Beck Speedster

Nice car but you might not be happy with the 1.6 for long.

just not enough power? what would be better?

 

1915 minimum.   I have a CB, but mine is stroked to 2054 for more torque.  I wouldn't have anything else.

Actually, starting at an 1835 non-stroker will give you a tad (just a tad) more "oomph" than an original 356 "Super 90" (which actually put out something like 85 hp, but who's counting?)

 

Next step up would be a 1915 at around 100-ish hp.

 

Next step would be a 2,110 stroker with a hotter cam and now you've got something that keeps up with stock V8's and eats stock Miatas for breakfast.

 

Next step would be North of 2,500  (2332 and larger) with all of the goodies where you can cruise looking for 'Vettes to kill.

 

All of these cost money.  Add about $1,500 bucks for each step on top of the $3K for a base, 1,600 engine.

 

On the other hand.........MUSBJIM on here has been cruising SoCal for over a decade in his stock, 1,600-ish (I think he has larger cylinders and is now at 1,735cc's) with acceptable (for him) performance and it seems to go and go and go without any issues.

 

If you like the car, try it out.  If, over time, you want something with more "oomph" then opt for a bigger engine or trade for a different car.  Engines swaps on these can be done in an afternoon.

I agree with all the engine comments.  Otherwise it's a gorgeous car and you can't go wrong with the customer support from the Hines family.

According to my friends who own Beck's, it's hard to go wrong with one of their cars. From what I have seen and heard I know them to be excellent cars. I think Gordon's observations are spot on.

 

If you intend to drive in a "spirited" manner a good deal of the time, perhaps an engine swap could be arranged as part of the deal. However, an increase in power may mean some other upgrades, disc brakes if not already on the car (at least on the front) and perhaps a look at the transmission.

 

I would follow Carey's lead once the topic was broached. He is an honest and thoughtful guy. 

 

Go drive the car and maybe others with more Torque/HP and factor that experience into your decision making.

 

If the car is cosmetically and stylistically what you want then the question becomes drive train.

 

Good luck. 

Gunther, another thought is that you could have Carey swap out the engine for you.  It's currently in the right place to do this.  You would probably have to wait a few weeks for a new engine to be delivered, but might be the way to go.  Not sure how long your season is in Sante Fe, but for me in Michigan, it's coming to an end.  If you are going to garage it anyway this winter, now would be the perfect time to change out the engine and then take delivery in the spring.

thanks guys for all the solid suggestions....what do toy all think on the price as listed right now?

 

I think it'll sell for that, probably pretty quickly. It's got everything going for it-- it's really nice, it's unique (and not in a bad way), and it's at Carey's. All the perceived risk is squeezed out of it by Carey's involvement.

 

It'll sell for the asking price, if I'm not mistaken.

help me out, I am drawing a blank, who is Carey?

What Stan said

Carey Hines, VP of Special Edition.

You could always do an engine swap at some later date if you feel it is under powered once you have driven it for awhile, but you might just be satisfied! Price looks pretty good, but that's between you and Carey.

I'm an advocate for this approach. Maybe you'll like the size-tiny engine.

Thanks guys.  We do engine swaps on our used cars all the time.  In fact I am doing one now on an '08 1600cc and changing it to a 120hp 1915cc with a new Rancho Pro-street box for the client.  Keep in mind that, depending on how much power you want, there may be other things to change as well; exhaust, oil cooling, transaxle, etc...

This particular motor was one of the last factory build VW Mexico crate motors, with the top end changed to US tins, an alternator and dual ICT carbs by Pat at CB Performance.  I don't recall the EXACT hp, but it was around 60-70hp IIRC.  It is a great driver, and the favorite motor of many in my shop (these damn crate motors just seem to run forever and rarely need any tinkering).

Dad drove this one to an auction in Indy over the weekend and ran 70-80MPH both ways.  He said it was a treat to drive and was "spot on". 

This was actually my personal car in '08 and about a week or two after I finished it, we displayed it at Carlisle.  I had a guy at Carlisle who HAD TO HAVE IT and wouldn't take "no" for an answer... he drove away with it that Sunday.

The only down-side of doing an engine swap in this car is that I believe Pat is running about 3 months on new engine builds.

Carey:

 

Do the "Mexi-crate" engines have hydraulic lifters?

As I said, you might like the small engine. If you want more later, it's a bit like building the car all over again-- lots of fun thinking about this and that, and watching it all come together.

Gordon: solid

I believe I remember seeing this car at Carlisle.  Veeeery pretty in the flesh.  Is this it?  Wish I had a better picture of it.

 

GuntherM I purchased a new to me Beck May of '12 from Special Edition and can tell you Carey and Kevin are top notch. The price point seems fair compared to where I came in  and they will go through the car with a fine tooth comb. The only issue I had was a frayed clutch cable last summer and they shipped one out in 24 hrs. If you would like to PM feel fee and I can give you my experience. I was fortunate that my car has a Raby 1915 and has plenty of HP (for now). You can always swap it our after a year of driving, plus you can see what else you would like to add or change after experiencing the madness first hand.

What Joe said.  It's not like you're not going to change stuff once the madness has you.  I ordered my car as a winter build in the fall of 2009.  I did the best job I could specing it out based on the normal options from S.E.  Then I turned to this forum for their input & made a bunch more changes.  This winter will be Natalie's 5th winter & I have a further list of upgrades. When I say I'm done, my family just laughs at me.  They don't call it the madness for nothing!  With that being said, it's the most fun you can have with your pants on & there's nothing else I would rather drive when the sun is shining.  When the sun isn't shining, I'm not that particular.

What Joe said.  It's not like you're not going to change stuff once the madness has you.  I ordered my car as a winter build in the fall of 2009.  I did the best job I could specing it out based on the normal options from S.E.  Then I turned to this forum for their input & made a bunch more changes.  This winter will be Natalie's 5th winter & I have a further list of upgrades. When I say I'm done, my family just laughs at me.  They don't call it the madness for nothing!  With that being said, it's the most fun you can have with your pants on & there's nothing else I would rather drive when the sun is shining.  When the sun isn't shining, I'm not that particular.

OMG!  I was able to go out to the Beck facility last July and met Carey and Kevin.  Super guys and they treated me and other family members who met me there to a full tour and also let me test drive 3 different engined Speedsters they had at the time.

 

I/we loved it, we had a ton of fun. Though Carey and Kevin had plans to go boating on the Saturday I showed up they took the time to answer all my newbie questions and worked with me on the sale of the 1915CC Speedster I wanted.

 

The hardest part for me was waiting for it to be delivered.  I'm still breaking in the new motor and could not be happier!  It's been running great and is so much fun.  I've been driving it almost everyday since I got. 

 

Carey and Kevin both continue to answer all my questions as well as other SOC members who have also helped me. (Thank you Syl & Maggie!)

 

I love my Beck Speedster and only wish I had enough $ to buy another or a Beck 550

 

Pete

I did not buy my beck from Cary and Kevin but drove to the Beck facility to have them square it away for the long drive to Texas. I bought my car in Indianapolis in the snow drove two hundred miles  furthur north to go to special Edition It was well worth freezing my but off to let them go over the car. They treated me as if I had always been a  custermer. Made it home no problems  They have it happening in Breman

 

If you own a Beck, consider Bremen as a must do pilgrimage.