Few people know this, but Greece has its very own car manufacturer—small in size, yet internationally recognized.
Meet Replicar Hellas (RCH), a boutique carmaker founded in 2007 in Katerini, Pieria, by Elias Gaganelis. The company specializes in handcrafting brand-new cars with vintage design, reviving the charm of classic automotive eras.
A Passion for the Classics
By Buch-t – Work by the uploader, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Replicar Hellas is known for producing high-quality replicas of classic Porsche models—particularly those from the 1950s. The lineup includes faithful recreations of the Porsche 356 Speedster and the iconic 550 Spyder, and the company has even created models inspired by the legendary Volkswagen Beetle.
Due to the lack of a legal framework in Greece for such custom-made vehicles, Replicar’s creations were initially not allowed for domestic sale. For years, every car produced was exported—mainly to European countries. It wasn’t until 2014 that the company was permitted to sell its vehicles within Greece.
From Germany to Greece: A Dream Takes Shape
By Buch-t – Work by the uploader, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
The journey began in 1996 when Elias Gaganelis moved from Germany—where he was born and raised—to Greece, with the dream of starting his own car manufacturing business. Speaking to epixeiro.gr, he reflected:
"When I first came to Greece and tried to start the business, I kept running into obstacles. After a lot of hardship, I finally managed to establish Replicar Hellas in 2007. Keep in mind, I started this venture right when the financial crisis was starting to rear its head, so many of my friends thought I was crazy."
Crafting a Legend, One Car at a Time
By Buch-t – Work by the uploader, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
So, what exactly does Replicar Hellas do? In the words of Gaganelis:
“We primarily build replicas of Porsche models from the 1950s and 60s. We manufacture three types of cars: the Speedster, the Carrera Spyder, and the Wide Body. The first two are built on a central tube chassis sourced from old Volkswagen Beetles. This allows us to retain a vintage VIN number, which is something our customers specifically request—they don’t just want a car that looks old, they want it to be old, even on paper."
And as he emphasized, “No one who buys one of these cars wants a modern engine under the hood.”
Custom Chassis and Premium Pricing
By Alexander Migl – Work by the uploader, CC BY-SA 4.0
The third model, the Wide Body, is built entirely from scratch—no Beetle chassis here. Instead, the company constructs a high-quality, hand-built Eastern-style chassis. As Gaganelis notes, “These cars can cost anywhere between €130,000 and €140,000.”
The parts are sourced from countries across the globe, with only the tires being supplied from Greece.
A Small but Mighty Team
Replicar Hellas currently employs 12 people, and they have the capacity to produce six cars per quarter.
“We can build 2–3 cars per month,” says Gaganelis, “but we’d need more staff and a bigger facility to increase production. Depending on demand, we build between 15 and 30 cars a year.”
The company recently signed a 2.5-year contract with Austria, agreeing to deliver 25 cars annually.
Global Demand, Local Restrictions
By Alexander Migl – Work by the uploader, CC BY-SA 4.0
The handcrafted cars of Replicar Hellas are in high demand abroad, thanks to both their quality and the allure of the models themselves. For example, the Spyder, made famous as the car James Dean was driving when he died in 1955, has a cult following among collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
Replicar Hellas exports its vehicles to 17 countries, including:
United Kingdom
Germany
Belgium
Luxembourg
Switzerland
Uruguay
Tunisia
Canada
...and others.
In contrast, only 16 vehicles have been registered with Greek plates, due to local bureaucratic hurdles.
Expanding the Lineup
In late 2016, Replicar Hellas introduced its very own Beach Buggy model, adding a unique touch to its already nostalgic lineup.
Watch the Story
In a video by Vasilis Saribalidis, Sokratis Gaganelis shares insights about the company, its history, and showcases the RCH 356, now exported to 17 countries.
Also, don’t miss the full report by Naftemporiki for more details.
