short, experience it!
The view at 1:59 of that incredible garage. I WANT. I WANT. I WANT
Excellent, excellent, excellent, and outstanding.
Wonderful story. Sounds like your and my parents viewed cars alike. And then they wondered what happened to their son…. ;-)
Wow que bueno que siguen sacando contenido a pesar del coronavirus.
I would never drive a real one of these. However, give me a replica and I'm gone... LOL Wonderful car.
As One Who Has NEVER Had Things Come Easy, Earning UCLA & WSU (Law) Degrees & Racing Faster, Simpler Race/ Drag Cars For 40 Years = VISCERAL!
I am a James Dean fanatic. I have a replica kit car Porsche 550 Spyder. I live in Pennsylvania. I drove the car to the crash site. Placed flowers. When i got back in the car it would not start. Called a flat bed, i told the driver just tow me down the road a mile then let me see if it starts. Sure enough i jumped onto the flatbed into the car started right up. The flatbed driver demanded me to get the car off the flatbed asap.
Replica . But I hand made many of the parts.
@@HarleyDavisonVinny very nice to hear you handmade the parts on the Porsche Spyder it adds a personal touch to your Porsche Spyder 550 👍😁
Damn it, now I want one...
At 1:31, left inside, there is an aluminum intake manifold, with two carbs, for the Ford Flathead V8 engine. Nice touch.
Beautiful. Always loved the style these things exude. Even the pedals and shifter are so stylish. Love it.
I’d like to ask him how his Lotus Elise compares to the 550 since both are bare bones...
I had a beautiful, well done Beck 550 that I loved. It ticked all the boxes mentioned, but I could not get over the fact that even driving "motorcycle defensive" was not enough. This thing is so small and so low, you don't even have the visibility of being on a motorcycle, where you are sitting *HIGHER* than you are in this car. Driving around trucks in the southwest, I always felt like I was going to be squashed like a grape from someone who "just didn't see" me. Other than that, I miss the car a great deal, and if I had the money, yes, I would buy another.
I felt the same way driving my sisters Mazda Miata 20 years ago. Feels like you’re driving a go-cart amongst cars and trucks. 👍👍👍
@@clayfarnet970 I also drove a Miata as my daily for 10 years... it feels like a boulevard cruiser compared to the 550. Yeah, it's like THAT
Awesome work well done .......Enjoy !!!
COOL CAR!!! COOL DUDE. LOVE THE OLD PORSCHES!!! REPLICA OR NOT.
I don’t know why but this one really appealed to me. Every once in a while petrolicious gets me
I might build a tiny one of this in the future❤
Very enjoyable. Perfect way to start my day. Thanks for the awesome content.! LUV the porsche brand.
As One Who, Sat ln & Started Up A REAL '55 550 Spyder ln 1992 & Worked On Clint Eastwood's 356 Porsche SC, l Agree! VISCERAL!
She's gorgeous and faster than the real ones
Enjoyed that. Thank you.
Nice car and very passionate owner. Greetings from Ireland 😉
Nice "lil' bastard"! ,what an awesome raw machine,good enough for Jimmy Dean,good enough for all of us!!✌👍
I love your video's.
I think a car company could sell a lot of cars if they built an inexpensive similar looking retro coupe with a lightweight removable hardtop....Keep the old school looks but use some better modern parts. Like an LED lighting, keep it lightweight like original, use a modern but simple inline 4cyl instead of boxer, that could put out 200hp in sport mode. Also with an Eco fuel saving mode 6 speed manual gearbox with 6th being OD.
It could cost less if it didn't use all the bells wistles of pwr windows & seats, touch screen display,etc..The combination of lightweight/great fuel economy, yet still fast & fun to dtive, lower price tag of the car due to less parts/basic design, with good looks & lower maintenance costs. Would probably make it a hit with many people. It could be a daily driver for a single person. Or second car for a big family & used as a fun to drive commuter car.
What with the space frame, the head faring, and the louvered doors that access the carburetors without lifting the tail piece, this is MUCH more a 550A replica than a 550 replica. Which is all good.
Great video! What is this silver color specifically? Looks lovely
Man with new modern tech they can still make this All they need is aluminum and the blueprints
Excellent narration
The 550 Spyder was my dream car. I got close When Ted Herbert offered his car for sale. 2nd place doesn't matter in a two person race. That car later went into the collection of my old friend Lindsay Fox. Classic piece of motoring history in safe hands now.
from France congratulations!
This guy truly has a passion, mine cant compare to his lol..... I think the car is just amazing, so what if its a replica, that means he can thrash it without feeling bad
That's one beautiful motor. Oooooosh.
Manufacturers need to do a recognised replicas, giving top replica cars more credibility. It’s a small thing to give back to the skilled person how crafted and built it.
To me this is my dream car
Nice REPLICA, Son: ln 1992, l.D.'d a Real '55 550 Spyder Compared To, Say, A Beck 550 @ June Lake & The Owner Let Me Sit ln It...Still Smiling From That Day! :-)
Doug Auzene its good that its a replica, because it actually benefits the REAL ones. Because these get driven more than real ones, expanding the love for the platform at carmeets/ carshows. :)
Nice-VISCERAL? Been Towin' & Racin' REAL Street Stock & Vintage Drag Race Cars, Carlsbad To Bakersfield, For 40 Years! See You At The Track! :-)
Doug Auzene Ummm...
Doug Auzene What Track?
@@cartunerph4827 Your "Ummm"= Your Answer... Now, $100k (Often Easily) Comes To The Young - Us Older, ACTUAL Racers, We Get The Most From The Least!
For some reason, the air cooled Porsches and older BMW stories seem to garner a lot of views🤔
Mechanical things are more visceral than things loaded up with electronics.
What a great video!
🙆♂️👏absolutely priceless
The best channel ever, keep up the good work
Stunning car.
beautiful car mate.
I feel ya dude, nice in every respect
Whatever you do do not write 130 on the front and sides and "Little Bastard" on the rear.
Rich Boy NICE LIFE 👍😆
Great Video
Hello !! Where would one go to buy a good kit for this 550 thank you!!
how can I buy one?
Looks like a car out of Speed Racer. very nice. :)
Is it fiberglass?
Love it!
Well done Petrolicious! Makes me want to hop in my '99 forest green metalic Boxster, drop the top and blow away the cobwebs!
Ayeee.... What a beauty! My dreaaam!!! How much such replica can cost?
Call Greg Leach at Vintage Motorcars Inc. or Carey Hines at Beck Speedster but brand new probably less than $60K and that's putting in a lot of extras. Engine choices are a Type I or a Type IV or even a Subaru. The build cost depends on your budget. Or look for one used and you're looking at $30-$40K.
What’s the appreciation/depreciation on 550 spyder replicas?