It was bright red. I was traveling in the opposite direction, so I can't guarantee it wasn't a replica. Two thoughts: it really does look like an upside down bathtub, and in today's traffic, it looks tiny! I've only ever seen one other one on the road, and that was more than 20 years ago. That one was being driven by Dave Tallaksen, longtime SCCA steward and former driver, who was also a family friend.

Today, I saw a 550 spyder, not far from where I saw the Speedster. Same bright red color. I'm thinking these are both replicas. I saw a 550 in front of the local pizza joint a couple of years ago. It wasn't badged as such, but I'm guessing that it was a Beck. After all, who takes a 550 Spyder out for pizza?

Funny, I saw an old 356 today (faded Red, a '62 I think). We exchanged flashed lights, waves and grins. Love it.

I'm also thinking the driver looks old enough to be the first owner and then it occurs to me that he probably is younger than me....

Beck and others make both Speedster and 550 replicas. The 550 you saw was almost certainly a replica. Here is a real one taken at the Monterey Historics last year. One of these easily won class races at Monterey, but it also looked like the driver had significant experience.

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