Am I crazy????

Help! Maybe I'm crazy. I need to know if my idea is crazy or not. I certainly have been bitten by this 356 replica bug

This is the look I'm going for if I do it:

Tom, if it doesn't effect the family in any way.. Do what pleases YOU... BUT and that's a BIG but! The one true way of telling you what is a good direction is this...

Imagine that your decision is printed in the headlines of your local paper the next day... If you are proud about what it says then do it, if you are not proud..... well then you have just made your choice!

Good luck on your soul search!

P.S. That is a SWEET ride...

Speedster "D'

Tom, some on this site have compared driving a Speedster to driving a four-wheeled motorcycle. Let's face it, these cars are small and light, not much of a match for an urban assault vehicle should you wind up tangling with one in an accident. Also, none of the modern safety features are built into these cars, save seat belts. The air bags, crumple zones, Federal crash testing program and so forth just aren't there.

Then there is the issue of cosmetics. Do you really want to expose your "baby" to the salt and slush it would be bombarded with in a daily commute in your part of the country over the winter season? Most of the folks who drive these cars look forward to showing them off with pride at car events; how would rust and salt pits look to the critical eye?

You also have to consider creature comforts, like heat for instance. You would probably need an after market gas-fired heater to stay cozy warm and defrosted in the dead of winter.

As far as "doing what pleases you" goes, consider the loss in its totality if you were to lose your life in a rush hour pileup.
just my 2 krona
Hoss
(happily retired in the South and FUN driver owner)

Crazy, yes but you are in good company. You only live once, no regrets.
If you choose not to maybe a taurus?

Tom -

You already have a nice little Speedster for those top-down rides on nice days of weather, so why get another fairly similar ride in a coupe with all the drawbacks Hoss (Johnny 2 Bolts) mentioned.

IMHO - since you're familiar with the Audi and turning in your A6 - why not get the Audi RS-4 (hot rod version of A4). You'll get a really sporty car (smaller than A6) with modern technology and more creature comforts! You'll have the best of both worlds - an Audi rocket for daily commute and a nice Speedster for wind-in-your-face cruises!

Peace - Out!

For the love of wheels, man!
If you do go for the green coupe, I'll very happily take it off your hands when you get tired of it.
Like that would ever happen, but still ... I'm not going anywhere.

Cory,

Thanks man, I knew I could count on you! You may get a call one day!

I DO love that green.

I thinking worst case senerio if it just doesn't work for me, I could sell either the Coupe or the Beck and still not take anywhere near the hit I would take if I changed my mind after buying a brand new "Taurus".

Not usually much rush hour in my 8 mile commute to worry about.

Thanks Hoss & others for pointing out the other side. Keep the opinions coming. I really appreciate your input.

I hope more folks will weigh in.

Tom,
If you pass on the Coupe buy your new car at Young Dodge Mazda Volkswagen, ask for Rich Young Sr. and tell him Mickahara said hello!As a matter of fact I think Rich actually has an original Coupe, he calls it "Helmut".

P.S. Screw Rich - Buy the Coupe!

Tom...John brought up some very good points, I would not drive my Speedie everyday to work. There are too many nuts out there driving the roads these days, and these little cars aren't all that safe. I think that your wife wants you around a while longer ..lol ~Esther

Hey Esther, how do you know Tom's wife even gives a $hit.....
When he's gone she gets it all......
Oh, and by the way, Tom, yes, you are crazy....

Keep up with your final cost I was also considering selling my super beetle for one . My speedster d just handles SOOOO much better. I would luv a coupe. I rarly have paasangers. and the speedster is usaly my get the heck away form everyone car.

I added 2 pipe bars inside my doors it was a tough fit but A coupe should have enough room to add reinforcements to help it some.

But the one upgrade I have seen lately I liked best was on a airforce test pilots black bug in Hot Vw I could see the improvements a front end section like that added to something like Hooptie could reinforce a speedster or a coupe replica a bunch.

Its the David Walker car.in the December issue. I would move the fuel cell for a daily driver. it right on the nose.

But I see real potencial to build a much stronger frame that can take a serious hit.

my 2 cents
can you afford it
then buy the FOCKEN car
life is to short to wish I would have done that
I too am thinking about having John building me one.
I'm 15 miles from him and will be there tomorrow. ll get pics of his shop if u like

Um, uh, Tom, are you sure we're the folks who can tell you if you're crazy. Look at what we have to go by - ourselves. BUY THE COUPE! Whew! I feel all better now.

Oh look. The nice men are bringing me some pills...

Esther - why not drive your speedster every day? Life is too short not to!

That said, I did not drive my speedster to work every day - because it cost $8.00 per day for parking! On the other hand, I DID ride a motorcycle to work nearly every day for over 30 years. Free parking was only part of the incentive. When I arrived at work blue from cold in Jan and Feb, my boss used to ask me why I did this? I asked him how he would like to shoot four holes of golf every morning coming to work and every night going home? He finally got the message.

You know you gotta make time in your life for things you like to do. For those of us on this forum, that includes either driving or wrenching, or dreaming about the next project for our speedsters.

p.s. Retirement is also great for speedsters AND motorcycling. All those back country roads are pretty empty on Monday thru Friday - SNICKER - SNICKER.

David: Yep! Insert big SEG here.

Tom- does your wife care if your dead or alive?


Vince- let's see what Tom's answered is. I would hope his wife would agree with me.



David- Have you ever spend a day in an ER to see what goes on in there?..so driving the Speedie ALL of the times would not be something I would do. I don't think they are very safe cars, if Grant was to hit me from the rear with his truck I would just go right under him...not a pretty sight!!

~Esther

Esther,

You certainly know the answer. Of course she wants me around. But my typical commute is 8 miles. No real rush hour traffic. Just a few twisty fun roads and some folks to wave at. I certainly appreciate the safety issue. I still feel far safer in my speedy than riding a motorcycle.

Once or twice a week I go on a longer run to my company's second location - 40 miles each way with some freeway if I want or back roads if I don't. I have access to one of many company vehicles if weather is real bad. Frankly there are weeks I don't even make that run. Staff outr there is more than capable. For me those rides are sweet vacations from my job while doing my job.

I still haven't made up my mind. I am struggling with having two replicas. Feels a little extravagant, but you only live once and I really don't see many issues I can't deal with here. One for show and oone to go. If there was something new and modern that I was ibn love with I would have an easier time. So far nothing gets me near as excited as that green Coupe.

Then,go ahead and get it!!!!!!

- 8 mile drive (plus twisty roads for second location)
- company car for bad weather
- you live ONLY ONCE
How many excuses do you need?

Tom:

When I was a lot younger, a friend of my brother had a Gorgeous, Steel, Blue, 65 356C Coupe with an engine built by Al Alden. I rode in it many times, but I was too young then to drive it (no license). My brother had an original, early 59 1500N Speedster, one of only a very few imported by Max Hoffman that year (they were phasing out).

I was always impressed that the coupe could out-handle the Speedster, not just in a straight line (it had a bigger engine, but weighed more, too) but it seemed better balanced in the corners, too. Never got the thoughts of riding in that car out of my mind.

Think about this.......you could get an A4, and it could even look and go and handle really well. But.......

If you got a 356 coupe with a stout 2110 or so in it, with 19mm anti-sway bars front and rear and Bilstein shocks, Stock VW gearing with a 3:88 Super-Diff IRS rear, a gas heater (more for defrost than anything else), 6 - 7 inch wheels dished in slightly to fit under the fenders, and the usual interior goodies, it would MORE than keep up with anything less than a turbo'd Audi, would handle as well (probably better) and would make your heart thump whenever you walk out of the building to take it for a ride. Shoot! It would handle so well it might probably save you from some of those supposed SUV's!!

Hell.....it would be fun just looking at it!

Would an Audi or a Tundra do that? (I don't think so!!!)

BUY THE COUPE!

Gordon
One of the "Speedstah Guys" from Beaufort

If you're crazy, I'm crazy. This all I have for the daily
commute and I'm quite happy. I don't need power windows or
rain sensing wipers or any of that other stuff. My wife has
a 2006 A-4 and it is nice- but I would take the 356. You would
lose less (maybe none?)money when you're ready to sell also.

Well your only other option is to buy a real one. like a 64 c

Esther, it's as safe as you build it to be ...

In 30 years of motorcycle commuting, I've hit the road three times. Doesn't even matter whose fault it was, the rider still gets whacked. The only parts of me that ever got hurt were those parts NOT covered by leather (my choise, I drew the line at wearing leather pants to a downtown office).

I always kept saying that "Dirty Harry" line from the movie - "a man's got to know his limitations". A lot of safety is in your head. If you really LIKE driving, and you pay atention, and you have some evasive capability - enjoy the ride.

If you are talking about 356s, you are crazy by definition -- no debate required. Not sure I can add much to all gone before, but I can tell you this: years ago I owned two coupes, a '56 A and a '61 B, and lived in MD and went to school w/ the A in Pittsburgh. Both bought used, and in the case of the A, abused. All told, I guess I had these cars ten or 15 years total, and included a six week cross country tour in the Fall. You do have to get used to being not entirely warm in the winter, that is for sure. The only reason I do not have the B still is the same reason why I don't have the A: rust! Well, also I guess you can count the wife and two small kids. (PS: the kids loved to be in the back while they could still fit.) Anyway, these coupes were my everyday car, and aside from the heat thing, they were great in the snow. Never regretted having them -- except for that rust thing. So now, fast forward to 2007: my coupes are long since history, and after lots of Japanese and Sweedish steel, I will tell you that I recently sent John Steele a down payment on a Custom Speedster. We can talk more about what that car will be later. For now, I can tell you what you probably already know: that John is busy designing a really very nice coupe concept, with many creature comforts, that very well may include a fuel-fired heater, A/C, electric heated seats, and whatever else you might want -- AND -- it won't rust!!. I was recently at his shop discussing all about Speedsters, and also talking about his coupe ideas. From what I can gather, I believe John can do this very well indeed. For a guy like you (i.e., 356 crazy) I am betting the JPS coupe, built for you, is going to be just fine.

Thanks to all who put in their 2 cents. I really appreciate it. You can stick a fork in me cause I am done! The check to John Steele went out today for the Green Coupe. My procrastination has likely put the build completion beyond Carlisle which was my original target date. But I will be there with my Beck Speedy to put some faces with the posts I have been reading for the past year or two. This site is a tremendous value. Thanks everyone!!! Gotta go now - the guys with the white coats are at the door with my new jacket.

WOO HOOO!

Cool! I came in too late but I was going to say GO FOR IT!! Given your circumstances it'll be perfect for you!

Fair play Tom. I used to ride a motorbike into work all weathers in the UK, and it's a much more difficult proposition than a 356.

Any car is much safer than a bike, and there are plenty of people around the world who commute by bike every day. You could always offset the extra risk by investing in some driver training?

Tom,

Owning a Beck speedster must a big WOW to begin with, Have you thought about a custom fiberglass top? Mr. Hines could probably help you. If you are going to go British Green, it should be done with a Triumph TR3 or a MGA. The top might save you some cash and you wouldn't confuse the driving and handling style of 2 separate types of 356. After all you will always have the Beck Speedster, although it would be nice to have a JPS, aVintage, a IM, and a Thunder' all in one garage..........daily driver ? Try a PT Cruiser

I believe valspar made the tops for Speedsters at one time

just 2 cents--tim

Buy the coupe. Drive it every day you can. When you really really don't want to risk its pretty hide, buy yourself a $600 ugly-but-runs-and-has-a-good-heater car. Salt, snow and sand won't matter on that. Consider the ugly car disposble, like ugly but practical shoes that are worn out and discarded without emotion.

angela

Angela - is it REALLY possible that you could throw out a pair of shoes WITHOUT emotion? Call it a hunch, but I don't think so! My reference would be my wife, and probably Vince's wife and Esther as well!

Yes, old tennis shoes. They start out as gym/running shoes. Then they become car working on shoes. They they become lawn-mowing shoes. I throw them away with impunity.

However, the 4" purple suede pumps that I just got well that's another story entirely. Those will receive an honarary burial or maybe a viking style funeral pyre! Gnashing of teeth and rendering of clothing will ensue...

angela

Hurray!
Just spoke with John Steele & the Green Coupe will likely grace the field at Carlisle after all. Seems my analysis paralysis had no impact on the build time line. I think he had a pretty good idea what I was going to do all along. I may need an extra driver to ferry my Speedster home (2 hours away). Any volunteers? Actually I'm sure I can round someone up. Thanks again all for your imput. It was over 50 degrees and sunny today. Maybe spring is just around the bend.

Angela, bring those Purple Suede Pumps to Paso and we will give them the proper send off....
Did you ever see the scene with Selma Hyack in "from dusk till dawn..
it was killer........

Tom, congrats, man! And great news about the car being done in time for the show! Do those of us in the region get a sneak peek?

Vince, I think Jim's probably got Angela's pumps. Call it a hunch. ...

Tom,
I live down the street from you. I'm in Phoenixville. If you need a hand... holler!

Greg B

Congrats on the car Tom. Now go out and buy a little extra life insurance.....to take care of the family that had a crazy husband/father who passed on a modern car with all the safety features.

Hopefully, you'll never use the life insurance. You will be styling in the new coupe.

Tom,

The coupe will be a super addition to the field at Carlisle. Alot of us will be VERY anxious to see it. Come early and stay late, have a great time.

ECB

Yup. Get the insurance, come early, stay late, have a great time ... and leave the keys in my capable hands.
I'll leave the Hoopty as an exchange hostage.