1958 Porsche 356 CMC Speedster Replica Polar Grey Air Cooled

1958 Porsche 356 CMC Speedster Replica Description

What We Know:
This Speedster was assembled by the previous owner, who had purchased the kit from a company called Classic Motor Carriages (CMC). Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, CMC was the largest manufacturer of automotive replicas in the United States. Primarily focused on Porsches and early Fords, CMC sold customers kits which included a frame, fiberglass body, interior, and an instructional booklet as to how to assemble the vehicle (which we have in-hand with notes specific to this car). Customers were then able to take some liberties in selecting a powerplant; Speedster buyers tended to opt for a small Volkswagen engine, as the dimensions and power delivery characteristics were quite similar to the real thing. This particular CMC Speedster is very well done; built on a ‘70 Super Beetle pan shortened by 11”, power comes from an 1835cc air-cooled VW motor. Body panels fit well, and Porsche Polar Grey paint over burgundy leather is a phenomenal colorway.
The Exterior:
This car is a great representation of the unobtainium that is the Porsche Speedster. Aside from the aftermarket wheels and 911 steering wheel/gauges, which are of course easily swapped out, this car appears just like the real thing. It absolutely has presence; even alongside the serious collector cars in our showroom, the Speedster is the one that really catches the eye. The car is painted in Porsche’s own Polar Grey, with color-matched front and rear bumpers. Bumpers are both in excellent shape, with no rock chips at all. There are fog lights mounted on the front bumper with leather covers, also in excellent shape, which give the car the slight outlaw-look that we love. Chrome is well presented throughout, with no bubbling anywhere. All rubber trim is perfectly intact and fits properly. Panel gaps on the front and rear are dead on, with slightly larger (just under 1cm) gaps where the top of the door meets the rear fenders. Interior car cover is free of scratches or tears, and buttons down without issue. While the exterior shows well, there are a couple little things to be aware of. There is some slight yellowing of the clear coat on the fenders, as well as evidence of touch-up paint along the passenger-side crease of the rear deck lid, and a spot along the driver-side hood crease that has a slight orange-peel texture to it.
The Interior:
Burgundy leather interior contrasts very well with the grey exterior. Seats are in great shape with no cracks or blisters and are very comfortable and supportive while blasting through the twisties, albeit somewhat narrow for “wider” drivers. A Dual XDM6350 receiver with detachable face and DS speakers was installed in 2011 and sounds great. This car also has two cup-holders installed, making it the perfect weekend coffee-getter.
Under the Hood / Under the Car:
The clutch and brake master cylinder were both replaced during the winter of 2014/2015. The car is running an 1835cc air-cooled VW four-cylinder (AS41 Brazilian case) and sits on Monro-Matic 31542 shocks, 15” knock-off wheels with polished lips, and new 165/80R15 Nankang tires. Fiberglass is in great shape underneath, and there is no surface rust present on any of the components.
The Final Assessment:
Always dreamed of owning a Speedster? Me too. As a Porsche enthusiast, the Speedster has always been one of my if-money-were-no-object cars. This replica is a great way to get the same open-air experience and stunning vintage-racer style, all while maintaining a reasonable budget. While it wont win many drag races, this car absolutely gets the adrenaline flowing; driving this Speedster is a truly special experience and one that I will not soon forget. If interested, give us a call at Evolve Motors today!