@Jimmy V. posted:To add to what Lane said above, without seeing the engine compartment we have no way of knowing what engine is powering the speedster. I will say in my experience there is a night and day difference between a Speedster replica powered by a VW engine and one powered by well sorted and engineered Subaru engine with a transaxle that has gearing to match the Subaru power band. This could be a Rancho Pro Suby 4 speed or the Subaru 5 speed transaxle. I had a VW powered Speedster replica that I had converted to Suby power by Special Edition, and it made it into a entirely different and better driving car. Some like the feel and authenticity of an air-cooled engine but it felt like a toy car verses a real sports car that was immensely more enjoyable to drive. If I were in the market for a Speedster replica and had the time money and patience, I would drive one with VW Type1 power and a well-done Subaru powered car to help in making the decision. I commend you for renting a one first. Most of us didn't do that and many were unhappy with the car they bought or had built for them. At this point a good Speedster replica is a substantial investment. Not the $9K I paid for a Turnkey CMC back in the early 2000's. Good luck with you research mission. I recommend you ask the owner of the Speedster you are renting for the engine make and size and any other details about that particular build. There is a big difference in quality and performance and resale price from builder to builder. The lowest being Classic Motor Carriage or Fiberfab and the highest being Intermeccanica, Vintage and the Special Edition built Becks. The late model Beck Speedster are and some of the Intermeccanica cars are built on purpose-built frames and upgraded suspensions as compared to being built on a shortened VW Beetle Chassis or Pan.
Thanks so much for your detailed response. In regards to what builder I'm going to go with if I do decide to pull the trigger, I have narrowed it down to VIntage and Beck, and I have already decided to go with the more powerful Subaru engine, though I'm not sure if Vintage offer that as an option? Beck look like the more affordable option, though I will obviously be speaking to both to see what the final cost would be for the spec I want. As for driving a Subaru powered car, assuming the one I'm renting the on Saturday isn't that, I have no idea how I'd go about getting my hands on one to drive. Any advice on that would be appreciated.