1969 Technic 550 Spyder
Hampshire-based Barrie Martin conceived this fiberglass replica in the late 1980s as an affordable tribute to Porsche’s legendary 550 Spyder racing car, with production generally attributed to Martin’s long-running kit-car operation rather than to a 1969 launch date.
With authentic Porsche 550 Spyders now commanding seven-figure prices and only about 90 original cars built from 1953 to 1956, the Technic provided enthusiasts access to the iconic silhouette without the genuine car’s rarity or value.
The replica utilized readily available Volkswagen Beetle running gear paired with a tubular steel chassis and lightweight fiberglass bodywork, rather than the original Porsche’s alloy-bodied spaceframe construction.
Most examples featured air-cooled flat-four engines in various displacements, commonly in the 1.6‑liter range, paired with a four-speed manual transmission, and while the engine sits behind the seats, the layout is effectively a rear-engine Beetle-based arrangement rather than a pure mid-engine Fuhrmann four-cam like the original.
Martin’s company (now Martin and Walker) supplied approximately 150 examples as either self-assembly kits or completed turnkey vehicles.
Attention to period-inspired details typically included slanted-style headlights, twin engine grilles, external hood straps, and appropriately sized 15-inch wheels, though exact trim and detailing vary from car to car.
The lightweight construction and Beetle-based mechanicals made the Technic 550 manageable for home builders while delivering lively performance, but outright acceleration and top speed fall well short of an original 550 Spyder’s roughly 140 mph capability and race-bred chassis responses.
Even so, these replicas have gained their own following as the kit car market has matured, valued as usable tribute cars that evoke the character and appearance of the 550 without the risks or cost associated with an authentic Porsche racer.
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