Replica Manufacturers/Suppliers

This is an A-Z listing of all the manufacturers/suppliers of 356 Speedster replicas and Speedster kits I have been able to identify. Where the suppliers are still active their names are in Green; where they no longer make Speedsters they are in Red. There also are links to websites and further information pages. There is a separate page for Parts Suppliers. If you can add further information or correct any errors please contact me at johnm@speedsters.com

		A1 Autocraft
		Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, UK

This company made some Speedster replicas and also offered a Cobra and GT40 replica. Trading since 1998 certainly no sign of them since 2009 and now shown as 'Dissolved' at Co House. Director was John Dryden

		Auto-Zagaia
		Lisbon, Portugal

Produced a 356 replica between 1988 and 1990 but not heard of since then. Not known how many sold.

A number of companies have marketed Apal kits and finished cars and each have an entry on this page:
1981-83: Starborne 
1985-88: TPC
1992-93: Speedsters of Tunbridge Wells
1993-94: Classic Carriage Company

		Banham Conversions
		Rochester and Dover, Kent, UK

From 1994 to 2002 Paul Banham Conversions were based in Rochester, Kent and from 2002 to 2004 in Dover Kent. The 'New Speedster' was not sold as a replica as it had a slightly different wheelbase and used the Rover Metro as the donor car with the K-series Rover engine driving the front wheels. The idea was to combine the iconic Speedster shape with easily obtainable modern underpinnings. In 2004 the prorect was sold to 356 Sports in Watford. Around 40 kits are believed to have been sold.

		Beck Development
		California, SA

Ex racing driver, Chuck Beck was one of the founders and funders of the Chamonix Cars factory in Sao Paulo, Brazil together with Kevin Hines (now of 'Special Edition' in the USA) and Milton Masteguin, father of current Chamonix NG Cars M.D. Newton Masteguin. They build both Spyder and Speedster Replicas and both kits and fully built machines were sold in the USA by Chuck Beck's California based operation. The cars are now made under licence by Special Edition Inc. in Indiana, USA (see opposite)

		Chamonix NG Cars
		São Paulo, Brazil

Founded in 1987 by Milton Masteguin and Chuck Beck in Jarinu, Chamonix cars began making a Porsche 550 Spyder replica in 1990, a very nice 356 Speedster Replica introduced in 1993 and a 550S with a modern water-cooled engine in 1995. In 2011 they changed their name to Chamonix NG (New Generation) and moved to São Paulo. Their current Speedster replica has a more advance tubular chassis and uses water-cooled VW Golf engines. ... more information

		Chesil Motor Company
		Dorset, England

In 1990 Chesil, founded by Peter Bailey, entered the replica marketplace with the acquisition of the Street Beetle project from Chris Boyle. During the 1990s the company became the leading manufacturer of Speedster replicas in the UK both in terms of number of cars produced and the quality of the finished product. Cars were sold both as kits and as finished vehicles. In 2004 Peter Bailey sold the company to Angus McCubbin and Jerry Bailey who then traded simply as Chesil. A limited edition of special Speedster2 cars was launched in 2005 in a deal with design house Studio-G.

Financal difficulties caused Chesil to be wound up in March 2007 and its assets were purchased by the Tygan Motor Company who planned to carry on production of the Speedster and Spyder replicas and add further models to the range.

Tygan went into administration in December 2008 and Peter Bailey was able to purchase the Tygan company and assets and relaunch the Chesil Motor Company.

In July 2019 Chesil was purchased by Westfield, based in the West Midlands - they demonstrated an electric version of the Speedster at the Silverstone Classic. Chesil now comes under the Westfield Sportscars umbrella and is managed by MD Simon Westwood. Chesil Speedsters and kits continue to be built and supplied from both locations with the purchasing and supply function centralised at Westfield Sportscars in Kingswinford.

... more information

		Classic & Sports Replicars
		Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa

This company produced a VW based 356 Speedster replica, a 550 Spyder replica and a 718 RSK Spyder Replica in the 1990s but the business eventually failed. The project became Replicars SA and were operational from 2009 to 2013 but are no longer trading.

		Classic Carriage Company
		Mallory Park, England

Derek Moore of the Classic Carriage Company baces at Mallory Park Circuit took over the marketing of Apal Speedsters in the UK from Paul and Sandie Woodward in 1993 until Apal ceased production in 1994. Approximately five CCC branded Speedsters were sold and some are still around in the UK but the company stopped trading some years ago.

		Classic Motor Carriages
		Miami, Florida, USA

For much of the 1980s and some of the 1990s CMC were the world's largest manufacturer of classic replicas. The range included a 356A Speedster replica and a Classic Speedster C which was basically a racing version with a more powerful engine, and flared arches and wider tyres. There are many CMC Speedsters around in the USA and some found their way to Europe and the UK. By 1985 the company employed over 200 people, were making 300 cars a month and grossing $12 million a year. The firm overmarketed their products and was forced to close in 1995 after the Florida Attorney General's Office filed suit against it on behalf of hundreds of defrauded customers.
CMC later reappeared under the name Street Beasts and again became a large player in the kit car business. However, complaints about its products continued and Street Beasts closed down in 2010. ... more information

		Classic Reproductions
		Tamworth, UK

Formed in 1982 by Terry Sands. Demo car Iaunched in December in conjunction with Swede Thorsen Sodjeberg and Adrian Cocking. Shown at London Motor Show in October 1983. This was the second Speedster Replica to appear in the UK (the first was the imported Starborne Speedster - see opposite). It had a purpose-built chassis designed to replace VW floorplan used in other replicas. This company changed its name to Sandwood Automotive and later evolved into Sheldonhurst - then into the Alternative Vehicle Centre, and even later into the Legend Motor Company.

		Covin Performance Mouldings
		South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, UK

Covin Performance Mouldings was founded in 1983 by Nick Vincent and Tom Cook and produced a number of replica kits including a 911 and a 356 Speedster replica in 1989 in association with DJ Sportscars. Quite a few Covin Speedsters still exist in the UK. Covin marketed the kits direct from until 1992 when they ceased trading and DJ Sportscars of Harlow, Essex took over the company and the Covin Speedster project. DJ Sportcars marketed the Speedster under the DAX name until 1995 when Grannd Performance Cars took over. In 1998 Grannd Performance Cars moved to Ireland but seems to have ceased trading in 2000. ... more information

		CSW Speedsters
		Napanee, Ontario, Canada

CSW stood for Camden Sportscar Works and the company produced a Speedster replica between 2004 and 2009 in Kingston Ontario, and from 2009 to 2010 in Napanee, Ontario. They sold Kits ranging from $17k to $32k. Turn-key cars were also available. Key people were Ted Hamilton and Jerry Sweet. Definitely no longer trading.

		Custom Coachwerks
		El Cajon, California, USA

This company took over the business and assets of Thunder Ranch in El Cajon when they went out of business.
No longer trading - assets purchased by Rock West Racing

		DJ Sportscars (DAX)
		Harlow, Essex, UK

An established replica builder, well known for its AC Cobra replica. During the 1980s the company tied up with Covin between to offer a Speedster. This was apparently quite a good replica with a double skinned fibreglass bodyshell in traditional and California styles, with a factory fitted subframe which mated to a shortened VW Beetle chassis. The Dax Speedster was not produced for very long and was also marketed by Sandwood Automotive. The Speedster replica part of the Dax business was taken over by Grannd Performance Cars in 1995. A number of Dax Speedsters still exist in the UK and Dax is still flourishing as a company - see www.daxcars.co.uk

		Fiberfab
		Minneapolis, MN, USA

This company, formed in 1965 by Bud Goodwin produced a number of fibreglass bodies for mounting on the Beetle chassis including a 904GTS look-alike. By the late 1980s they were concentrating on the production of a 356A Speedster replica and a Speedster California. Although the original company is no more, there are a large number of these cars still around in the USA. A more recent FiberFab company exists but without a Speedster replica in their lineup.

		Flat 4
		Tokyo, Japan

For a short time, around 1997, this company produced a high quality, well detailed VW Beetle based Speedster replica and a number of these are still around. This is not part of their current product range but they are still a useful supplier of wheels and other period VW parts - www.flat4.co.jp

		Holmes Motor Co
		Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK

Based in Bournes Green, Stroud, Gloucestershire and founded in 1984 by brothers Graham and Peter Holmes, HMC started making sports cars inspired by the Austin Healey. They offered a Spyder replica from 1984 and developed a Speedster replica also. These were finished cars, not kits. I've recently heard from Graham Holmes (Dec 15) that they are no longer offering Speedsters or Spyders and that the www.holmesmotor.co.uk website should not be live. Update April 2019 - website still live but company no longer trading.

		JPS Motorsports
		North Hollywood, California, USA

JPS Motorsports make a very nice 356 Speedster replica with a choice of VW or Subaru flat-4 engines. They also make an A Coupe replica and an 'SC Speedster' with flared arches and minimal trim. All Speedsters are built on reconditioned VW Beetle pans, either the earlier Swing-Axle cars or the later models with Independent Rear Suspension. Key contact is John Steele and delivery leadtime from order is around 10-12 weeks. ... more information

		Kit Kar Centre
		Boksburg, South Africa

This company made a number of replicas between 1982 and 2003 including a 356 Speedster replica that they called the Speedster Sebring as well as 550 and 718 Spyders. Other kits ranged from Beach Buggies to a GT40 replica. Forum posts indicate this company later became Venom Kit Cars and later had an association with Replicars SA but I have been unabe to verify this.

		Kitzkrieg
		Chula Vista, California, USA

This company makes 356 Speedster kits for the independent builder - they also offer a 356 Coupe and a 550 Spyder kit. The kits are designed to accept VW Type 1 or Porsche 4 cylinder air-cooled engines and Type 1 4-speed Swing Axle transmission. Kits have hand laid fibreglass bodies with Kitzkrieg's own steel tube space frame. Base kits cost from around $19,000 delivered in black gel coat. ... more information

		Legend Motor Company
		Redditch, Worcs, UK

When Terry Sands set up the Legend Motor Company in 1997 he used the moulds he had owned since Classic Reproductions days to produce a batch of ten 356 Speedster replicas and 5 of the 'Californian' variant. He also worked with John Braiden to develop a Convertible D kit. Over the next four years around 100 of these three models are believed to have been sold. Only one with Type 1 VW power - the rest using the developed 'Omega' chassis to accommodate VW type 4, Alfasud and Subaru engines. Legen also produced a Karmann Ghia replica and worked on developing other kits. Eventually finances became overstretched and the company ceased trading in 2001.

		Martin & Walker
		Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire, UK

The company was founded in the mid nineties when Barrie Martin of Trac Services (see opposite) joined forces with businessman and historic Porsche racer Mike Walker. The company first produced an excellent 550 Spyder replica, before developing a Speedster replica in 1997. This was available as either a kit or a finished turn-key car. In 1998 they developed a 356 Coupe kit, and all three were marketed under the Technic name - see opposite.The Technic Speedster is built on the traditional shortened VW Beetle chassis using Technic's own GRP bodyshell with its bonded in steel subframe for additional strength and rigidity. More information on their website at www.technic-motorsport.com and details of their lovely Porsche 904 replica at www.904gts.co.uk.

		Reincarations
		Burnley, UK

Reincarations was formed in the Spring of 2009 to import vehicles for stock from Chamonix Cars in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for resale in the UK. Terry Watson's Tribute Sportscars business was absorbed into Reincarations and Terry headed up the Sales side. Reincarations imported about 12 cars, 356 models with 1915cc 125 BHP air cooled engines, 550 Spyders with the 1915cc engine and some 550S models, with 1.8 VW water cooled units. Turnkey Speedsters sold in the UK for about £30,500. Unfortunately the market went flat due to the financial downturn and eventually Reincarations folded. Currently Beck Speedsters/Chamonix Spyders can personally imported from Special Edition Inc. in the USA.

		Renegade Speedsters
		Norfolk, UK

Dave Stannett produced a couple of Speedster replicas from his base in Buxton Norfolk around 2008. The Renegade Speedster website has now gone but I think Dave still works from a new base in Frettenham, Norfolk, renovating split screen camper vans.

		Replicar
		Lisbon, Portugal

Between 1992 and 1995 this company produced a VW Beetle based 356 Replica. Later became Cornauto SA, Valencia Spain but ceased trading in 1995

		Replicars SA
		Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa

It is believed that this company puchased the assets of Classic & Sports Replicars in Benoni and traded from 2009 to 2013. They offered 550 and 718 Spyder replicas as well as a Speedster. Their website disappeared in 2013 and they seem to have ceased trading.

		Rock West Racing
		San Diego and El Cajon, California, USA

Rock West Racing has manufacturing facilities in El Cajon, California and produces replicas in turnkey and kit form including the RW Speedster. Rock West Racing purchased the assets of Custom Coachwerks (based in El Cajon) who previously took over Thunder Ranch Speedsters, so they have been able to develop previously successful replica designs. They produce a ridge steel tube chassis integrated into a hand laid fibreglass body which is designed to fit a VW type 1 engine and transaxle and VW torsion arm front beam and VW independent rear suspension. ... more information

		Ryan Motors
		Vista, California, USA

From 1996 this company produced 356 Speedster replicas and also a 718 RS/60 Spyder replica and a Hummer style beach buggy from their base at Seal Beach, California. They moved to Vista, California in 1998 until 2000, when they ceased trading. Total numbers sold not known

		Sandwood Automotive Ltd
		Tamworth, UK

In 1983 Terry Sands original company changed its name from Classic Reproductions to Sandwood Automotive and moved to larger premises, still in Tamworth. In addition to the Speedster replica, some work started on a Convertible D replica but the main development by Terry Sands was of a purpose-built chassis. which replaced the need for a VW floor pan and allowed the straightforward fitting of torsion bar front and independent rear suspension. The company later evolved into Sheldonhurst - then into the Alternative Vehicle Centre, and even later into the Legend Motor Company.

		Scheib
		Ansbach, Germany

Automobil Scheib in Ansbach claim to be No 1 in replicas in Germany and produce a number of replica kits including Bugatti, MG TD as well as a 356 Speedster. Their replica 356 is based on a VW Beetle and uses their own 'torsion chassis frame' together with a shortened Beetle chassis and a 1600 air--cooled VW flat-4 and VW transmission and suspension. Many updated components including front disc brakes, 12v electrics and seatbelts give additional reliability and safety. Turn-key cars can also be supplied with a lead time of 2-3 months. More details on their website.

		Scottish Replicars & Classics (SRC)
		Scotland, UK

Established as a restoration company SRC started producing replica kits in 1984. The small range offered included an MG TD and TF, a 911 Turbo and a 356 Speedster. Only three of the latter are believed to have been made before the company ceased trading late in 1985

		Sheldonhurst
		Tyseley, Birmingham England

Formed in 1984 from Sandwood Automotive with Terry Sands as CEO. GRP panels were supplied by Adrian Cocking (now RAM Automotive). The company was based at an eight thousand sq ft facility in Tyseley. PGO Inc. of Bordeaux become French agents. Four kits and two cars a month were going to Mohrsport at the peak of production. 'Omegachassis' design was refined to channel the body over the chassis - giving a more authentic stance to the car. Terry Sands left company in 1985 which subsequently folded in 1987.

		Snakepit Automotive
		Freeport, New York, USA

This company was a main distributor for Superperformance and JPS Motorsports (see opposite, below) and had an active website at www.snakepitauto.com until a year or so ago. The website is no more and it is believed that they have ceased trading.

		Specialty Auto-Sports, Inc.
		Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

This company has been building VW powered Speedster replicas for 20 years, but in 2002 they launched a project to develop a mid-engine water-cooled Speedster replica with a whole host of modern safety and performance features. These Speedster replicas have accurate body dimensions, exterior appearance and interior trim, but are powered by a mid-mounted Subaru fuel injected water-cooled flat-four engine. ... more information

		Speedster Clinic
		Kenilworth, Warwickshire, UK

Based in Kenilworth and run by Gary Blundall, Speedster Clinic has been building and repairing Speedsters for many years. Working initially with other manufacturers products Gary quickly began developing and improving them for his customers. As long ago as 1998 he began producing his own kits, supplying them to customers in the UK and across Europe. As well as a Speedster kit, Gary now has available a 356 Coupe body kit ... more information

		Starborne
		USA and UK

The original Starborne Speedster replica, produced in the USA was probably an Intermeccanica copy. Tim Dutton Woolley imported one into the UK in 1981 and this was the first 356 replica to appear here. He formed Starborne to import these cars but soon became a UK agent for Apal instead. Between 1981 and 1983 he imported and marketed Apal Kits into the UK under the Starborne name before Apal marketing was taken over in 1984 by TPC (see below). His marketing literature had the headline "Build yourself a Speedster"

		Street Beasts
		Miami, Florida, USA

Created out of the enforced closure of Classic Motor Carriages in 1994 after the Florida Attorney General's Office filed suit against it on behalf of hundreds of defrauded customers. Street Beast became a large player in the kit car business again turning out 40 kits a month including many Speedster replicas and turning over $6m a year. However, complaints about its products continued and Street Beasts closed its business in 2010 and auctioned off its plant and machinery. In 2011 the Speedster moulds were sold on eBay.

		Technic (Martin & Walker)
		Thruxton, UK

Martin and Walker offered a Speedster and Spyder Replica both as kits for self assembly or as turn-key vehicles individually built to customers specifications. The Technic 550 Spyder was a true mid engined replica of the original car featuring a purpose designed chassis and suspension system. and has been produced by M&W since 1987. The Technic Speedster was introduced in 1997 and was built on the traditional and well proven shortened Volkswagen Beetle chassis using Technic's own GRP bodyshell with its bonded in steel subframe for additional strength and rigidity. - www.technic-motorsport.com - www.904gts.co.uk These websites don't seem to have been updated for some time.

		Thruxton Sportscars
		Thruxton, Hampshire, UK

Thruxton Sportscars was run by Captain Rick Chattel MBE and had a brief history of importing and selling Beck Speedster and 550 replicas. During 2007 he imported 3 of each as finished cars from Chamonix in Brazil via Special Edition Inc. in the USA. With the foundation of Tribute Sportscars by Terry Watson, Thruxton did not import any more Speedsters and is no longer trading.

		Thunder Ranch
		El Cajon, California, USA

Designers and fabricators of kit cars since 1978. Run by Tom McBurnie, owner of more than 13 original Speedsters the Thunder Ranch 356 Speedster replica was a combination of faithful reproduction and modern innovation. The company also produced a 550 Spyder Replica and a Type 718 RSK Spyder Replica, all available as turnkey cars or in kit form. The company failed in 2009 and their assets were taken over by Custom Coachwerks, also in El Cajun, who who also went out of business and all the assets were purchased by Rock West Racing who continue to make Speedster replicas.

		Timeless Cars
		Schoten, Belgium

Active from 1998 to 2000. Not a lot is known about this company apart from the fact that they made a number of 356 replicas

		TPC Motor Company
		Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, UK

TPC of Stratford-upon-Avon, run by John Finchman became the UK importer for Apal in 1984 and launched the TPC Speedster under their own name at several UK car shows. They were initially successful and a number of TPC Speedster replicas are still around in the UK. The company continued to import and sell Apals until 1988 when sales began to dwindle and the company ceased trading. The marketing of Apal Speedster in the UK was taken over by Speedsters of Tunbridge Wells (run by Paul & Sandie Woodward) in 1992.

		Trac Services
		Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire, UK

Trac Services was founded by engineer Barrie Martin and based at Thruxton Circuit in 1989. The company produced a British 550 Spyder replica kit during the 1980s under the Technic name and were also involved in the restoration of original Porsche 356 models. They later added the Technic Speedster replica kit to their range based on VW Beetle underpinnings. Barrie Martin Joined forces in the mid nineties with businessman and historic Porsche racer Mike Walker and the new company, Martin & Walker (see opposite) continued to develop the Technic brand of replicas.

		Tribute Sportscars
		Northamptonshire, UK

Tribute Sportscars ws founded in 2008 by Terry Watson with the idea of acting as agent for Beck Speedsters into the UK . However only a few cars were sold before Tribute Sportscars evolved into Reincarations where the idea was to import vehicles direct from Chamonix Cars in Brazil and hold stock in the UK.

		Tygan Motor Company
		Beaminster, England

Tygan were launched in June 2007 taking over the assets of the failed Chesil Motor Company and planning to "migrate a cottage industry into a professional automotive manufacturer". The company were not successful and went into administration under the insolvency act in December 2008 with only a few cars having been supplied to customers. In January 2009, Peter Bailey, the founder of the original Chesil Company bought back the business and assets from Tygan's receivers.

		Universal Products
		South Africa

This company produces a unique 356 Speedster replica with a steel tubular sub frame side impact bars in the doors and a front impact bar for additional safety. They also produce a RSK 718 Spyder replica in two versions a VW based car that uses a Beetle engine, gear-box, suspension and chassis, and a space frame chassis version with dual wishbone suspension, Subaru boxer engine and Audi gearbox - see their website for more information.

		Vintage Replicar
		Vista, California, USA

Not a Speedster replica but a reproduction of the first ever 356 produced in 1948 - type 356-01. This company, founded by Mark Gomez produced only a few of these cars between 2009 and 2015 when they finally closed down. They used a tubular steel chassis and a 1835cc Beetle engine and offered kits and turnkey vehicles at around £33,000. Not known how many were built.

More details on the Vintage Speedsters website.