1955 Speedster For Sale

Did you want money for it?

Good catch, Will.

 

Yes, I updated the post with the price.

 

Thanks!

Your post is a little confusing- what are the tire size(s), and how old are they? What cam is in it- FK7? FK8? If I'm reading this right, an oil cooler is over the air inlet on the shroud? Is there a factory oil cooler mounted to the block? Does it have a full flow filter? Any idea on the gear ratios? Any pics of the independent suspension?

How does the top attach to the windshield? Pictures?

I took a look at the build sheet (I bought it built) and the description says it has a FK7-8+ cam. I'll try to post the actual build sheet.

There is an oil cooler on the shroud, not sure about the block.

The transmission is out of stock 1976 Porsche 911.

 

The tires are 2 years old; size 225/50R15.

 

Take a look at the latest pictures I uploaded.

 

 

What's the GVW of the car with full tank of gas, with or without factory oil-cooler and those tires? How old is the cam? Is that Porsche trans from a Targa or Coupe? MaryAnn or Ginger? Do you like chicken pot pie? 

 

Good looking car with nice modifications, YoungSpeedster! There's someone out there looking for this car. Best of luck with the sale. 

Very nice looking car and priced well. I'd really like to see how the windscreen is attached to the body, very clean look. My eyes aren't so good anymore, are there tail lights?

Where's the E-brake?

Can you post anymore pictures of the top attached and its attachment points?

Also the inner lining of the header bow.

Nice looking car.

 

Bill...in the first picture of the first post, you can see the frenched in taillights on either side of the license plate. Lots of glare in the picture. But the lights are there.

The 1967 911 transaxle- does that mean it's a 5 speed? I'd be listing that little tidbit in ad somewhere...

Yes, it has a 5-speed. Very smooth. I do not know anything about the donor car for the transmission.

 

I estimate the GVW at around 1900 lbs.

 

The car does not have an e-brake, it has disk brakes all around, but the setup is from a baja bug. I've never had issues parking on hills when I leave it in gear...it also came with a chalk for the rear wheels...go figure.

 

I'll post pictures with the roof on tomorrow, along with detailed pics of the windscreen and roof mounting points.

 

I appreciate you guys picking this apart...that's why I became a member!

 

I uploaded the PDF spec sheet in the second set of pictures if anyone is curious of the build and dates. Most work was completed in 1993.

 

"...it also came with a chalk for the rear wheels...go figure."

 

More likely it came with a chock for the rear wheels, unless you use the chalk to avoid parking tickets. 

 

 And that's my grammar lesson for the day, folks...

 

Try the veal, I'm here all week.

Bob, your last post was really chock full of information.

Bob - My pet peeve is "Breaks" --- usually I fix my brakes when they break - not BREAK them!  From recent ZT Motors Mercedes Benz special.  Wish they had oil change special since $325 is tad high even with 8 quarts of Mobile 1 ESP -

 

 

 

Wolf:

 

Spent some time with these folks looking for another MB for my bride. The mistake is no surprise once you get to know them. 

And?

Still waiting on the windscreen and top pics   zzzzzzzz

I guess due to low market pricing and what people want to pay for reworked speedsters, I will keep mine until I die. I cannot see how I would ever get my money out of it, even forgetting my 250 hours labor I have in putting the car together, new brakes, tires, suspension, engine, convertible top, etc. etc.  So, only thing left is to drive the wheels off it, as they say. ---  I could not find the price the person wanted on the black wide body speedster ?  I would never buy a VW engine with the cooler mounted over the intake for the engine cooling fan.  Terrible place for the oil cooler.  Also, cheap brakes if they don't have the emergency system and illegal in most States.  I wonder if he also carries a boat anchor ? 

 

I would not call this one a "driver" by any means.  Perhaps, for show purposes only. My CMC has fiberglass panels around the engine, not metal.  Guys, I think all the Porsche 911's had five speed transmissions. 

 

--George K. ---

Early 911 turbo carrera's did not have 5 speeds. They where all 4 speed transmissions, George please stop telling us how great you and your car are, and use some manners when talking about another persons car. The gentleman has stated he does not know a lot about this car, but he is working on getting the information. 

 

If the finger where pointed at you Im sure you would not like it, and trust me there are plenty of things about your ride that we can pick at

Yea, let me have a large popcorn with butter and some jr mints and a water please.  Hang on, let me get my seat before the show begins...okkkk and go.

Todd, I'm brewing another pot of coffee.

What time does the sun come up in Texas?

Thinking about getting up. It's 4am and I can't sleep.

I feel bad for the guy trying to sell this car. His poor thread.

I wonder if BHMotorcars has already reached out to him and made him their standard blow ball offer?

Best of luck with the sale. It's a sharp looking car with some unique styling.

Ted

According to that post no one sleeps in TX!

https://www.psychologytoday.co...if-you-re-narcissist

 

 

Hey George, Spend a minute and take this test. 

Not really big on the custom hotrod theme applied to the interior, but that's just me, I guess. I don't really see the carson top being very practical, either. Guys, George is right- the back of the shroud is exactly where you don't want to be hanging an extra cooler. The air the cooling fan is taking in should be as cool as possible, not already somewhat pre-heated. This practice was proven to be detrimental to an aircooled engine's health 40 years ago, and is why we go to the trouble of mounting a cooler away from the engine compartment air intake. It doesn't do any good to be pre-heating the carburetor air either. For anyone considering this car that may read this, it's one of the things that needs to be changed if you're looking to make this any kind of "driver".

 

The other issue is the absence of a the parking brake- is that even legal in some states? Think of it- you're really going to get out and set a wheel chock whenever parking on a hill? This isn't some big rig; it's a sports car, for pete's sake! I agree with George. This car needs some things before it's a driver. Al

 

Tab is right. The first Turbo's came with 4 speeds. I'd forgotten about that.

 

YoungSpeedster- sorry, it may be the info you have, but FK7-8+ for the camshaft doesn't tell a would be buyer anything. It could be an FK7 or an FK8, and they're very different cams with very different powerbands. Have you driven the car? At what rpm does the power start to fall off when driven in 3rd gear? I'm sure you think I'm a bit (well, maybe not just a bit) of a pain in the a**, but you're trying to sell a car, and your info needs to be correct. Yoda out (for now, but be back I will!).

 

PS- Guys, do some states actually a car to be on the road without a working mechanical parking brake? I'm surprised I'm even asking this question...(see- not gone very long, I was!!!)

 

 

Young speedster, your chances of selling your car to a regular poster on this forum is almost zero.

They'll give you plenty of advice and tell you what's wrong with your car, but most already own their own speedster and have no intention of buying your car.

That's not to say your posts on here are worthless (sales-wise), as there are always potential buyers (lurkers) who visit this forum, but don't post.

Good luck with your sale.

Tanner, leave George alone.  He is what he is.  If you don't like what he has to say put him on your ignore list.

 

Thanks, Ron. I appreciate your honesty. The car is listed elsewhere and I have a few interested. I appreciate the honesty from everyone here and that's all I wanted from this post. I actually learned a little more about my car through everyone's "support." 

 

Thanks again.

I like the:

 

Frame less windscreen

 

The engine lid grill treatment

 

The low profile cloth covered top.

 

Suggestion, when you show the car, the rod holding the engine lid up, screams cheap.  Someone on here, search, sells a "quick pin" device, that locks the lid open. With a quick release, to lower your lid. It works great and is inexpensive.

 

Good luck,

 

Art

 

 

So you've learned a little more but you failed to share and answers to some of the important questions asked. What have you learned and what happened to the additional pictures requested?

Again, I think it's a good looking car with some unique mods...

George, the price was listed in the last line of the first post.

Also, don't compare your car with anyone else's. We warned you about buying it and you ignored everyone and you got duped!

Text states car is located in Moreno Valley, CA, but must still have out-of-state registration, since CA Vehicle Code Sec. 26450 states all cars must have functioning parking brake to be registered.  That's an item that a motivated seller would address if he was marketing the car in California.  There must be an underlying reason why the wheel/brake set-up doesn't have a parking brake option.

Here's the article on the deck pin....

 

 

https://www.speedsterowners.com...c/cool-deck-lid-idea

 

Since there has not been a Seller's response....

I can't say for sure but the top appears to be a custom " Carson top " that is a street rod style hard shell with Stay Fast cloth glued to it.

The frameless windshield looks to have roadster style posts that were cut off to fit and assume that is where the Carson top is affix to.

Again can't be sure but reasonable guesses.

Alan, I started to type a lazy question, but then googled these.....

 

Carson top is a one-piece, padded, upholstered, removable top. The design was invented by Bob Houser in 1935 when he worked for Amos Carson at Carson Top Shop in Los Angeles, USA. The first carson top was probably made for a Ford Model A convertible and nowadays it is mostly used on hot rods and customs.

 

And.....http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/additional-how-to/86421/

When I was a kid on a bicycle Carson Tops was located in a nondescript one story stucco building on Atlantic Avenue in Lynwood California in the same block but across the street from George Barris Customs. I think this close proximity was intentional...certainly a benefit to both of them.

 

A narrow gravel alleyway, parallel to the Avenue, ran behind Carson Tops from which I could see through a chain linked fence at the activity. The scene of magical transformations of ho-hum Detroit iron.

 

I don't believe the tops were removable. I recall the frames being permanently attached to the auto bodies.

So this top will not fold down, correct?

Bill that's my assumption. The description says aluminum, so it probably can be handled by 2 people.

 

My MB SL,  has a removable top, but with my back it's tough for the two of us to install/remove.  I put a cheap electric winch in the garage rafters, works great.

I have seen street rods with the removable Carson Top, no it doesn't fold and store.

Yup -  Carson's don't fold.  One piece of Fiberglass with cloth inner and outer layers.

 

Got a couple of deuce Roadsters here in town with winter Carson tops on 'em.  That's what I used to get the height of my Speedster top to look right - made it look like a Carson!

I've got a suggestion for Theron, and for the rest of us:

 

How about letting guys who are trying to sell something just try to sell it? How about we stop picking at every little detail we think may or may not be wrong with whatever it is? How about we stop with the incessant quiz-show thing on a guy's engine particulars, his choice in steering wheels, or the color of his car?

 

How about we never, ever tell somebody their price is out of line again?

 

How about making "for sale" posts something that cannot be added to, except for the original poster?

 

There is never a single thing gained by the constant tearing down of some guys "for sale" post. Not one single thing.