Beck Speedsters

I am serioulsy looking at a Beck Speedster and an IM Roadster. I like the fact that both use their own frames and have good engine selections. IM has the Roadster (which I like a lot), but Beck has a Speedster (and it can be available in 2 to 3 months).

IM seems to offer a good alternative with the Roadster, with side windows, better top, etc... Per Johnny2bolts, some of us are are getting closer to geezerdom, and like some creature comforts.

Does anyone know someone with a Beck Speedster? Carey at the Beck operation says that they started making them again in the last 8 months and put out around 4 to 6 per month. Someone out there must have one. Come on, fess up and give us some feedback.

Robert, Intermeccanica also makes a speedster. I believe it takes over six months to get one, though.
Ron

Robert,
Don't get me wrong. I loved my Speedster. It was a comfortable ride, had good ergonomics for my "chassis" and was an absolute joy to drive. The simplicity was part of its charm. My only real beef was that there were too many occasions that I would not take it out for fear of getting caught in the rain which it wasn't very good at keeping out.

The new car I am having built is being built just the way I want it. Algebra was used, so there were some compromises. I look forward to the "creature comforts" in a a car built just for me. And yes there is the geezerdom issue, which will arrive next December officially. I need the heat for these old bones and the long drive to Carlisle will be nicer with top up and heat or air on, which ever is most appropriate.
John H.

I liked my IM "D" very much, and its custom 1 5/8" exhaust with heater boxes and booster fan works very well. Obviously vision is better with the higher windshield and side windows, and the coupe style seats are more comfortable - Karl Macklin owns this car now.

I decided to upgrade power, change gear ratios, suspension components, etc., and try an IM speedster with roll-up windows instead of side curtains. The heat/defrost issue was solved by installing a small ESPAR gas heater, and the Speedster bucket seat comfort issue was addressed with different layers of foam. The all-weather capability will probably be as good as my old "D" but with limited visibility.

In the final anlaysis, get what you want or you'll probably be sorry later.

Robert,

This is starting to be a standard question from me...where are you located? There are three Beck Speedsters registered on this site: Tom Buchanan (West Virginia), Mike Siddon (Calif) and, of course, Carey Hines (Ohio)so you might want to try e-mailing them. Carey and Tom will both be at Carlisle in May and Carey and Mike will both be a Knotts in April. Carey may be able to provide contact info for other Becks and you might want to consider coming to one or both of these events and see/talk first hand.

Bruce:

I live in Alpharetta (Georgia). Carey Hines is the person I have been communicating with at Special Edition, Inc. (Becks operation in Indiana). The two others you mentioned are not close to me. Beck does have a number of their cars out to be sold through some specialty auto dealers. It looks they are being sold.

Beck seems to have a fair price considering the construction and options (special box frame, stong 125 hp 1915cc engine, heater/defroster box, A/C, stereo, leather, spare tire, Nardi steering wheel, cab/ coupe style seats (with adjustable back) and other trim items).

I am still tring to tear myself away from the pictures of the Intermeccanica roadster (I like those side windows). But it runs at least $8,000 to $10,000 more.

I may have to go for one of each. Try the Speedster (which I can get sometime in April) and if I still want the IM roadster, then order it and wait for it into late fall or winter.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.