Custom Porsche 356-Style Speedster Built for ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons: A Unique Piece of Automotive History
This custom Porsche 356-style Speedster was built for ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons in the late 1980s. Known as the "taco wagon," it was designed for running errands and featured in a magazine. The Porsche 356 Speedster is a popular design for replica kit cars, often based on a VW Beetle platform with a fiberglass body.
The original Porsche 356 Speedster was created in the 1950s for the American market, focusing on style and simplicity. It was a stripped-down, lower-priced open-top model with a minimalist sports racer feel. The Speedster was a hit in Southern California and became a favorite among young owners, including James Dean.
Mechanically, the Speedster retained the 356's air-cooled flat-four engines, offering a lively driving experience. Production of the Speedster lasted until 1958, with over 4,100 cars built. The Speedster's success in the US cemented Porsche's competition image and influenced future designs.
This custom Speedster was built by D&D Specialty Cars for Billy Gibbons and features a black fiberglass body with a widebody Speedster-style profile. The interior is trimmed in black upholstery with bucket seats and modern amenities like air conditioning and a stereo system. The car is powered by a 1,776cc flat-four engine with dual Weber carburetors and rides on a CarGem frame.
The engine was rebuilt in 2019, and the car comes with documentation and a magazine feature. It is titled as a 1955 356 Roadster and is currently for sale in Westwood, New Jersey. If you're interested in owning this unique piece of automotive history, you can find more information and place a bid on the listing.