Car & Classic Dealer

LBI Limited

4500 Worth St. Philadelphia PA 19124

1955 Beck Spyder SOLD

-Showing 4, 778 Miles From New
-Fantastic Value & Fun

The original company's first major dedicated “racer” would appear in the year 1953 in the guise of the Spyder. They had already cut their teeth in the business, producing the highly successful Speedster which itself was no slouch on the racing circuits of the era. The Spyder was different, however, engineered from the start as a car that could be driven to the track, thrashed around the circuit, and then driven home. Its tiny size, low weight and punchy 1. 4 liters 4 cam air cooled engine all combined to make it something of a legend from the unveiling. Its many period race wins and low production numbers, 90 total cars over a three year period, mean that the Spyder is a highly coveted piece of Stuttgart silver and when demand is high, and supply is low, the aftermarket usually steps in to help.

The company known as Beck has been in business for close to 30 years now, helping to provide people a high dollar driving experience at a fraction of the cost. During that time they have become known as one of the premier builders of high quality, faithful recreation cars. They generally start with a proprietary, hand-built chassis, on top of which they lay their beautiful fiberglass bodies. These cars could be provided as “rollers” or with the drivetrain fully installed. Engine and transmission choices are plentiful, but the most popular tend to be VW derived flat fours; a perfect fit for this little racer.

This Spyder recreation is an early car, most likely built in Beck's second year of production. These early cars were built in Brazil and imported into the United States, not a bad thing, as they were all still heavily scrutinized and more than live up to the quality that has become synonymous with the Beck name. The engine in this example is a flat air-cooled four-cylinder, most likely displacing 2165cc's, and was built by CB Performance in Farmersville, California. The Transmission was built by Rancho Performance in southern California and is of a 3. 88 ring and pinion type with four forward gears and reverse. Having covered a mere 4778 kilometers (approx. 2968 miles) from the time it was produced, this car is in fantastic condition throughout. Not much is known regarding the service history of this car, but everything appears to be in reasonably good working order. The factory was contacted to attempt to acquire more information on the car, but they could only provide what is listed in this description.

On the outside of the car, the Silver Blue paint shines and has a consistent clean finish over the whole of the vehicle. There are no significant issues to be noted beside some minor flecking from stones during regular use as well as a small blemished area above the rear muffler which is not readily visible except when down low, presumably from the muffler bouncing when traveling over bumps. Seeing as the body is comprised of fiberglass, it remains straight and free of any corrosion or rot. The small amounts of brightwork on the car are all relatively tidy with no pitting or major flaws to note. All lenses on the car are clean and free of cracking. The body gaps are consistent with proper fitting doors as well as front and rear clamshells. The leather straps securing the rear clamshell often can get dry and cracked, but these appear to be in good condition, still pliable and soft.

Entering the cockpit, one finds the red interior neat and cleanly trimmed. The interior is supremely spartan, by design of course. The seats are in superb condition, free of any tears, pulls or creasing, the Brazilian leather, still soft and smooth. The red carpeting is free of any significant blemishes but does show its age in the form of slight fading in areas. The steering wheel is in good order and shows no signs of yellowing or cracking as this style commonly tends to do. There is some slight scuffing on the horn button, but nothing of consequence. All three gauges function flawlessly and are bright and blemish free. All buttons and switches function and a small vintage Heuer Stopwatch adorns the dash as well, providing an excellent “period” flourish to the cabin. The front windshield is clean and free of any cracks or pitting.

Opening the rear clamshell reveals the mid-mounted Volkswagen derived 2. 1-liter engine with its Weber 44 IDF carburetors. Overall, the engine area is reasonably tidy and shows little signs of heavy use. All hoses and cables appear to be supple and absent of cracking or rot. All electronics look to be in good, clean, dry order. The rear mounted spare tire looks to have possibly never been used. The chassis number is stamped on the rear cross member, below the transmission.

Opening the front clamshell reveals little other than a small storage space as well as the fuel tank. Overall this space is clean and tidy. The top and side curtains, which come with the car, are stowed in the bottom of the front storage area where they fit neatly tucked away. It also comes with a soft top and side curtains. The fuel tank looks to be in good order with no issues to note. All other surfaces under that front clamshell are free of any cracking or wear.

The underside of the car is consistent with the rest of the vehicle, showing signs of usage but remaining in solid clean condition overall. Suspension components appear to be in good order, and all braking hardware looks well kept. Despite the car being quite low, it shows no significant signs of heavy bottoming out or scraping. The floor pans are absent of any cracking, denting, etc. The underside of the engine is in good order, indicating a tightly sealed and leak free motor.

Insert the key, press the starter and the motor turns over easily. The flat four comes to life with a loud growl, and stereotypical air cooled sound and settles into an even idle. The clutch peddle is relatively light, and the gears engage easily. The throttle pedal has a bit of a hard spot in the initial push, but once that barrier is broken, the car revs up freely producing an excellent auditory response from such a small car. The brakes are solid and free of vibration and provide more than adequate braking force. The car feels light and nimble on the road, the suspension is nice and tight, just as you would want from a little racer like this.

With such low production numbers, having the chance to purchase a Spyder is very rare. Throw in the skyrocketing costs it takes to actually purchase one, piloting a Spyder quickly moves out of the realm of reality for most men. But luckily the folks over at Beck make a supremely good recreation. Sitting behind the wheel, you will find yourself hard-pressed to be contemplating the differences between this and genuine car as you will be having far too much fun. With go-cart like handling, a punchy air-cooled flat four-cylinder engine, and drop-dead gorgeous vintage good looks, there is so much to love about this Beck Spyder.

Please visit - details above for many more photos and details. Worldwide shipping is available upon request. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @LBILimited. #claimyourclassic.

This advert has now been removed through sale or otherwise.
Please see the list below for similar live adverts.

Similar Adverts

1955 Ford Thunderbird 292ci Engine Fordomatic Left Hand Drive California Car No Rust No Welding Power Steering, Power Brakes, Power Windows, Four Way Power Seat. 2 Speed Electric Wipers Telescopic Steering Wheel Soft top and Hard top New Stainless Steel Fuel Pipes New Petrol Tank New Brake Lines New Brakes New ...

17 Feb 2024
Nottinghamshire
Private

Original 1961 Ferrari 250GTE Series I 2+2 by Pininfarina with Matching Numbers This 1961 Ferrari 250GTE Series I 2+2 by Pininfarna is an extremely original matching numbers example that's been sitting in storage patiently awaiting straightforward restoration. Attractive black over burgundy leather interior. An unrestored ...

27 Mar 2024
United States

1955 Austin-Healey 100 BN1 Chassis Number: BN1/224691 Engine Number: 1B/222563 Batch/Body Number: 5179 7089 For sale is a historic Austin-Healey 100 (BN1/224691) which was built on 9 March 1955 and delivered to Larke Hoskins in Sydney to be sold through the New South Wales Austin dealer network. When new it was ...

9,999
24 Mar 2024
Australia
Private

KOMBI SAFÁRI KARMANN GHIA - YEAR 1982 - RELIC! VEHICLE DESCRIPTION Volkswagen Kombi BRAND: Karmann Ghia MODEL: Safari ASSEMBLY YEAR: 1982 CHASSIS YEAR: 1982 ACCOMMODATIONS: 4 people Additional Information KOMBI SAFÁRI KARMANN GHIA - YEAR 1982 - RELIC! VEHICLE COLLECTOR'S BLACK PLATE. IMPECCABLE! Only ...

23 Mar 2024
Brazil

“624 UXT” – 1956 Land Rover Series 1 86” Description: Family owned for the past 25 years, originally purchased from a local garage and completely stripped down followed by a comprehensive rebuild. The vehicle is a full matching numbers car. It has benfitied from the following: Strip down to bare original chassis ...

1,620
17 Mar 2024
Warwickshire
Private
45
Picture of 1929 H.E. 16/60 - For Sale

- 1929 HE 16/60 for sale - Extremely rare survivor from sporting British marque - 2.3-litre six-cylinder engine - Fabric-bodied four-seater tourer This rare 1929 long-wheelbase HE 16/60 is thought to be one of only three or four surviving six-cylinder cars built during the inter-war period by the Herbert Engineering ...

15 Mar 2024
Gloucestershire
Premium Dealer (see stock)

Fiat 1100 I first series, year 1955, conservative restoration, only 2 owners in 68 years, original iron plates, original registration papers, ASI approved, with use and maintenance booklets and spare parts (unobtainable), interior and woodwork preserved original. Complete with tool bag, original jack, triangle and original ...

65,400
10 Mar 2024
Italy
Private

1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SL Convertible This car just came in.More information and additional pictures will follow as soon as possible.For more information you should contact us.US Import, This car already has been imported in the European Union.All import taxes and fees are already paid for.The car has a US Title and EU ...

102,529
22 Mar 2024
Germany

FUN, FUN, FUN ! Said the Beach Boys and so you can in this beautiful 1955 Ford Thunderbird. Mileage 59,500. This car has had a complete frame off restoration. It runs a 5.9, 351, V8 Windsor engine and is a 3 speed automatic , with front discs. It has a new folding roof that sits behind the bench seat, also, ...

59,500
7 Mar 2024
Wales
Private

Well looked after TR2 fitted with overdrive. Runs great and was used every year to travel around Italy and France. Comes with hood and frame. This was my fathers car and should be used, hence the sale.<br><br>Sounds, runs and looks great.<br><br>

26,000
22 Mar 2024
Cleveland
Private

Simca 9 Sport Red very original car with some periodic options Simca 9 Sport Blue ,with 2 single carburatorset and very clean old restauration Simca Aronde 1951 preserie very unic Very Unic cars Both eglible for Mille Miglia Rally - Tour Auto & more ...

21 Mar 2024
Belgium

Project: Berna was a Swiss manufacturer of busses and lorries and existed form 1965 to 1978. This Berna 5U 550 T2LM-K is in exceptional original condition with only 395,000 km on the clock. The tipper has 3 axles which allows for backward and both left and right sideways tipping. The chassis is completely original and ...

395,323
21 Mar 2024
Netherlands

Mecanicaly restaured : engine ( pistons crankshaft, camshaft bearings, valves ) clutch, exhausts, brakes - shoes, pipes - also : completec new wireloom , new disguisded alternator, new rear suspensions, 5 new tyres, Starts at first push on starter button, French technical Control 2017 without remarks, Drives and brakes ...

17,500
27 Jan 2024
France
Private
35
Picture of 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL - For Sale

Hilton & Moss are pleased to bring this beautiful Mercedes-Benz (W121) 190SL to the market. The 190SL model was produced from May 1955 to 1963 making this a particularly early example first registered in the US in February 02 1956. This means that this vehicle is fitted with the rare (W198) 300SL bucket style seats.   This ...

95,000
19 Mar 2024
Hertfordshire
Premium Verified Dealer (see stock)
14
Picture of 2008 Caparo T1 - For Sale

The Caparo T1 is a British mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, two-seat automobile built by Caparo Vehicle Technologies, founded by design director Ben Scott-Geddes and engineering director Graham Halstead, engineers formerly involved in the development of the McLaren F1 .The T1 was inspired by Formula One design, and intended ...

500
19 Mar 2024
Norfolk
Premium Verified Dealer (see stock)