Type 540 The 356 SPEEDSTER

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[Gearz]

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[S.J.Szabo]

Would anyone more informed than myself care to discuss hardtops for Speeders?

I (think I) know there was at least one aftermarket version; were there more?

What about Factory versions? I'm wild-guessing that the version one the black one above might be such an example...

[JTR70]

Hi SJ,

There was never a factory Speedster hardtop offered from Porsche. All hardtops were aftermarket and made here in the Good old U.S. of A!
The black car above has the best looking top ever offered for a Speedster and it was made by an American company called Glasspar. It did however receive Porsches blessing.


Another hardtop version was from a company called Plasticon. Pictured above with a higher roofline profile and larger side window openings. Not nearly as slick and eye-appealing as the Glasspar In my opinion.

Several years ago I purchased an original Glasspar for my coupser. It was complete with all windows and hardware. The hardware and trim definitely had an American made feel and look to them; They certainly would not be confused with anything from Germany. As a matter of fact the alloy extrusion around the side window openings was the very same molding you would find on the leading edge of a kitchen table from the 50's or late 60's. It was comprised of simple cheap and readily available material of the day.

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[S.J.Szabo]

I've known both names and have seen several of both, tho most were in the condition of yours. If I've seen one of the Glaspars trimmed out as well as the one on the black Speeder, it slips my old brain cells.

The Mercedes SL-like "vent" of the Plasticon always fascinated me. I've always thought it a neat idea to work it into a real exhaust vent w/a finished edge and a few short vertical grill bars.

Were the rear quarters of the Plasticon fixed?

[JTR70]

I agree, the vent on top is an interesting detail with the Plasticon. It didn't have quarter windows; only side glass. The Glasspar was the only top I know of with quarter windows.

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[Trevor]

^^^ Pretty sure those are Freeman Thomas' cars at Cars N Coffee here in SoCal.

Here are two more Speedsters that I took pics of while at Jack's.



shop.