356RS Speedster Kits and Parts
About
Welcome to 356RS Speedsters NZ, we develop 356RS Speedster Kits and source parts to create your own custom 356RS Porsche Speedster replica.
Our new 356RS Pascoe chassis is a modern super slick chassis built from the ground up. We source the latest components, suspension and running gear.
We will update this page when more news and pricing is available.
Building your dream has never been easier…
Check out our Facebook pageInspiration
The Porsche 356 Speedster is one of the most recognisable sports cars ever built. It arrived in 1954 after Porsche's American importer, Max Hoffman, convinced the factory that a stripped-back, lower-priced open 356 would sell in the United States. Out went the wind-up windows and the tall windscreen; in came a low, raked screen, bucket seats and a minimal folding top – and a price tag under US$3,000.
Only around 4,000 Speedsters were built before production ended in 1958. Light weight, an air-cooled flat-four and pure, simple lines made it a favourite on the racetrack and the road, and owners included James Dean and Steve McQueen. Today original cars change hands for hundreds of thousands of dollars – which is exactly why the 356RS Speedster exists: the same shape and spirit, built to be driven.
Browse the gallery for a little inspiration, from bare-metal show cars to Speedsters on the open road. Click any image to view it full screen.
A Build
Every 356RS Speedster starts the same way: a set of drawings and a bare chassis. Follow one of our builds from blueprints to finished car – prepping the front axle and brakes, fitting the Speedster body to the chassis, paint, interior trim and, finally, the first drive. Drag to scroll through the photos, or click to view them full screen.
Articles
Reading about the Porsche 356 Speedster is almost as good as driving one. We've collected some of our favourite articles on the history of the Speedster, what makes it such an icon, and what it's like to live with one today – including a Kiwi owner's story of building an accurate replica right here in New Zealand.
CNET.com
Driving a 1956 Porsche 356 Speedster made me a believer
A classic example of how being wrong can be oh-so-right.
There's a common axiom among car journalists: Don't drive your heroes. It's a riff on the more universal sentiment, "don't meet your heroes," the idea being that whatever personal idolatry you've fostered in your mind about someone or something can't possibly be lived up to...
motorauthority.com
Open-top driving at its purest: A brief history of the Porsche Speedster
Porsche has just started production of a modern Speedster based on its 991-generation 911. Unveiled in April at the 2019 New York International Auto Show, the car continues a legacy of Porsche...
roadscholars.com
The Last Speedsters
The 356 Speedster will always be a Porsche and cultural icon, much like the 1973 Porsche 911 2.7 RS. It's an intrinsically cool design that will continue to transcend markets with each generation of Porsche collectors. The 356 Speedster is an outlier; attracting buyers who are not necess...
TopGear
A brief history of Porsche Speedsters
It all came about when Porsche’s American importer convinced ze Germans there was a market for an open, stripped-out model costing less than $3,000. And so in 1954 the 356 Speedster was born. It had the same body as the Cabriolet model...
drivencarguide.co.nz
Me & My Car: Porsche's most iconic shape? Inside a 356 Speedster
I started Homage.co.nz in 2007 with the idea of bringing high-quality reproduction and original furniture designs from the 50s and 60s to people who loved them, like me, but couldn't afford them. The idea of having an accurate replica Speedster was a natural progression...
audrainautomuseum.org
1956 Porsche 356 Speedster
The Porsche 356 was the brand's first production model that truly launched the company after World War II. About 50 models were handmade from aluminum in Gmünd, Austria between 1948 and 1950...
Frequently Asked Questions
Thinking about building a 356 Speedster replica? Here are the questions we get asked most. If yours isn't here, send us a message.
- What is a 356RS Speedster?
- A 356RS Speedster is a replica of the Porsche 356 Speedster, the lightweight open-top sports car Porsche built from 1954 to 1958. Our kits pair the classic Speedster body shape with the 356RS Pascoe chassis and modern components, so you get the look of the original with the reliability and drivability of a modern car.
- Is a 356RS Speedster a real Porsche?
- No. 356RS Speedsters are replica kit cars inspired by the Porsche 356 Speedster and are not manufactured by, or affiliated with, Porsche AG. Original 356 Speedsters are rare and very collectable; a replica lets you enjoy the same design every day without the cost and worry of driving an irreplaceable classic.
- What is the 356RS Pascoe chassis?
- The Pascoe chassis is our own 356RS chassis, designed and built from the ground up as a modern platform for the Speedster body. It is engineered to take the latest suspension, brakes and running gear, giving the car far better handling, braking and reliability than a 1950s original.
- How much does a 356RS Speedster kit cost?
- We are finalising kit options and pricing now. Send us a message through the contact form and we will keep you updated with pricing and availability as it is released.
- Can I register a replica Speedster for the road in New Zealand?
- Yes. Kit and replica cars built in New Zealand go through Low Volume Vehicle (LVV) certification before they can be registered for road use. It is a well-established process, and it is worth planning for it from the start of your build so the finished car sails through.
- How can I follow the progress of 356RS Speedsters?
- Follow our Facebook page for build photos, news and updates, or send us a message through the contact form and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Want to start building?
Get building Today!
Whether you're ready to order a 356RS Speedster kit, need parts for a build that's already underway, or just want to talk Speedsters, send us a message and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
You can also follow 356RS Speedster Kit Cars on Facebook for the latest build photos, news and pricing updates.