body comparison

My guess is its made from old StreetBeasts or CMC molds.  Unless you are doing a custom tube chassis I think you be better off ($$$ wise) finding an unfinished FF/CMC or one need total refurb.  All those little parts add up quickly - windshield posts $90, door handles $100, door hinges $80, windshield $350, headlights $120, ...

You sound pretty motivated to do the work yourself.  A compromise might be to get a body kit from Special Edition. It would still give you a project, but the final result would be higher quality and it won't take you quite as long or require as many special tools (like paint booth).  You add your own powertrain, etc.  Something to consider.

http://www.beckspeedster.com/w...adeluxebodypack.html 

Intermeccanica will also do this. I bought a roller in 2005, and made it my own.

Have you looked at one of the build manuals in the Reference/Library here (available to donating members but also on the WWW).  Near all Speedster replicas require the VW pan be shortened about 11.5".  Once that's done mounting to the CMC/FF massive subframe (bonded to the fiberglass body) is easy. (There is a 4 seater full VW pan based replica in the UK but it looks strange).

I've seen used/abused CMC/FF replicas go for around $2k - another $14k and you'd have a streetable vehicle.

So much better to buy and drive! Wasted time in the garage is less time on the road! After all, it's about the driving experience... 

Some of us like to play in the garage too. It heightens the on-the-road experience.

I'll not be on the road for at least 6 months a year. Garage time is time not wasted on the internet.

"Garage time is time not wasted on the internet" Ouch, that hit home.  I need to adopt that motto.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4169979339.html

Like flared CMCs?  Seems pricey for what it is to me, but what do I know.