Choosing a Builder

So, how would one choose between a vintage speedster and a jps speedster? Both builders basically seem to be offering the exact same product. Can owners of each offer up their reasons and prefeerences. How do they differentiate themselves and their car from one another?

JPS SPENDS MORE TIME ON THE BODY AND PAINT WORK AND IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN VINTAGE. KIRK HOWEVER MAKES A HI QUALITY CAR AND HIS CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM WHAT I GATHER IS IMPECCABLE.

Read this link for the info you're looking for!

https://www.speedsterowners.com/reviews/newbies.asp

Exactly; JPS is an upscale VS. It'll take a little longer to build too; VS makes approximately 4 cars per week.

So, if one can wait the JPS is the one to go with. But sounds like(from reading the registry)Many,many thrilled customers are enjoying there VS cars and I presume the money saved could go towards some nice upgrades in a VS. But that body work is a pretty important consideration...Hmmmm. Thanks this clears up the picture.And I'll checkthat Link,Jim. Cheers!

Peter, You hit it on the nose. My VS was there deluxe kit. They did all the chassis work and placed the body on the chassis, they installed the wiring kit and "Wala" I did all the rest. I had the car painted my self and ended up with awesome paint work. I installed my own engine from a bug that I had. My investment in the car is not even close to the turnkey prices. I saved alot of dough for many extras.

I am extremely happy with my VS.

Gabriel....I was noticing that your plates are yellow, how did you managed that?? ~Esther

Gabriel, your car looks really nice. I had not seriouly considered trying to build a kit. But now you have got me thinking!

I have a lot of questions about the path to successfully complete a kit. Can you direct me to the best place on this website to learn more of others experiences going the kit route?

If you're interested in the kit route, consider the Beck Deluxe Body Kit (I think that's the name). It comes with the upholstery installed and the body painted. You add powertrain, half shafts, wheels, spindles, brakes, trim bits, and a few odds and ends. We assembled my car from one of these kits in two days at last year's Carlisle show. Beck also has a roller that just needs an engine. Probably won't save much money with that one, though.

Worth thinking about.

Esther,

This car has a original 57 VW donor pan, which I owned for about 16 years. That was the plate on my vw.

Peter,
There are many posts here regarding various builds by speedy nuts like us. Check out the General, Technical/General, and the Engines/Mechanical posts for those threads.

Building a Deluxe Kit is rather simple, everything is predrilled and prewired for you. You just install everything in its place. Also a good way to know your car inside/out.


Gabe

Gabriel--You car looks fantastic. I am very impressed with the quality of the build. Nice work!

HAVE EM BUILD IT 4 U UNLESS YOUR A RELATIVE OF CORY OR ANGELA :)

As the Vintage Web Site suggests, a speedster kit build is very labor intensive, the builder must know electrical and have mechanical skills, a decent size place to do the work, a variety of tools.... it will take months to complete. I have done a good number of these builds, even with my experience it takes me 350-400 man hours to put together a basic speedster. There is a positive side...you the builder owner know where everything is and how to fix it should you encounter problems later on.

I appreciate your help,all. Guess the Cory - Angela reference sort of leaves me wondering...(?).Need to be in the Forum more often.

Gabriel,sounds like you've been an air-cooled/VW fan a long while.

In that respect the Beck roller makes sense. Also, a JPS is not much more expensive than an equivalent VS so if body work is very important to you it makes sense to wait a little longer and pay a little more for the JPS.

Peter, I'm the Cory of the "Cory or Angela" reference.
I'm an idiot; she's a genius.
Angela and her husband Steve have managed to shoehorn a 3.2l flat six into a Spyder. They did a lot of engineering to make that happen, and I'm left with the impression that she's the driver-operator-mechanic for that car. It's beautiful, and probably not soon to be duplicated. They're in Oregon.
Me and a pal decided to re-work a piece of crap. We did a ham-fisted job, and now I'm constantly chasing after little things. I wouldn't have to keep soldering wires and replacing cylinders if I had just bought a sorted car in the first place.
My car will be at Carlisle, if you're interested in seeing what not to do. It's silver and orange. I'll be the guy with "kick me" taped to my back.

Don't listen to him. The Hoopty is spectacular. All it lacks is a nice coat of paint.

Peter,

What Alan says is correct, execpt I assembled mine in about 2 1/2 months, working about only 2-4 hrs on the weekdays and about 4-6 hrs on the weekends, but not all weekends. The electrical was again prewired and Kirk at Vintage gives you the schematic for hooking up the wires correctly. The machanical, heck its only a VW, how much do you really need to know. It's fairly simple car to work on and I did it all in my garage at home. The trim, headlights, window, top, etc. have all been predrilled and as a matter of fact VS, installed the windshield, doors, hood and engine trunk lid on their deluxe kit. Interior, I installed.
I definately no this car in and out.

I am not a professional mechanic either.

Here are a bunch of guys that think I need some major work on my Speedy.


Gabriel

PETER
RUNNNNNNNNNNNNNN TO JPS

I've yet to have the opportunity to build a preassembled speedster.
What I do get to work with is usually just a shell, light assemblies that are drywall screwed into the fiberglass buckets, the proverbial broken windshield....(Seller: "It's only got a small crack".) A few formally wet cartons filled with a worthless collection of rusted aftermarket VW parts that I happen to drag home from the seller sort and transfer most of this treasure directly into the Rubber-Maid cans.
Of course, I do get to spend quality time with the seller, as we dig to locate the gem in the rough speedster that is been entombed in his garage under 100 lbs of lawn furniture amongst Christmas lights and Rudolf the frigg'in red nosed reindeer.....I look over at Santa standing off to one side ever so proud as he silently mutters to me " Ho Ho Ho.....the sh*t box is finally on it's way out of here"

My money is at JPS. My car is in build there and I am counting down the days until it's delivered. Trouble is I don't know what day number to start at, so delivery is an uncertain moment. I console myself by knowing that the car will be fabulous, and worth the wait. I am sure IM and VS make nice machines. I chose JPS.

And just let Cory run on about all his troubles, and try not to listen too hard. His "Projekt" is one of a kind, very well thought out and by and large, well executed. When you see it, you will not believe it. And do not be fooled: he loves it.

You guys are a HOOT!. So much knowledge and so many opinions. You're all obviously passionate about your speedies. Great...!

Peter my friend, you'll know when it's right too. then just pull the trigger and your set! Remember to Stick to your GUNS Peter.. we often have too many opinions posted here! LOL...

Welcome to the maddness.... and take that SEG off your face!

Speedster "D"

Thank you,David. I feel welcome and yes, I feel the madness. I,ve been bitten by the insidious yet thoroughly intoxicating speedster virus! Peter.