We are moving along and really trying to get the details right. Fortunate to be getting some great advice from Lee Raskin who is the world's foremost authority on the Dean Speedster #80126.
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I may be wrong (it's happened before) but that sure looks like a shine-up license plate light mounted in a shine-down location, but still pointing up.
Lane,
This is what was used which is the proper spec for an early shine down car.
Patric
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True, but it looks like the lights are pointed up, which when coupled to the angle indicates the they used a shine-up in the wrong spot. The picture in your other thread also appears to show two lights pointing up, which is incorrect. As I said, I could be wrong.
There are no lights pointing up. See pic attached. This is the light on the car. The light are pointing down.
Also, before anyone mentions it, this is supposed to be a 1500 Super badge and will be swapped out as soon as we get the 1500 one in. That was what was on the actual Dean car.
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The license light sure looks like it's pointing up and if so, the guy with his head in the engine bay can do his make up with it.
Maybe I am missing something, but how is this light shining up?
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From the close up I can see that it is shining down as it should, but it is shaped differently that any other I've seen. Notice on this one (https://sierramadrecollection....6A-50-57-p18761.html) the flat side is on the bottom with the lights. That's what threw me.
I will put them side by side so you can see it better. There are no lenses on the top of this light fixture.
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I will double check part numbers, but I am pretty sure we have the correct light installed and the lenses are pointed down.
Flipping the gasket round would make it a little more horizontal..
May I ask, because I'm interested, but what was so different about JD's Speedster? Wasn't it just a standard configuration in white with black interior, bumperettes, and a 1500 Super? Or is it just the fact that he owned it and you're making your reproduction in the same configuration? How will you recreate the dent on the driver's side behind the door? Just kidding of course on the dent.
You may have some difficulties driving the car without mirrors since those are legally required now, but you would probably get away with it for a while. And it's just a fix-it ticket anyway.
Robert,
There was nothing particularly special about James Dean's Speedster. As you mentioned, it was a pretty standard car with the exception of being one of the first to have the Super motor.
The main interest is that everyone associates Dean with the 550 as that is the car that he dies in. The fact is that he spent much more time in this Speedster that he custom ordered and raced it also. He never got a chance to race the 550.
My interest was in making a car that tries to stay true to the spirit of that Dean Speedster although we cannot get every detail correct. Then, we will be dong a cross country drive on Rt 66 when possible and stopping at the Dean family farm in Indiana. You can learn a lot more about the overall project and the initial idea at the website below.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Patric
Maybe I missed this in a thread, but what motor is going in it? As you want to get all details right, at the end of the day it is still a VS. Hope you opt for a nice stroker motor. Nothing like having good power.
BADSPD...A nicely tunes 1915cc with Webers. Nothing over the top, but it will be a really nicely done fully balanced motor. We do plan on some cosmetic things to make it appear more like a Porsche motor that a standard VW 1915cc.
Looks great!!
Robert, nicely done. Looks great.
Remember the last guy who posted about his trip from the west coast to the east coast, partly on Rte 66? The artist guy who was going to come to Carisle and beat the daylights out of all of us.
I hope there isn't a curse.
Yep, @Panhandle Bob, I do. He had a website, too. And a deadline. And a film crew!
@Panhandle Bob posted:Remember the last guy who posted about his trip from the west coast to the east coast, partly on Rte 66? The artist guy who was going to come to Carisle and beat the daylights out of all of us.
I hope there isn't a curse.
@JMM (Michael) posted:Yep, @Panhandle Bob, I do. He had a website, too. And a deadline. And a film crew!
Didn't his car start self-destructing about 100 miles after he picked it up? Or am I thinking about someone else?
I am not aware of that story. Fill me in. What happened? Who built the car?
@Speedster Dreams posted:I am not aware of that story. Fill me in. What happened? Who built the car?
I don't remember the details. I think there's a thread on the other Spyder forum.
Do a search. There was a lot of disbelief about that guy’s story, and none of us look forward to a repeat of it.
What did the guy do? I have searched "cross country" and such and did not see anything. Now you guys have me intrigued.
@Speedster Dreams posted:I am not aware of that story. Fill me in. What happened? Who built the car?
He commissioned an IM to honor his dad who had an early convertible D IIRC. He didn't like the paint, he said the alignment was off and wore out the tires after a couple days of driving, couldn't synch the carbs, threw a rod, and etc etc.
Asked how we liked his choices and if you didn't agree with him he'd berate you. Was argumentative at every opportunity, chastised us for asking questions, spent a frunk load of money to chronicle his trip with a film crew, and on and on.
Got himself banned from this site for his generally rude and uncivil attitude. Was also banned from several other websites for the same behavior. He has several names he uses on different sites. On TheSamba he is Eric Marshall Green, on FB he's Kelly Harris, and I believe I've seen at least one other name. Pretty sure they banned him from TheSamba. He's been more tame on the 356 group on FB but he has his moments. And don't act underwhelmed with anything he says his father accomplished in his life. That'll set him off.
Well, I can say that I am truly approaching this from a humble spot. I want to have the cross country experience with a friend from the Navy from nearly 30 years ago. Just wanting to share here and certainly don't think I know it all in any way.
I have done cross country trips in several actual Porsches, but this is a first in a reproduction car. Should be an adventure. Hopefully one that is a good one.
@Speedster Dreams posted:I am not aware of that story. Fill me in. What happened? Who built the car?
If you must, you can search the forum on Eric Marshall Green, but I don't recommend it other than as a cautionary tale of how not to behave. He's been disked off of every forum he's ever been on as far as I know.
I think the take away on the car falling apart was that he set off on a cross country trip in a car that hadn't been sorted. These are custom built cars, a mix of old and new, and each is different from any other no matter how many have been built just like it. One wouldn't have set off cross country trip right from the dealer in a '58 speedster back in the day, either. There was break-in to do and problems expected during break-in that would need seeing to before a long journey was undertaken. We pay tribute to more than just the look!!!
Also, we plan to do 500 shakedown miles in Phoenix before heading out. Definitely trying to break it in, do the first valve adjustment, etc before we head out.
@dlearl476 posted:Hey Robert, how'd you do you "Bosch Black" coil? I did mine with a black coil from F.A.S.T (who made my FR-700 electronic ignition) and a sticker from eBay.
With a reproduction Bosch sticker I ordered online.
@Speedster Dreams posted:Should be an adventure. Hopefully one that is a good one.
I have a friend who has done tens of thousands of motorcycle miles all over the world. He told me once as I set off from his house in Ft Collins on a cross country trip on my Ducati that a 19th century explorer once described adventure as "Misery recounted at leisure." 
My best advice for a successful adventure?
- Put a thousand miles or so on your car before you leave
- Learn everything you can about your car before you leave
- Carry tools
- Carry spares
- Dont have deadlines
This isn't a car you can have AAA tow to the nearest garage to have repairs done. The more self-reliant you can be the more fun you'll have.
@Speedster Dreams, I for one want to follow along on your journey. I think most of us here would love to do something similar if life’s responsibilities would permit. Your plan for 500 miles of shakedown is a wise one, but from experience I’d suggest you be willing to extend that as needed.
I've done some really long-distance trips in the speedster. It's the best possible way to spend time in your car.
@Stan Galat posted:I've done some really long-distance trips in the speedster. It's the best possible way to spend time in your car.
I planned one for this year but what with my brake fiasco, didn't get around to it. I'm going to try and hit all the National Parks in Utah next summer.
My bike group pedaled all around Zion Nat. Park and then rode the Mickleson Trail from Cedar City up to Deadwood, stopping all along at attractions like the Crazy Horse memorial and Mt. Rushmore, but the scenery made the trip, hands down.
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Owned a 550 for 18 months. It was raced in the Panamericana in 2002 (not by me). Was always fascinated by the number of cars with 130 decals. I just don't get it.
THIS ^^^^^! I've never understood the fascination with the dead actor.
Do you know how many times I've heard "Isn't this the same car JD died in?" when I pump gas? Think about how many times I've pumped 6 or 7 gallons over 15 years and 45K miles into my Spyder.
I do understand the Speedster/Dean thing a little. He certainly owned a Speedster a LOT longer than a Spyder.
However, Baskin-Robbins makes a lot of flavors, so I applaud you chasing your dream, Speedster Dreams. I wish you well on your journey, and I will be looking forward to pictures/videos and updates along the way.
@DannyP posted:THIS ^^^^^! I've never understood the fascination with the dead actor.
Do you know how many times I've heard "Isn't this the same car JD died in?" when I pump gas? Think about how many times I've pumped 6 or 7 gallons over 15 years and 45K miles into my Spyder.
I do understand the Speedster/Dean thing a little. He certainly owned a Speedster a LOT longer than a Spyder.
However, Baskin-Robbins makes a lot of flavors, so I applaud you chasing your dream, Speedster Dreams. I wish you well on your journey, and I will be looking forward to pictures/videos and updates along the way.
Lol. One of my neighbors is adamant that I take my Spyder on an odyssey to Indiana to Dean’s birthplace and memorial. He think I owe to him and my car.
OTOH, I’ll admit I’ve explained my car more than once to people who are unfamiliar as “a replica of the type of car Dean was killed in.” Then the light goes on.