1956 Replica Speedster Part 2

Click on Registry on the top tabs and it will show the owners closest to you and you can PM them an email to see their cars and make your own mind up. Also, Carlisle in May see about 40 of 'em up close.

[This is a continuation from the thread 1956 Speedster Part 1]

If you have any suggestions, please offer them. Also, I should warn you that I

Mike, thanks. I hadn't noticed the registry. That's another positive step in my ongoing research.

Marshall, have you read this article that is contained right on this page?

http://speedsterowners.com/reviews/newbies.asp

It's a good summary and worthy reading for somebody at what I presume to be at your stage of researching this hobby. And it is a hobby. If it is possible, you should seriously consider visiting the Carlisle show which is not that far off and you will have a chance to see and perhaps drive some examples of what you are looking for. You will have a chance to meet many owners and pick their brains as well as some of the actual makers.

Also, consider buying used first to find out if this is a good fit for you; you won't be out much money if you find out that this is really not for you at all. It's a better choice than shelling out big bucks for the "perfect" car only to find out you really don't like it.

I'm just sayin'
Hoss

Hoss, I did read that but found it rather general. I'm not new to Porsches, just 356 replicas, but from what I understand, they're not that different from the original except by being less problematic.

Marshall,

Well here is my $.02. I'm having Henry at Intermeccanica build my dream a 59 GT Speedster. This is after I spent 5 1/2 years restoring my 60 356 Sunroof Coupe. It was a fun car but not as fun as my new car will be. I'm going all the way with a IM-6 running 235Hp 3.0L power. The E-brake can be correct and Henry is doing it for me. We are also building a special floor mounted heater knob with the 915 five speed shifter so the look will be correct.

As far as the price goes Henry's car will likely be the most expensive but IMHO you get what you pay for. If you want pictures of an example of a dead on replica have Henry send you detailed pictures of Brooks Waltons car. Intermeccanica and Henry's dad built the first replica speedster. While the rest off the companies will build a quality product if money is not an issue then I would recomend Intermeccanica.

BTW last year I was in Belfast and it was about 13 degrees outside. My wife and I stopped into a pub and I had some of the best clam chowder ever. The in-laws live in Thomaston..........;-)

The specs you are looking for sound like they would be right up Intermeccanica's ally, but I'm a bit biased of course. I had Henry build my dream car and took delivery in September of 2008. It is IM's 1959 Convertible D Roadster with an Audi / VW 1.8t water cooled engine and a 5 speed type 915 transmission. I couldn't be happier with the results. My point is that IM is well qualified to do custom variants and I'm sure a visit to Vancouver to speak with Henry would be well worth your time.

Tomm

OK, I have to chime in. I don't have my Beck yet (later this month), but the customer service that I have received from Carey Hines
is the best that I've received on any product at any time either personally or professionally. I'm pretty picky too. If you read my post "Last minute advice on my Beck Turnkey" you will get a feel for the changes I put Carey through and the collective wisdom that was so generously offered by the members on this board (plus you will probably pick up a few build tips). I have no basis of comparison with the other makers, but I'm mighty happy with Special Edition.

Hey Gerd, will you pour me another OBAN, and were out of pretzels,
did you hear about those poor bastards on the other coast and all that snow....HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....
Oh did you know if "money is no object" that IM makes the best speedster? Hey Jimbo, will you pass the PopCorn...

GOING TO COSTCO TO GET THE OBAN AND PRETZELS

SNOW
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT CALIFORNIA IS THAT IF WE WANT TO BE IN SNOW WE DRIVE TO IT

I DONT KNOW HOW IN THE HELL U EAST COAST GUYS LIVE THERE. IF I HAD BEEN CORY, I WOULD ALREADY BE IN CALIFORNIA AFTER SHOVELING THAT SNOW

I was in Disney last week and had to stay an extra day because of the storm. This is what the 911 looked like sunday night when I got back. Thank god the speedster in nice and toasty warm in a garage.
So Cal is lookin pretty F'ing sweet right now. And to bust my $%W#&, we're supposed to get another 12-20 inches wednesday!!!!

Guys,

Oban is OK but I prefer 25 year Mac.....if money is not the object!

That said ever hear of Catto's? It is a Blended Scotch. It was 12 years old in 1945 when the bottle I have's tax stamp was placed on it........only about two fingers left in the fifth.

Very smooth stuff.......

Marshall, maybe it's me, but I don't get it. I'm kind of feeling like Tom Hanks during the meeting in the movie "Big".

You want all this originality, but no badges and you're going for custom paint? It's just a car, and a replica at that. Make it how you want, but damn, don't sweat all the minutiae. No replica is going to match an original 100%. You can get close, but don't obsess about it.

Get one, any one, and drive the wheels off it. That's what this site is about. The detail people are over at 356registry, looking "down" at all of us faux drivers. BUT we have so much fun, and we're not trying to fool anybody.

Welcome, and I truly hope you can attain what you're looking for.

But Danny--dontcha think that he should still insist that all the screw slots go in the same direction?


There ae just some things that should be non-negotiable after all, standards are standards.

Jack-you're silly. Daniel- the guy is throwing his hat into the ring; he knows what HE wants, not what you want for him. The best course is to submit the wish list to all the "makers", compare prices, availability and make decisions then and there.
Marshall if there is something SPECIFIC you need help with then just ask; ie paint...you can click my name here, which accesses my "profile", and finally click photos. I happened to have previously posted some here and also have a lot of saved (bookmarked favorites) in my personal image files. Good luck and ask a lot of questions-there's a lot of help here in cyber-SOCer-land.
(can't believe that rolled off my tongue....oh God, you're about to meet "Vince"...)

Scott, I understand what Marshall wants, but who is he trying to kid? Himself maybe?

Like I said, I hope he can get what he wants. Hoss said it first, get one and drive it. Then if he really likes it, get out the unlimited checkbook and have one built. Vince, please help me...........

Hey, I am just trying to save the guy time and money, I am such a bad person.

You're not a bad person at all. I see a lot of people with wish lists that appear "un-focused" (sp?)....that said I'd encourage someone to ask more questions, perhaps get back to the drawing board, etc. In the final analysis, if he still wants to stick with his original concept, then so be it (in my opinion)...I say we help him through the process, a win-win.

Deep pockets come to mind, I did a quick mental pricing and it exceedes his quoted figure by about $10k, but isn't that the norm with a quality replica ? We all go overboard :)

Come to Carlisle, really worth the trip, not a bad one from Maine either. It's only three months away.

You can check out 40 Speedsters, a couple of them coupes and roadster-Ds, plus a handful of Spyders(one of the latter mine). All the manufacturers' cars are there, owned by real people. Talk to the people that own them, make life-long friends, enjoy some grub and grog. Ride in them, look in, under, and over, and even go for some drives. It doesn't get much better than that.

Plus, you can meet the Hines at Special Edition and Henry from IM.

Marshall, I built my car, but if I were to buy one turnkey I would defietly check out BECK and VINTAGE. Both are top notch builders
and #A1 people to work with.

Is this the correct Carlisle link?...
http://www.carsatcarlisle.com/ce/events/import/

Scott---yep--that's it. Click on imports and kit cars. This is a great event with nice dinners, gatherings and time at the show field.
And don't forget the egg sammiches!

Many Speedsters on display there plus some builders showing their cars. Lane Anderson's car was actually built at Carlisle during the show about 4 years ago. Last year I learned the "fix" for water on the floors of a Vintage and many ideas are shared. Plus the chance to meet in person with some of the "madness" contingent. Personally for me, that's the best part.

Anyone considering a Speedster replica should start their search at Carlisle to see what appeals to them.

Carlisle is a highlight of my year and I wouldn't miss it.

Thank you everyone for your replies. Here are a few clarifications. I do not want an original car again. I rebuilt my Super motor twice. First it spun a bearing, then it snapped a valve stem, and over all the car was too slow. Besides I get shivers thinking about rusty pans hidden under globs of undercoating. What intrigues me about a replica is that everything is new and that I can custom design it. I have no interest in my car being historically accurate, but having spend my first twenty-two years in 356s, I know what I like aesthetically. But it's driving the car that appeals to me. I drove my 356 across the country a number of times during the 70s. I want to feel that joy again. A few more questions if I may.

How noisy is a Speedster over the course of a long trip? How about in hard rain? Since I've only been in coupes I have no reference.

How much attention do 356s attract these days? During my father's era the car was laughed at and generally disliked. When my dad sold his mint 1962 B coupe, he basically gave it away. He traded his 1952 coupe for a VW bug because the timing gear stripped off the camshaft and he learned that the cam was a handmade one of a kind. The car had been specially built for him by Porsche to race. Anyway, these days I have no idea what kind of attention the car would get. Vandalism? Theft? I can't recall ever seeing a 356 in Maine over the last twenty years.

Is 100bhp enough for straight forward driving? I have no need to go fast anymore, but I want the car to have enough power to pass comfortably, etc. Recommendations please. My thought at the moment is a 100bhp CB engine.

Front disks a must? Rear drums? Front end thoughts?

Transmission? Is a four speed ample for the engine?

Thanks so much for any pointers. It's been a long time since I've been in a 356.

I have a friend going to Carlisle for me if I can't attend. He knows more about cars than anyone I've ever met.

How noisy is a Speedster over the course of a long trip?

All of the mufflers available are quite loud - 2X+ the originals. I just wear ear plugs (I have a Berg system) plus there's a lot of wind noise, top up or down.

How about in hard rain? They tend to leak unless you have an IM or (even better) an SAS. But then, original Speedsters were related to sieves, too.

Since I've only been in coupes I have no reference. Original coupes leaked a bit, too!

How much attention do 356s attract these days? LOTS! because they are so scarce these days.

Vandalism? Theft? Haven't heard much in the past 10 years - they stand out a lot and would be hard to resell

I can't recall ever seeing a 356 in Maine over the last twenty years. There are a few. Fill your zip code in on the profile on this site and then check the registry - it will list everyone by distance from your zip. John(?) Wiley is in Bangor. There are also some originals as members of www.TYP356ne.org

Is 100bhp enough for straight forward driving? I have no need to go fast anymore, but I want the car to have enough power to pass comfortably, etc. Recommendations please.
Get a 2,110 with dual Webers or Dellortos - Easily keep with most anything.

My thought at the moment is a 100bhp CB engine.

Front disks a must? YES Rear drums? YES

Front end thoughts? Stock with top and bottom height adjusters (avis style). Stock VW soft shocks (a replica is quite light) and a 3/8"-1/2" anti-roll bar.

Transmission? Is a four speed ample for the engine? Yes - Stock gearing gives a 1'st that's a tad low and a .89 overdrive 4'th. A 3:88 so-called, "freeway flyer" is OK for a 2,110 or larger, just make sure you have the engine set up for free-flow external oil cooling and run a fan-assisted oil cooler with thermostat switch.

Gordon
The Speedstah Guy from Beaufort

Gordon, thanks so much for the responses. I know from the registry that there are three 356 owners, yet I've not spotted their cars on the road. And I think a 356 stands out more to my eyes than any other shape of car.

And...Carlisle...

Marshall, I bought a terrible example of a Speedster replica, drove it into the ground ... and rebuilt it into exactly what I wanted. Except for a couple minor pieces, like maybe a headlight and the pedal cluster, it's a completely different car.
I did it like Sinatra, my way, and getting there was a bit more painful than it would have been to have bought a specified car from a vendor.
Nonetheless, the off-the-wall bits are hidden under a (mostly) normal CMC Speedster body. It's just one example that you can do these things however you want.
I'm glad you or your car-guy friend will be at Carlisle to help you form a proper opinion before diving in with a complex list of options for a builder to complete. You might discover that the fit and finish of a high-end car with lots of goodies is outweighed by the simplest car there. Mine's not much to look at, but there will be cars there that are breathtakingly beautiful.
Look up "The Hoopty" when you get there. If you want to go for a short spin, I'll provide a helmet.

I see a slight resemblence between Cory and Gerd's son...
Hmmmm....I wonder what was going on there...

That most likely happened back in the days when Cory was still wearing a skirt...and trying to prove his manhood

You shoud do a search here and the internet for the Envemo super 90. This was an early '80 Brazilian company that produced bot cabriolets and coupes that were dead on ringers to the 356C but fiberglass. They used many OEM trim parts. Cary Hines at Beck actually bought one a couple years ago. They are rare but often one needing refurbishing goes for $20K.

http://www.bobsclassics.com/sold/60p.htm

Marshall, the Carlisle advice is the best you could get. At least two of the manufacturers will be there (IM and Beck), and cars from every possible company will be in attendance. I will happily let you have some stick time in mine for comparison's sake. Others probably will as well. Besides, it's a hell of a lot of fun.

I'm understanding that Carlisle is a must. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I better know what I'm getting. Does anyone else have a comment on the attention these cars attract?

"Does anyone else have a comment on the attention these cars attract?"

Dude seriously does it matter what other people think? If you own a Speedster you own it and drive it because you DON'T care about the attention it attracts. Am I off here?

Marshall...Picture Pamela Anderson running naked down the center of your town...how many people do you think would be looking.....
I think you get the idea...

Mike,
You're right on.
But there are those who are trying to make up for what they lack...

Hey Nuckels, are you trying to tell me "El Diablo" is nothing more than an extention of my penis? I guess I'll go find a girl driving a Bentley and nail her...
I do have my standards after all....

"Does anyone else have a comment on the attention these cars attract?"

It's pretty much impossible to drive anywhere without a thumbs-up or comment from somebody. Not necessary to enjoy the car, but kinda fun.

That's what I'm worried about. It's the one factor that concerns me about buying the car.

It's not that big of a deal. After a few years, most people in town don't look twice. They know you, if you drive with any regularity.

Kids absolutely love my Spyder, even if they've seen it before. Lots of thumbs up. An occasional challenge by a ricer or even a V8 classic or modern. Sometimes I spank 'em, sometimes ignore them, depends on the mood.

Talking to people when you go out to dinner or the gas station is a must. All sorts of questions. I am always polite, unless some clown is a butthole. Then I just say, "Is that your minvan over there?" Most people are really cool and genuinely interested.

I wouldn't worry too much about problems in Maine. People are pretty laid back up there, aren't they?