another speedster virgin

Well i've found my dream car, I hope. I found a Speedster wide body locally for a great price. The problem is I dont have a clue as to who made it. I was told it was a Florida car. It's never been assembled, comes with few parts, but not much of an interior. Before I purchase the car, I need to know who made it, and what pans will work. I found a Karmann pan with ball joints and an IRS. Will this pan work? I beleive this car to be a CMC car, because it has a whale tail deck lid. I know it has a metal tube frame riveted to the body. It needs some it replaced due to rust. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Mac.

Holy Cow!

Those whale tail bodies are as scarce as hen's teeth!

As far as I know, CMC was the only maker who made a whale tail. Honestly, the reason they're so scarce is that they weren't all that popular, but you can convert from whale tail to regular tail just by replacing the engine cover. If you like the look (kind of a 930 or 997 look) they're great, and I've only seen one up close, so it'll be a head-turner.

The body sub-frame came on all CMC's. Otherwise the body was too flimsy and needed the support. The body should fit on any torsion bar front end pan from 1954 to 1974. It will NOT fit on a 1971 - 1978 that had a MacPherson Strut front end. Your Ghia pan should fit, but this should be confirmed on here by someone who has actually done it - I've heard that they're the same as a sedan pan, but never confirmed it.

Things like windshield frames, windshield, exterior trim, interior (including seats, gauges, trim bits and such) are all readily available, but if you buy them new they'll be pricey. That will be off-set by the low price of the "kit". Expect to end up paying around $14K - $16K by the time you're done and on the road. Plenty of engine choices available - just search on here for the good builders and appropriate displacements and such.

Good luck, and welcome to the madness!!

Gordon
The Speedstah Guy from Grafton

Welcome to the madness Charlie. You do understand that the donor pan needs to be shortened right? You don't just bolt the body on to the pan. Lots of work involved, but if you have the skills, it will be a great project.

Charlie-According to "the Samba" web-site, the Ghia pan is 7" wider than the typical beetle pan. This would entail some crafty metal re-configuration. Probably not what you want to get in to. (If so, think about how to jig-and-fixture your work-pieces; you'll half to establish some datum points)
Also see the above "tabs" on this web-site ?...click the "Library" tab (center-right) and you'll possibly get some instructions relative to your project.
There are some other links that indicate different methods for shortening a VW beetle pan; a do-it-yourselfer should really "measure twice and cut once" as the old carpenter's saying goes.
Sources other than here would be "the Samba" and "Shop Talk Forums".
Also, think about registration down the line: you may need the chassis number (VIN) to be "clear" or the DMV (or men-in-black) may raise an eyebrow.
SS

The Ghia floor pan is wider where your feet go - but is easily replaced with bug pan halves. Its probably rusty any how plus you have to cut chunk out to shorten the tunnel on chassis. With Ghia chassis you get front disc brakes which is good. I like the look of the whale tail - guess cuz you don't see them much. YUP, CMC produced near Miami FL til 1992.

Thanks for all the help. It's good to know people willing to help others in this day and age. Your right about the pans needing to be replaced, they're gone. A local VW nut knows a guy locally that shortens pans with a jig, for about $150. He's done alot around here for buggy owners. He just needs to know the length that needs to be removed. I was thinking of keeping the whale tail cover and also getting the original style as well. Maybe switching them out as the mood hits me. My goal either way was to make the car look factory looking even with the whale tail. I suppose to the uninformed it could be considered factory option.
From reading the forums, I know not to expect this car to be "water-proof"... On the net and through the dealer sites i've noticed several different folding top mechanisms. One of which was really good, and several of which looked very poorly engineered. Have the different types made a difference in sealing off the interior? I have learned that vinyl will be the choice of seat covering.
This past weekend I saw a very well done Beck Spyder that was unbelievable. It 's owned by a gentleman named Sam. I heard he organizes several of Texas VW shows to include the VW Classic in Fredericksburg Texas. Thats how I would like my Speedster to be. Well executed and clean. Thanks again for all the help and I look forward to meeting you guys on the road, where ever that may be. Charlie.

The leaks are not usually a result of the top design, but resulting from issues with the side curtains and on some cars leaks around where the body meets the pan. The only top-related issue appears to be along the bow on the windshield. Some cars leak in the center due to insufficient clamping by the latches. There are lots of thread on this site addressing all issues, so I recommend using the search function. Welcome aboard.

Hey Charlie - Welcome To The Madness!!

Hi Charlie,

Welcome to the Madness!
There are several Speedster owners in Houston area, I'm up in Gatesville (Fort Hood). Your welcome to stop by if your in the area.

Jay

Jay, thanks for the invite. I happen to travel to Temple quite often and will be in the area May 11. My wife has to go to the Scott and White complex. Its a great area with nice people. I'd like to check out your speedster and get some info. Here's a pic of my future road champ along with a possible future buggy. The poor buggy may have to be sold for the speedster project. We'll see.

Charlie,

My wife and I work from home so we are usualy here.
Call the business line and let us know when you will be here.
254-248-0663

Jay

Show us some progress