Electric 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster Replica by Beck
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1957
- Make: Porsche
- Model: 356 Speedster Replica
- VIN: 356000295
- Mileage Shown: 3,120
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Merlot
- Seller: Powersmotorsports
- Seller Type: Dealer
- Location: Jacksonville, FL 32225
- Dealer Fees: None
- Lot #: V-0015325
Up for auction is this Beck 1957 Porsche 356A Speedster replica finished in Merlot over a Natural Brown leather interior. This Beck Speedster replica was hand-built by Special Edition, Inc. of South Bend, Indiana, and subsequently converted to an electric drivetrain by its second owner in 2015. This Speedster features a rear-mounted 110 HP electric motor paired with a 4-speed H-pattern manual transaxle, allowing for speeds over 90 MPH and up to 100 miles of range on a full charge. Showing approximately 3k miles on the odometer, this custom electric-powered Beck Speedster is now being offered for auction by its seller out of Florida.
The Merlot-painted fiberglass bodywork was produced by Chamonix of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and is mounted over a custom 3” DOM tubular chassis. Each panel is laminated by hand, resulting in a stronger, lighter body with less chance of cracking under stress. Beck Speedsters also use the spacious floorpan design of the original 356 as opposed to smaller VW belly pans found on most Speedster replicas, improving torsional rigidity and better ride quality. A matching tonneau cover hides the tan soft top, in addition to matching removable windows. The seller describes the paint to remain in excellent condition, noting some minor imperfections as detailed in the photo gallery. Equipment includes body-colored bumpers with chrome center strips, a driver’s side rear-view mirror, chrome rocker moldings, LED lighting, and a single-grille engine cover. This Beck Speedster wears classic gold badging including Speedster emblems on the fenders and a Chamonix badge on the trunk handle. Silver-finished 15” wheels wear chrome hubcaps with Chamonix badges and are mounted with 165/80/15 Kumho Power Star tires.
The cabin is upholstered in Natural Brown leather, featuring low-backed bucket seats with a matching dash pad, shift boot, door panels, and carpeting. A matching leather-wrapped Electric Vehicle Interface Controller has been fitted to the dash, which monitors engine temperature, battery temperature, AMP feedback, voltage, charge status, and diagnostic readouts. All analog instrumentation remains functional apart from the fuel gauge, showing speed in KM/H on the speedometer as well as accurate RPMs on the tachometer. A Kicker sound system with Polk Audio speakers and Bluetooth receiver has been installed as well.
This Speedster replica features a rear-mounted 6k-RPM 110HP electric motor, powered by 12 200-amp-hour lithium batteries and mated to a 4-speed H-pattern manual transmission that drives the rear wheels. An on-board liquid-cooled smart charging system provides safe and hassle-free charging. Three switches control the battery, including an ignition switch, a setting for storage, and a hidden security switch. The front suspension consists of a fully adjustable twin torsion I-beam with disc brakes, while a VW torsion bar is used at the rear with drum brakes and an upgraded handbrake. New custom valved shocks have been installed to compensate for the weight of the electric drivetrain.
This sale will include a clean Florida title and a binder of records detailing the electric vehicle conversion. Beginning with a high-quality Speedster replica, this Beck 356 has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind electric roadster. Do not miss out on this very special opportunity.
Auction Results
- Sold for: $45,000
- Auction End: Jan 12, 2022 08:19:57PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 37
Comments (70)
Sold for $45,000
Bid in the amount of $45,000
Bid in the amount of $43,000
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Bid in the amount of $33,750
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Bid in the amount of $30,250
Bid in the amount of $30,000
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Bid in the amount of $24,500
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Bid in the amount of $23,000
Good luck bidding everyone, I will be hanging around this afternoon to answer any further questions. Thank you.
Bid in the amount of $22,000
Bid in the amount of $21,250
Bid in the amount of $21,000
Bid in the amount of $20,500
@Snowcone Correct, no A/C or heat. After reading through the battery manual the case of the battery is designed to provide its own mounting points. Nothing describes the need for a steel box around the batteries. The case on them all are quite robust. If it was a soft pack lithium battery with no mounting I would say a box of some kind might be handy. Thank you.
@Powermotorsports A couple final questions, I am guessing there is no heat or AC in the car?
Also, it looks like the batteries are not enclosed in a battery box at least in the front, can't tell in the back. I thought lithium batteries were supposed to be "encased" in some type of metal box. Not sure if this is a safety standard or if some builders just do it this way.
@Snowcone Glad you asked, yes it does regenerate. It does so while in gear and off the throttle. The deceleration is not very severe and does a good job charging. I find it fun to see how little power you can use. I was very impressed only loosing about 10% total while traveling almost 25 miles. Very small inputs the whole time, also being in Florida helps. Thank you.
Is there any type of brake regen on this system?
Good evening everyone, coming down to the last 24 hours or so. Looks like the auction will end tomorrow at 3PM EST. Look forward to answering any further questions you may have. Happy to get shipping quotes, and offer guidance on that front. Good luck bidding everyone.
Also, quick note on starting it up and going. Once you flip the switch on the dash you are good to start driving. You do not need to flip the switch, then wait until the display fully loads which takes 5 seconds or so in order to operate the car. Thanks.
@mniern Hello, photos of the top have been added. Thank you.
@Snowcone Thank you for the question. The electric motor only rotates in one direction how it is hooked up. It is best to think of the electric motor just as a normal gasoline motor except it can never stall. Push down, over to the left, and back just as a normal VW tans-axle and you are in reverse. Because of the torque from the electric motor you can start in 4th gear and accelerate up to speed, just very slowly.
When it comes to safety there are sensors that monitor voltage and temperatures that in the event something is wrong it can shut down. There are also fuses along with a main fuse that protects the components. After 5 years there has never been an incident.
I will also mention there are 3 switches total, main switch on the dash, a security switch under the dash, and a main power supply switch in the frunk.
Very reliable and in the event of an issue nicely laid out components, with schematics and manuals. Thank you.
Additional content has been added to the listing gallery.
@Powermotorsports For reverse do you use the transmission or put the electric motor in reverse mode? If the latter, is the reverse speed electronically limited? (can you have the trans in 4th gear and yet put the motor in reverse mode?)
Also, do you know what type of safety electrical shunts are being used?
Thanks,
Bid in the amount of $20,250
@mniern Thank you, expect some photos shortly.
Bid in the amount of $20,000
Don't forget to post pictures of the top and side curtains.
Thanks
Bid in the amount of $18,250
Hello everyone. I have enjoyed the input and chats with you all so far. A raw video should be added along with a couple photos of the charging location. Thanks, and good luck!
@Redliner911 For 0-60 times I would estimate around the mid-teens. 0-40 mph is very quick but 40-60 takes a little bit longer. I will say I have had a lot more fun in this car than many of those that are faster on paper. Thank you.
Bid in the amount of $18,000
@Redliner911 Good question, let me see what I can get for an estimate tomorrow. It puts your head back for sure but was built as more of a cruiser than a racer. No problem driving around in traffic or passing other cars though. Thank you.
How quick would you estimate the cars 0-60 time?
Bid in the amount of $16,356
Bid in the amount of $15,000
Bid in the amount of $14,500
The batteries have been installed for right around 5 years, the battery brand and model are Enerdell EC2S12PO. They have a 10-year warranty and can last well beyond that. The main factor with the lifespan is the amount of charge cycles. Not until 3500 charge cycles will the batteries begin to become less effective but not considerably.
When it comes to the sound, at low speeds it is comparable to a golf cart, slight hum from the motor, but right over 30MPH it is mostly wind noise and if you step on it the motor will give a nice hum. It is a relaxing driving experience, slight hum, wind noise, and complete silence once stopped. A raw video of it going up and down the street will be posted soon.
Surprisingly feels like an internal combustion engine with the 7K redline and power band that is from 1K to 4K RPMS. Since the electric motor cannot stall the clutch acts as really an on/off switch when changing gears. There is no need to feather the clutch. You also have the option to leave it in any gear even 4th and drive it without having to shift. The clutch and trans-axle are the same you would find in a gasoline powered car with a bell-housing adapter. When it comes to the technicalities a huge binder of all the manuals for the parts used and a custom wiring diagram. There is no one kit to just drop in, so a good bit of research went into building the car.
A photo of the charger port will be added as well.
Thank you for the questions.
Bid in the amount of $14,000
Can you share information about the batteries. The brand, age approximate life left in them.
Labor of love with a Can Do attitude. Excellent colors IMHO. Looks like a nice clean set-up. Does it come with engineering drawings and a Schematic layout? And a list of all things Spec'd? I think you will need more pictures and details to sell this thing. Need Pic's of the build in progress. I think the stick shift is the draw for most of us. And do another Video w/o the Spaghetti Western music. GL
Bid in the amount of $11,000
Curious about what it sounds like when running as well. Is it silent, or does it play some kind of exhaust note?
An electric car with manual transmission! I have never seen this before and it opens up a world of possibilities - very exciting!
Can you share anything technical about how it works? Do the electric power and torque bands look similar to an ICE? Is the transmissions and clutch the same as it was when the car had an petrol engine? I assume the vehicle is totally silent when in motion?
Bid in the amount of $10,500
Bid in the amount of $10,000
@cerb1958 The car has a Clean FL title registered as 1957 kit car. Build date if the chassis and body was 2007 and the completion date of the car entirely in 2015. Shouldn’t be an issue to title in any state.
No damage or repairs has ever happened to the body. I will post some top up pictures as soon as I can. Thank you.
@snowtx1 Apologies for the late reply, on the road picking up a ‘76 911. I will post the photo of the port this evening. The batteries are 5 years old with a 10 year manufacturer warranty. I will confirm once I am back. The car was originally purchased with intentions to make electric so a gasoline engine was never fitted. It was then started from scratch engineering wise to how it is today. The car is has a clean title and is registered in FL as a 1957 kit car. Thank you.
looks great!!
was the vehicle actually built in 1957 (as the serial # plate seems to indicate) of fiberglass, or is it a replica of a 1957 356, built some time later, and if built later, what year?
Is it registered, or if not, is it registerable?
Ever any body repairs that you can tell or know of?
Photos with the top up?
GLWTA -might be interested! thx!
@BrownAndCoMotorcars @Powersmotorsports Can you take a picture of the charging port? Also, do you know where the batteries came from and how old they are? Was the car originally a gas powered car that was converted to electricity? How is it titled? Thx.
@snowtx1 All that is needed to charge is a cord with a standard home 110v socket and a 6-20 input end into the car. If you have the cord and a 110v power socket you can charge the car. The cable will be included and is also commonly found. The charger port is behind the flip down license plate frame. Thank you for the question.
Bid in the amount of $8,500
@DrPhil1026 The onboard charger charges at a rate of 10% every hour. It can be set to 240v for faster charges but currently runs on the common 110v plug. The lithium batteries are very user friendly, no need to keep them topped off or wait until they are fully charged to use again. Thank you for the question.
What type of charge port does it take? Is it a J1772?
Bid in the amount of $6,000
Bid in the amount of $5,500
Bid in the amount of $5,000
Beautiful car. What is its range and time to charge. Thank you
Bid in the amount of $4,500
@em4bartz The car weighs right around 2600 lbs. Same amount of batteries in both the front and rear. Fairly balanced car that corners well. Thank you for the question.
How much does the car weigh? Fore and aft weight distribution? Thank you.
Good evening everyone, we are very happy to offer this very special 356 replica. All around a very impressive car. A high-quality build that has held up wonderfully through its life. This has been the most engaging electric car I have ever driven, running through the gears never gets old. Please reach out through the contact seller button to contact me directly. Good luck bidding everyone.