Coming to the U.S. Part II

I'd contact Troy and tell him what you are looking for - if anyone can "fix you up" - it would be Troy.

Maybe -

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/cl...etail.php?id=2144194

Hey Tony, if you're in Sacramento for a couple of days I'm sure we can get a few of us together. @Sacto Mitch, @Ryan (formerly) in NorCal, @RocklinMike, @Rick99GSX, what say you? 

WOLFGANG posted:

I'd contact Troy and tell him what you are looking for - if anyone can "fix you up" - it would be Troy.

Maybe -

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/cl...etail.php?id=2144194

 

Thanks Wolfgang.  Just to be clear, the link Wolfgang provided is not my car and I don't know anything about it.

The only car I have at the moment is this Black Vintage, but it is much newer than what Tony needs.  I'll keep my eyes open for you Tony.

http://www.replicaspeedsters.com

WOLFGANG posted:

I'd contact Troy and tell him what you are looking for - if anyone can "fix you up" - it would be Troy.

Maybe -

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/cl...etail.php?id=2144194

 

Thanks @WOLFGANG for your suggestions. I have seen Troy's work over the years via this forum and it is always top notch!! I will put my thoughts together and contact @Troy Sloan directly.

Thanks also for the link. I will drop the owner an email to get more information.

Many thanks and kind regards,
Tony

Terry Nuckels posted:

Hey Tony, if you're in Sacramento for a couple of days I'm sure we can get a few of us together. @Sacto Mitch, @Ryan (formerly) in NorCal, @RocklinMike, @Rick99GSX, what say you? 

Hi @Terry Nuckels,

Thanks very much for the kind offer. That would be awesome!! I will firm up our itinerary dates over the next few days and give you and @Sacto Mitch, @Ryan (formerly) in NorCal, @RocklinMike, @Rick99GSX a heads-up.

I will be in touch. Kind Regards,

Tony

Troy Sloan posted:

WOLFGANG posted:

I'd contact Troy and tell him what you are looking for - if anyone can "fix you up" - it would be Troy.

Maybe -

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/cl...etail.php?id=2144194

 

Thanks Wolfgang.  Just to be clear, the link Wolfgang provided is not my car and I don't know anything about it.

The only car I have at the moment is this Black Vintage, but it is much newer than what Tony needs.  I'll keep my eyes open for you Tony.

http://www.replicaspeedsters.com

Hi @Troy Sloan,

If you are happy to keep an eye open for speedsters that tick to right 'age' box, I would be extremely grateful. As mentioned above, I will put my thoughts together and contact you directly.

I am chasing the classic speedster shape and I love your black Vintage, it is a beauty!! The age thing is a PITA as it reduces options considerably.

Thanks again for your offer of help.

Kind Regards,

Tony

P.S. Big fan of your Cruizin windows. If you have any in stock when  get my speedster it will be one of my first purchases. :-)

Pre-89 and RHD(or does that even matter to you?) is a tall order, but if you want it bad enough it will happen.

Good luck with both your search and your trip!

@awotton Tony, I may have a pre-89 Intermeccanica with roll-up windows ready to go during your visit to LA. Keep me updated.
-=theron

Hey Tony, don’t forget about me, I live in Sacramento too. Perhaps we could meet and you could drive mine to see what you think, you could even make me an offer, but it would have to be a ridiculously good one for my wife to let her baby go, a FiberFab (CMC) made in 1987 and powered by a rebuilt 1966 912 Porsche engine. Hoping you have a safe  Journey.  IndianBob

DannyP posted:

Pre-89 and RHD(or does that even matter to you?) is a tall order, but if you want it bad enough it will happen.

Good luck with both your search and your trip!

@DannyP

Thanks DannyP. Really looking forward to to our trip and doing some more exploring of your amazing country.

RHD is not a requirement, thank goodness! Cars older than 30 years are allowed to remain LHD in Aust. so any pre-89 speedster ticks that box!

I'll keep posted.

Kind Regards,

Tony

Theron posted:

@awotton Tony, I may have a pre-89 Intermeccanica with roll-up windows ready to go during your visit to LA. Keep me updated.
-=theron

@Theron

Hi Theron, I am very interested in the pre-89 IM! We land in LA on the 14th Sept and will be in the area for a week doing a few things we missed during the first trip, and the kids are really keen to do Disneyland again. I'm hoping to sneak away to Vintage Motors for a couple of hours to have a sticky-beak at Greg's shop if he can tolerate a visitor. I'll shoot him an email to check it's OK.

I will definitely make time during that week to see the car if it's available to see. I'd love to see pics.

...and Theron, can I just take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for all your efforts with creating and maintaining this amazing forum. I'm sure it has all been said before but to provide a place for fans of 'the speedster' (and I can't forget the Spyder peeps) to meet, to share, to read, to ask....and to just simply keep the dream alive for some of us, is fantastic!!! It has been a life-saver being so far away from the "greater" speedster community.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Kind Regards,

Tony

IndianBob posted:

Hey Tony, don’t forget about me, I live in Sacramento too. Perhaps we could meet and you could drive mine to see what you think, you could even make me an offer, but it would have to be a ridiculously good one for my wife to let her baby go, a FiberFab (CMC) made in 1987 and powered by a rebuilt 1966 912 Porsche engine. Hoping you have a safe  Journey.  IndianBob

@IndianBob

Hi IndianBob, thanks so much for the reply. Definitely keen to meet up if you can spare the time.

Wow, beautiful speedster!! It is a cracker!!....and 912 engine!! Can't wait to see it it person.

I will keep in touch with our dates.

Kind regards,

Tony

Terry Nuckels posted:

Hey Tony, if you're in Sacramento for a couple of days I'm sure we can get a few of us together. @Sacto Mitch, @Ryan (formerly) in NorCal, @RocklinMike, @Rick99GSX, what say you? 

Always down to go cruising/meet!

Rick99GSX posted:

Terry Nuckels posted:

Hey Tony, if you're in Sacramento for a couple of days I'm sure we can get a few of us together. @Sacto Mitch, @Ryan (formerly) in NorCal, @RocklinMike, @Rick99GSX, what say you? 

Always down to go cruising/meet!

Awesome @Rick99GSX,

I will firm up our planned days in Sacramento and will let you all know.

I will be in touch.

Kind Regards, Tony

Always keen for a drive. I’ll be around.

I'm up for a Tour de Sac

I'm located in Concord, CA (the East Bay of San Francisco Bay Area).  Located in between SF and Napa, CA.  I'll check my schedule when it gets close, but I'd be down for a meet-up.  

Any of you Sacto fellas like the Napa Valley?  Perhaps a meet-up there?

Ryan in NorCal posted:

Always keen for a drive. I’ll be around.

@Ryan (formerly) in NorCal

Great to have you on board Ryan if dates work with you. Should have firm dates by the weekend. Just waiting on a confirmation from Half-Dome Village (formerly Curry Village) in Yosemite.

P.S. Always enjoy your photographic contributions to the forum. My wife and I are both keen (amateur) photogs.

Kind Regards,

Tony

Bob Hampton posted:

I'm up for a Tour de Sac

@Bob Hampton

Great Bob!! I'm up for any tour. Look forward to meeting you. As above, dates we will be in the area should be sorted by the weekend.

Kind Regards,

Tony

Kevin - Bay Area (formerly SF-Speedster) posted:

I'm located in Concord, CA (the East Bay of San Francisco Bay Area).  Located in between SF and Napa, CA.  I'll check my schedule when it gets close, but I'd be down for a meet-up.  

Any of you Sacto fellas like the Napa Valley?  Perhaps a meet-up there?

@Kevin - Bay Area 

Hi Kevin, if the guys in Sacramento are happy to combine then Napa Valley sounds great. Otherwise we spend our last two nights of the trip in San Francisco (Laurel Heights District) before we fly home. We could always swing past Concord on our way in.

We actually stayed a night in Walnut Creek on our first U.S. trip. Saw a very nice Caddie on the street and had dinner at a place called Mel's Diner (pics below). The kids burgers were delivered in cardboard 'stangs.

@Terry Nuckels, @Sacto Mitch, @Ryan (formerly) in NorCal, @RocklinMike, @Rick99GSX, @IndianBob, @Bob Hampton, @Kevin - Bay Area 

Hi Gents,

Thanks for your patience! We have finally managed to firm up our intinerary and have confirmed our dates in Sacramento as Thursday 11 October to Saturday 13 October. We are due in San Francisco that Saturday afternoon.

Really hoping some of you guys might be available for a meet and potential cruise if you have the time.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards,

Tony

Damn, Tony! I am out for this one! My wife's 60th birthday party is on the 11th and we have family coming in for the festivities. I'll have a full house to entertain through the weekend.

I am sure you have seen this but if not:

http://intermeccanica.com/athi...-cooled-turbo-d.html

Terry Nuckels posted:

Damn, Tony! I am out for this one! My wife's 60th birthday party is on the 11th and we have family coming in for the festivities. I'll have a full house to entertain through the weekend.

 

Hi Terry,

No problems at all mate. It will be a shame not to meet you but appreciate your consideration.

All the best with the celebrations! Wishing your wife a very early ‘happy birthday’ from Australia!

Kind Regards,

Tony

MQS987 posted:

I am sure you have seen this but if not:

 

http://intermeccanica.com/athi...-cooled-turbo-d.html

@MQS987

Hi MQS987,

Thanks very much for the heads-up. That’s a pretty unique looking IM! Not sure if I have seen that style before.

I am very much stuck on the classic speedster look so it won't be an option for me, but again, really appreciate the link all the same.

Kind Regards, Tony

Thanks for understanding, Tony. 

Now, if someone could bring you up to my place in Auburn you're invited to take Penny out for a spin. She'd love the exercise!

@Terry Nuckels

Hi Terry,

A very generous offer mate. If by any chance we ended up in your neck of the woods I’ll be in touch. Even just to swing past and say g’day....and see Penny.

Kind Regards,

Tony

That maybe the reason it is the only available preowned car on the Intermeccanica sight.

I assume you saw this from another thread but in case not:

https://www.speedsterowners.co...2#586924461912088732

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/s...ster/6646899346.html         this has been posted in San Francisco craigslist on and off for a long time may meet your needs

MQS987 posted:

I assume you saw this from another thread but in case not:

 

https://www.speedsterowners.co...2#586924461912088732

Hi @MQS987,

Thanks so much for the heads-up! It's really appreciated!!

I had seen this one but I couldn't see anything in the advert identifying that it had been constructed pre-1989 (requirement for Aussie import and rego). Unfortunately it's all about construction date and not the year of the donor vehicle or the year of vehicle it's replicating.

Does anyone know when Thunder Ranch started producing speedsters?? I had only been considering the early IM's and CMC's (with pre-89 constr.)

I have been intending to post a wanted add in the Classified section with further details/clarification. I'll do that shortly!

Again, thanks for keeping an eye out for me. 

Kind Regards,

Tony

If we are not out of the country (pending available flights coming back for our Eurotrip) you can count us in

Bob Hampton posted:

 

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/s...ster/6646899346.html         this has been posted in San Francisco craigslist on and off for a long time may meet your needs

Hi @Bob Hampton,

Thanks for the link. Being an early IM it definitely ticks that 'right age' box and it looks tidy from what I can see from the photos. I'm going to contact the owner and find out more.

The last few days of our upcoming trip will be in San Francisco (Laurel Heights to be exact) so that's really close to where this one is located!!

What are peoples thoughts on the price of early IM's? Is it still all about condition??

I'll keep you posted with any developments.

Kind Regards, Tony

Rick99GSX posted:

If we are not out of the country (pending available flights coming back for our Eurotrip) you can count us in

@Rick99GSX

Hi Rick,

That would be awesome if you are about. Really hoping there is an opportunity to meet up with some of you but certainly understand other commitments.

Our trip is coming up fast. 6 weeks 'till we fly out and 10 weeks when we are in the Sacramento area.

Have a great trip yourself!! 

Kind Regards, Tony

awotton posted:

Bob Hampton posted:

 

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/s...ster/6646899346.html         this has been posted in San Francisco craigslist on and off for a long time may meet your needs

Hi @Bob Hampton,

Thanks for the link. Being an early IM it definitely ticks that 'right age' box and it looks tidy from what I can see from the photos. I'm going to contact the owner and find out more.

The last few days of our upcoming trip will be in San Francisco (Laurel Heights to be exact) so that's really close to where this one is located!!

What are peoples thoughts on the price of early IM's? Is it still all about condition??

I'll keep you posted with any developments.

Kind Regards, Tony

@awotton If you need me to check out the speedster in SF out for you, I work in the Lower Pacific Heights / Laurel Heights area of SF (well 3 days a week).  I'd be more than happy to review.  Although I'm no expert on speedsters (or anything at that), I may be able to give you a detailed analysis of what I see, hear and feel while driving.

-Kevin

Kevin - Bay Area (formerly SF-Speedster) posted:

awotton posted:

Bob Hampton posted:

 

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/s...ster/6646899346.html         this has been posted in San Francisco craigslist on and off for a long time may meet your needs

Hi @Bob Hampton,

Thanks for the link. Being an early IM it definitely ticks that 'right age' box and it looks tidy from what I can see from the photos. I'm going to contact the owner and find out more.

The last few days of our upcoming trip will be in San Francisco (Laurel Heights to be exact) so that's really close to where this one is located!!

What are peoples thoughts on the price of early IM's? Is it still all about condition??

I'll keep you posted with any developments.

Kind Regards, Tony

@awotton If you need me to check out the speedster in SF out for you, I work in the Lower Pacific Heights / Laurel Heights area of SF (well 3 days a week).  I'd be more than happy to review.  Although I'm no expert on speedsters (or anything at that), I may be able to give you a detailed analysis of what I see, hear and feel while driving.

-Kevin

Kevin, that would be awesome if things progressed. I'm sure being an owner gives you a 'level' of speedster knowledge so any impartial feedback would always be appreciated!!

I'll keep you updated.

Kind Regards, Tony

Custom Built in Vancouver, WA. Used a 1974 VW chassis from salvaged car so VIN number is from 1974 VW. Currently registered and licensed in California as a Special Construction vehicle, Year 0000.  

awotton posted:

Kevin - Bay Area (formerly SF-Speedster) posted:

awotton posted:

Bob Hampton posted:

 

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/s...ster/6646899346.html         this has been posted in San Francisco craigslist on and off for a long time may meet your needs

Hi @Bob Hampton,

Thanks for the link. Being an early IM it definitely ticks that 'right age' box and it looks tidy from what I can see from the photos. I'm going to contact the owner and find out more.

The last few days of our upcoming trip will be in San Francisco (Laurel Heights to be exact) so that's really close to where this one is located!!

What are peoples thoughts on the price of early IM's? Is it still all about condition??

I'll keep you posted with any developments.

Kind Regards, Tony

@awotton If you need me to check out the speedster in SF out for you, I work in the Lower Pacific Heights / Laurel Heights area of SF (well 3 days a week).  I'd be more than happy to review.  Although I'm no expert on speedsters (or anything at that), I may be able to give you a detailed analysis of what I see, hear and feel while driving.

-Kevin

Kevin, that would be awesome if things progressed. I'm sure being an owner gives you a 'level' of speedster knowledge so any impartial feedback would always be appreciated!!

I'll keep you updated.

Kind Regards, Tony

@Kevin - Bay Area 

Hi Kevin, I've sent you a PM. 

Tony

Today some things were put into perspective.  For awhile, I have been reading various posts about the superiority of Intermeccanica.  "IM is this, IM is that", blah, blah...blah! And quite frankly, I grew tired and annoyed and what I'll call the IM Smugness or IM snobbery.  But after today, that changed.

When I was looking at cars, I looked at Becks and VS's.  And sure, there is a discernible difference in quality between those two.  Beck makes a sound, quality product.  VS makes a decent product as well.  I love my VS....but I understand that it was a great "entry-level" speedster.  But I never drove an IM.  They were just a bit out of my reach.

This afternoon, I test drove an IM (that was built supposedly in 1979) for a fellow member who resides out of country.  The "driver-quality" exterior and interior greatly lowered my expectations of this car.  I just assumed it was going to drive like a rattle can and sound even worse.  But that expectation was quickly eradicated.  The 1776cc engine was silky smooth.  Even better was the ride.  I was completely flabbergasted.  I have spent two years finding and fixing rattles on my 2013 VS, and this (almost 40 y/o) car was rock solid.

I'll hold back my other comments about the car, as I know Tony has been in communication with the owner.  The purpose of this post is simply to say to all those IM owners who always find a way to brag about their IM's, I NOW UNDERSTAND.  

-Kevin