Slinky Speedster

Colie and Jackie Brown's daughter, Stephanie, made the Dean's List in school for three straight years and maintained a 4.0 average in her senior year. Being dutiful parents, as well as car enthusiasts, the Browns could only go one way to reward the scholastic efforts. That way was to build a '57 Porsche Speedster replica, complete with 930 flares.

Having previously modified a '32 full-fendered Ford street rod, Colie Brown contacted JPS Motorsports and set his sights on re-creating a car he had admired for nearly 40 years. It took him two months of work and what he finished with was the sexy Speedster you see pictured here at the Carlisle Kit Car Nationals with model Marisa Ervin.

On a stock Volkswagen frame, shortened by 12 inches, with a wheelbase of 83 inches, the frame was reinforced with a rollbar. The rearend is a 3:88 '72 Volskie. Brown added heavy-duty CV joints and side plates, and welded other modifications onto the rearend to accommodate KYB gas shocks. He relocated the battery to the front. The frontend includes KYB shocks, a VW ball-joint front suspension, Karmann Ghia disc brakes and spindles, TRW steering box, '72 VW steering column, and 7x15 wheels in front with 8x15s in the back.

Next, Brown installed a CB Performance manifold, Schwitzer turbocharger, and a pair of Dellortos DLRA48 carburetors. He added 1-inch custom headers, a full flow-case external oil cooler and oil filter, and put in a Bosche 009 electronic ignition as well as Mahle 7.8:1 pistons. The trannie is a standard '72 VW Type-1 4-speed with Kennedy clutch and 2000-pound pressure plate.

Under the hood in the rear is a 1995 CB Performance turbo engine that began life with a displacement of 1600cc, but which has been modified to its current life as a 2110cc powerplant. The chromed engine is complimented by a Bosche 60-amp alternator, urethane motor mounts and CB Performance heads.

The powerplant has propelled the 1250 pound car (curb weight) to a top speed of 125 mph and a quarter-mile best of 13.7 seconds (top speed 101mph). The acceleration helped Brown earn Run And Gun trophies in his class in both the drags and the road course. Of course that was with the senior Brown behind the wheel and not the car's owner, Stephanie, who prefers to enjoy the car on the road and not the roadcourse.

But the breathtaking aspect of this car for the Browns is the '57 Porsche Speedster body...lithe with 930 flares. Painted BASF Porsche White, the body is accentuated with VW Halogen lights. Inside the driver's compartment is a JPS dashboard, 914 modified gauges, an Alpine CDE-7828 stereo tape player, LeCarra steering wheel, tan leather upholstery, black pile carpet, and Deist 5-point seat belts.

As for Stephanie, she is enthusiastic about her dad's car choice, as well as his hard work and parts list selection. To her this is an original...and looking at it, as we can see here...this replica certainly is.