Just bought myself a super wide body VS. I love the outlaw look of the wide body’s.
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That’s a good looking car, put that set of polished wheels on there and you Have it all
@Water Sommelier- Do you know how wide the back tires are?
It's interesting, but I have never seen a VS "Super Wide Body" here in New England. There has been the odd one now and then at Carlisle, probably all built by Alan, and that's about it. And while I own a CMC flared, I have never been taken with the look of the VS Wide or Super-wide. They always seem just a little too flat and wide across the back, like a "Mini-Me" to a Cobra, as opposed to more of a flowing line off the top of the body on a CMC. But that's just me. An old ex-member on here had a VS Super that sold at a Mecum auction for way more than I ever expected so that's what I know, right?
My brother and I added flares to his BMW 2002 back in the 1970's and he ran mini-lites and larger tires all around. I think they were 4" flares, IIRC, to fit over 7" wide rims. We tried the look of a 6" flare and they were just too much for the boxy look of the car side - it had that "Flying Nun Hat" look!
Anyway, as Alan said, having the flared-fendered version frees you, somewhat, from the compulsion to make everything "look like an original 356" and allows for more customization to "your" look. That, in itself, can be a lot of fun.
A Blast from the Past, my car in 1999, still being built and obviously getting ready for the interior:
The flares don't jump out at you unless you park next to a classic, slab-sided car. I used to run 7" wide rims on the back with 225 X 16 tires and loved them but could never rotate them with the front, so I went to 6" wide all around with 205's which coincided with getting old(er) so I haven't missed the bigger boots (but they were great while I still had 'em!)
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WOLFGANG posted:Guages were optional cost. Beck has nice replica 356 gauges - the speedo is GPS driven so accurate regardless of tire size. About $600 plus a few senders.
You had to do your homework before ordering a kit. There were many options. You could buy the kit pretty much any way you wanted to and they negotiated the price. The basic kit did not have the doors hung and trued. At the time there was a lot of complaining about how difficult that was so I had it done at the plant. Pan bolts, bolt kits, wiring, carpet, upholstery, tonneau, bumper guards were not included in the basic kit. Assembly was straight forward not requiring much in the way of manuals. It was some help.
While waiting for my kit I completed the modifications of the VW pan. I bolted the body on the day it arrived. All together, it took about a year to complete the project. 356 parts were easy to come by in those days so I put as many original 356 parts on the car as I could. That required keeping the 6 volt generator, lights, instruments, coil. I bought an original 356 steering wheel and horn button for $65. The instruments may have been $150. PB Tweeks in Atlanta had my address credit card on file on file...just send it.
It was built on a 1959 VW 1300.
Take your time. It cannot be built with a bastard file and screwdriver in 40 hours.
Yea have made my decision going to find a kit 550, I have to get this car out to New Mexico where I live 6 mo a year and I just can’t get past the flairs. So that being said I have been on the samba and there are quite a few 550 kits. Can you recommend one of the better kits...
These were the prices back when I bought mine - remember no internet in 1988! Incentive to Fed-Ex check to them on mine was to include wood steering wheel (really plasic), cheap radio, full vinyl tonneau, silver VINTAGE gauges, and all-weather green thin canvas cover. Funny back then the Brazilian chrome wheels could be bought at VW shops for $50 each but $90 each from CMC. The windup window version was an added $895.
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Nathan posted:Yea have made my decision going to find a kit 550, I have to get this car out to New Mexico where I live 6 mo a year and I just can’t get past the flairs. So that being said I have been on the samba and there are quite a few 550 kits. Can you recommend one of the better kits...
I had a Vintage of California which was built to run the 2007 Carrera La Panamericana when I bought it. The car had been through 2 other owners and I had lots of work to do. Spyders are very small. I'm 6'2" and the show was me getting in and out. I loved it but no top so sold it 6 months ago and bought a Speedster. Every time I went out any distance it rained, not a problem you'll have in NM.
I'm putting 500 miles a month on the Speedster. Never enjoyed the Spyder that much.
P.S. I have a friend in Lincoln.
Water Sommelier posted:
Just bought myself a super wide body VS. I love the outlaw look of the wide body’s.
Details! Where from, engine details, interior pics, how much was it? Looks great
ALB posted:Hmmm... I like the other cars better- with the flat edge on the flares on the VS, it looks too "boxey". Just my opinion, though...Al
@Alan Merklin- What size tires were you putting on the backs of these things?
CMC or FF flared ...225 50 15 rear 205 50 15 front
WNGD posted:Water Sommelier posted:
Details! Where from, engine details, interior pics, how much was it? Looks great
I bought it from @Troy Sloan and I am super happy. Troy is an amazing gentlemen and really helped me to choose the right car for me. He was very helpful. I have an 1776 engine in it, amazing sound. I have to say, I am not to savory about all the technical aspects, I pretty much know how I start the car and I finally found out we’re the gas tank is located after I was standing 10 min at the gas station and running around the car ;-)
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WNGD posted:Water Sommelier posted:
Details! Where from, engine details, interior pics, how much was it? Looks great
You must have missed it when I had it for sale on the SOC.
All of the details and pictures are still on my site.
Ahhhhh, I remember it being for sale by you but didn't clue in that this was the same car.
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Wide bodies are a distinct look, and a particular taste. Done right, they can look nice.
Doing a wide-body you can create things a little differently
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Definitely opens up the choice of wheels and tires. You are very limited on a classic body, especially with later wider IRS rear suspension. That cream colored one is pretty!
Did Syl sell his Speedster when he left Falls Church area. Is owner on SOC?
IMHO, building a flared car gives you a lot more "freedom of Expression".
Now, I wish I had 17" wheels like @Jerome Smith had!
I wonder if Alan is going to grab that crate-case in New Jersey?? Kinda like headin' back to the old neighborhood, right?
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Gordon ….NO :~) That higher asking price of $6,500 add in the cost to do a decent build you would easily be in the mid / plus $20's. Now if it were $2,500 it would be of help. With the ever rising ridiculous cost for parts, paint engines etc. a selling price reflects those costs too and to be able get the numbers to make it worthwhile is becoming marginal.
@WOLFGANG Syl and Maggie took Candy ( Project #18) to Colorado when they moved.