By D. Brian Smith
The kit car industry, Porsche fans, and the buying public are fortunate to have another high-quality 550 Spyder replica manufacturer-Stuttgart Spyders. Andy Shouse founded the company in January 2006, but he's no stranger to the vintage Porsche replica community. Years ago, Andy shortened VW pans that he reconditioned and sold to one of the Speedster replica companies. Since he'd long been an avid Porsche-phile and he happened to own a prominent salvage yard in Southern California, it was a natural extension of his business.
One year and three months after going into the replica industry as a manufacturer, Stuttgart Spyders had its first running prototype/demonstrator. KIT CAR heard about this new roadster and wanted to see it in action, so we invited them to the premiere KIT CAR Performance Day. As a testament to how well constructed Stuttgart's 550 is, the sports car performed admirably in all four tests. What's more, we were able to drive the car and get a feel for it. We made some high-speed passes on several of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station runways and had a tremendous time.
Andy was on the fine edge of being in control going clockwise on the skidpad course (photo by Tim Bernsau).
The roadster handles like a go-cart, goes like there's a jet engine right behind the cockpit, and stops short, straight, and true. We wanted to take the Teutonic terror off the tarmac and head for some SoCal canyon roads to attack the curves and see how this 550 runs in its expected environment. Perhaps another time and place. If the test numbers are any indication of how the car feels at speed, then we'd like to order one for the morning work commute and especially for R&R. Now all we need is some money and spare garage space, two items most of us are lacking.
We understand that Stuttgart Spyders' production facility in Paramount, California, has over 10 cars in various states of construction, and they're taking orders for more. Though they're a young replica manufacturer, the company is off to a strong start, and is run by honest, hard-working, intelligent, and enthusiastic car folks.
KIT CAR welcomes Stuttgart Spyders and hopes to see many more of these nice machines on the road and at the shows soon. We promise to visit them and run a behind-the-scenes story in an upcoming magazine, so stay tuned.
On the engine dyno, the 2,332cc VW air-cooled powerplant built by Rhoads Enterprises registered a righteous 160 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. | 
Offering a bit of flash to the all-business interior, A&M Upholstery trimmed the seats in red vinyl and added Sparco four-position safety harnesses. | 
With the exception of the Stuttgart logo on the banjo steering wheel, everything about the dashboard looks as if it could have come direct from the Porsche factory. |
Within the trunk is a Stuttgart Spyders custom fuel tank. There's still plenty of room for stowing soft luggage. | 
The rear wheels on the 550 are 15x5.5-inch Mangels shod with 195/60R15 Yokohama Avid H4S radials. | |
Stuttgart Spyders
Phone: (562) 633-2123
Web site: www.stuttgartspyders.com
Vehicle
Year and type/model: 1956 Porsche 550 Spyder
Pricing
Price of Kit: $25,500
Total Price as Tested: $36,000
Components Included In Kit
Chassis
Frame: Tubular steel ladder frame comprised of two-inch main framerails, 1.75-inch and 1.50-inch tubes
Wheelbase: 84.25"
Rear Suspension: Swing axle w/custom valve, Bilstein coilovers
Front Suspension: Torsion-bar front beam
Shocks: Stuttgart Spyders custom-tuned Bilsteins
Rear Brakes: AC Industries disc brakes
Front Brakes: AC Industries disc brakes
Brake Lines: Techna-Fit stainless steel
Master Cylinder: AC Industries four-wheel disc brake M/C
Steering: VW
Front Wheel Make & Size: 15x5 Mangels
Rear Wheel Make & Size: 15x5.5 Mangels
Front Tire Make & Size: 185/65R15 Yokohama Avid H4S
Rear Tire Make & Size: 195/60R15 Yokohama Avid H4S
Body
Paint Brand/Type: Sikkens two-stage, Astral Poly Silver
Windshield/Glass: Reproduction of original/DOT glass
Lights: Replicate original
Mirrors: Replicate original
Emblems and Trim: Replicate original
Fuel System: Weber Fuel pump and 44 IDF carbs
Fuel Tank: Stuttgart Spyders custom tank, 10 gallons
Interior
Gauges: 356 Speedster style
Steering Wheel: Flat 4 banjo style
Seating: Two buckets, replicate original
Upholstery: A&M Upholstery w/Sparco four-point seatbelts
Material: Red vinyl
Drivetrain
Engine Brand: Volkswagen, 2,332cc
Engine Type: Type 1 Flat 4 air-cooled
Horsepower: 160
Torque: 170 lb-ft
Air cleaner: Weber
Ignition: MSD distributor w/SS coil & 6AL control box
Headers: Stuttgart Spyders/Tri-Mil
Exhaust System: Stuttgart Spyders/Tri-Mil
Engine Builder: Dave Rhoads, owner of Rhoads Enterprises
Transmission Type: Four-speed Type 1 swing axle w/3.44 ring-and-pinion
Shifter: Jamar Performance
Battery: Odyssey Dry Cell
Performance
Acceleration
0-60 mph: 5.16 seconds
Braking
Minimum stopping distance from 60 mph: 144.86 ft
Handling
Lateral acceleration: .83g
Balance: Oversteer
Slalom speed (420-foot slalom): 46.2 mph
Lateral seat support: Good
Test Conditions
Temperature: 75 degrees Fahrenheit
Humidity: 30 percent
Elevation: 52 feet above sea level
Wind: Less than 5 mph
Location: El Toro, California