Rising prices and demand for air-cooled Porsches mean you can expect to pay a small fortune for an original 356 Speedster - and that's if you can even find one for sale. Happily, there is now an easier alternative thanks to the independent Arizona-based tuner Starke, which is selling authentic replicas of the 356 Speedster with contemporary components based on the Porsche Boxster. Using custom exterior and interior parts, Starke has done a commendable job of faithfully replicating the look of the iconic 1950s roadster.

Starke is accepting donor Porsche Boxsters covering model years from 1998 – 2012 with any transmission. The conversion process starts by stripping down the sports car down to its bare shell, before fitting new body panels that accurately replicate the original Speedster's curvaceous design, wheel arches, and distinctive circular headlights. Every Starke Speedster is built to order, so customers can choose specific exterior, upholstery and trim colors for their replica. The Starke Speedster's retro-inspired interior is minimalist, but it's been fitted with modern luxuries including an infotainment system with satellite navigation.

A variety of conversion packages are available to suit different budgets, but the prices exclude the donor car. The cheapest conversion model is the retro-inspired Speedster CS starting at $59,950 featuring polished bumpers and a metallic trim for a retro look. For $79,950, you can opt for the sportier and more modern-looking Revolution Speedster Outlaw which widens the body and adds a new exhaust system and Bilstein adjustable coilovers. As the name implies, the $149,950 Speedster Carbon Fiber Outlaw adds lightweight carbon fiber panels and upgrades the engine to a 3.7-liter with up to 375-hp and 350 lb-ft of torque.