Porsche Tribute: Sportster “Speedster” by LDK

883 Cafe Racer

For Sale: Sportster “Speedster” by Lord Drake Kustoms

The 356 Speedster is one of the most desirable models that Porsche ever produced. Developed for the American market at the behest of the US importer, the Speedster debuted in late 1954 — a spartan, open-top roadster with a sheet-steel cabriolet body, lightweight bucket seats, a raked windscreen (removable for weekend racing), and a minimal rain top.

“In the USA, the 356 1500 Speedster cost just 2,995 US dollars and became an instant hit in the sunny coastal states. Hollywood icon James Dean was also an enthusiastic racing driver and chose this purist model, which was dedicated solely to the sheer pleasure of driving.” —Porsche.com

883 Cafe Racer

In 2019, Porsche released the 911 Speedster, a low-volume final variant of the 991.2-generation 911 — but it was no parts-bin special:

“The new example is the first Porsche in history that’s a bona fide GT3 production car with its roof lopped off. Beneath the slightly humped, carbon-fiber rear decklid, the race-ready, dry-sump powertrain is there, a naturally aspirated 502-hp flat-six…” Automobile

883 Cafe Racer

That engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, and Porsche says the Speedster is good for a 0-60 time of 3.8 seconds and top speed of 192 mph — quite the successor to the legendary 356 Speedster of yesteryear!

883 Cafe Racer

Enter our friend Fran Manen of Lord Drake Kustoms, a former mountaineer whose Miami and Spain-based workshop has become one of the leading names in Harley customization and beyond. Most recently, we featured LDK’s BMW “Kacer” — one of the more popular bikes we’ve featured this year.

883 Cafe Racer

Now Fran’s back with a bike he’s had in mind for a long time, based on one of his favorite platforms: the Harley-Davidson Sportster.

“The idea was to turn this Sportster 883R into a cafe racer motorcycle tribute to Porsche — hence the name ‘Speedster’ in honor of one of the most celebrated models of the German brand.”

883 Cafe Racer

Fran says the bike needed to be sporty, aggressive, and elegant to evoke the mystique of the legendary carmaker.

“It had to be a Porsche motorcycle, it had to remind you of a 911 Carrera, a Speedster, or a 917 model of the 24 hours of Le Mans.”

883 Cafe Racer

The bike has a very long list of exclusive components, including the Porsche emblems, one-off tail resembling targa seats, wood-and-chrome grips, sports gas cap, and more. The color choices and paint were also crucial, says Fran:

“A good job of painting and airbrushing on custom motorcycles like this one is absolutely necessary to obtain the right look.”

This Porsche-inspired 883R cafe racer, built in LDK’s Malaga workshop, is now for sale. Lord Drake Kustoms ships worldwide, so if you need more information or price, just contact them at [email protected] or visit www.lorddrakekustoms.com.

883 Cafe Racer

Technical Data Sheet

  • Base: Harley Davidson Sportster 883R
  • Displacement: 883cc
  • Exhaust: Vance and Hines
  • Air Filter: S&S
  • Shock Absorbers: Custom.
  • Fork: Original modified and with metal covers
  • Odometer: Dakota digital
  • Hand controls: Clip ons, grips, etc.
  • Foot controls: Modified
  • Wheels: Rear and front (fat spoke rims)
  • Fuel tank: Handcrafted
  • Seat and subframe: Custom-made
  • Front fender: Handmade
  • Rear fender: Handmade
  • Chassis: Modified subframe
  • Lighting: Front turn signals in grips, pilot and rear turn signals LEDs, control lamps, etc.

Follow Lord Drake Kustoms

Website: www.lorddrakekustoms.com
Instagram: @lorddrakekustoms
Facebook: @lorddrakekustoms
Youtube: LDK TV

 

 

6 Comments

  1. Rod Callaghan

    What an absolute insult to such an iconic sports car. And from a Harley as well, a make with, for the Kats 90 or so years at least, almost nothing in the way of any sporting pretensions whatsoever.
    You just can’t dream up something and then attach whatever tag to it that you like.
    Deal with it appropriately by sending it to the crusher,and rid the world of this complete junk travesty.

  2. …..rod’s a moron…….i’m smitten with “rocket buns” tail….

  3. Rod Callaghan

    Like the rocket buns look by all means Joe, not a problem.
    But the plain, simple and beautiful design of the 356 Speedster didn’t need to resort to such things for it’s beauty, which is the whole point of my criticism of this monstrosity.

  4. I wouldn’t be seen on this bike but the paint job looks great.

  5. It appears as if the design was taken out of an ambulating amusement-park. On a night of coloured lights, it may hold some merry attraction. Daylight will expose the tired sundriness of it all – and really, ”PORSCHE”, nothing less. I doubt even ”DAIHATSU” would feel much honoured.

  6. All that meat but no potatoes.

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