Are Automotive Ledgends Speedsters really Vintage Speedsters??

Well--are they? There seems to be some secrecy deal about this. Am I correct to say that AL cars are Vintage and that AL puts the accessories and extras on Vintage Speedsters?

Reading all the reviews I never see the Manufacturer as Automotive Legends. What's the deal on this? Thanks ---Jack, Hot Springs

It's difficult to say with 100% certainty that ALL Automotive Legends Speedsters are Vintage cars, but every one I've ever seen has been.
The ones they have at auction on Ebay are always Vintage-built cars to which AL has added pricey extras.
The "tell" is the way Vintage does their dash material. There is always an un-upholstered gap at either end of the dash where it meets the door tops. No other manufacturer leaves bare dash gaps like that.
If AL claims to make their own Speedsters, maybe they do. But most of their cars are straight out of Hawaiian Gardens' Vintage workshop.

I thought I read on another thread somewhere that Russ at FiberSteel outfits the VS cars for AL? Maybe having a senior moment though. :>/

I know that Russ outfits the Beck/Chamonix Spyders sold by Automotive Legends but I'm not sure about Speedsters

Every Speedster that I have seen represented by Automotive Legends either in their showroom, or on eBay have been built by `Vintage Speedsters.
My car is a 2007 Wide Body Vintage Speedster, and it is exactly like the ones they list on eBay.
They do mark them up a bit (5k-10k) to cover the rent.

Lester... is the center rear exhaust from Vintage Speedsters?

Yes,
The motor is a 2110 with center exhaust from Vintage.

I have been it there showroom and the cars still had the VS hood handle on it.

Lester, could you do me a favor and send me your paint code?
I'm pretty sure you just figured out my paint color decision.

For the record, I did receive some good service from Wil Cashen and Mike in parts from AL last week. Courteous and helpful.

I heard somewhere that AL cars are made in a factory in Azuza, CA but there's no tel# for AL there.

Another sign that it's a VS is the stiching above and below the door handle.

It's all good! Jack, Hot Springs

Jack,
The Speedsters are made in Hawaiian Gardens, CA by Vintage Speedsters.
Automotive Legends has a small 500 Sq. Ft. storefront in Malibu California.
They are resellers; They don't build anything.
Nice place, Nice people, Big price tags.

The "factory" in Azuza is Russ' shop (fibersteel).

MOST of their speedsters are Vintage, done up by Russ. Some are ours (Beck), and some are Tom's (TR). Same goes for spyders. Some are ours, some are kits from Greg (Vinatge) and others are kits from Tom (TR).

All sold as an Automotive Legends product... a "private label" if you will.

Lester and Carey--- that's the answer---thanks. I just never quite got the picture about all this "who-makes'what" stuff. Very interesting info and it takes the wondering away---thanks for that.

My AL Speedster started life as a VS I now know. I bought it 3 weeks ago with 700 miles on it---it was shipped to Lousiana and I flew down w/ a friend and drove it back home to Hot Springs, AR (Used to live on Topanga Canyon Rd in Woodlanf Hills---small world--right?)

The man I bought mine from paid almost $30,000 counting a $2,000 emblem package --NOT counting shipping. It is a fine car w/radio. 2115 engine, 3.88, and about everything I have seen hung on these cars. Radio, headlight grills, nipple hubcaps, luggage rack, etc. I paid $24K so I feel real good about that. It is a very pretty car. It has 1,050 miles now and I'm lovin'it. Still figuring out some stuff but getting there with the learning curve.

I did call VS for info and gave the vin # but there was no record of it at VS. Said they just didn't keep records of the cars. (Sure not like airplanes!!)

Thanks for the info again---some super nice folks on this site which I found through Vintage's site. ---Jack, Hot Springs

Jack,
If you have the 2115 motor; are you running Solex/Kadron's?
I have a Vintage Speedsters 2110 (Probably the same motor) and I swapped out the Solex's for Weber IDF 40's.
Wow, it made a big difference in performance.
Post some pictures.
Enjoy your car.
Les

A 2110 could use Weber 44 IDF's. I've got those on my 1915, and it doesn't feel "over-carboreted". You might even be able to use 48's.

Heads, cam, and exhaust efficency will dictate carb requirements more than engine displacement. I have a 2109 that runs IDF 48's, I also have a friend that runs IDF 48's on a 1720 (356), and it is certainly not over carb'ed. Be prepared to follow the book and tune carbs to the engine via jets, venturi (chokes), main jets, air tubes, idle jet sizes, etc... I have a 1600cc 356 engine that really likes a pair of Weber 40 mm's....I also have a 2332 that may be under carb'ed with 48's

If you have stock heads and a more or less stock cam, and a restrictive exhaust system, 48's may not be for you. With a bit of head work and a bit of cam I would not be afraid at all of using 48's on your engine....

--I'm impressed--some of you guys really kow your stuff.

First--I don't have a clue as to what is in this engine--there was zero documentation about it---the invoice from AL says 2115cc engine and that's it. I'll pull the air filters off the carbs and see if I can find out what brand they are. As far as heads on it and so forth--I just don't know. It does have some extra cost welded up exhaust --
very deep sound--not at all like a vw sound. It really does have power and at 65 it feels like an overdrive gear would work well.

I can email pics but need to get smarter about posting pics on this site---I will try though.

I am so glad I found this great site--I feel like I should be allowed to post only in the newbie section though!---Jack, Hot Springs

I was contacted a few times about consigning Butch to Automotive Legends. The salesman was itching for inventory and seemed to think I would fawn all over his interest in my car. I think they'll try to sell anything, but mostly just average Vintage replicas.