custom speedster

Had a few shots of this red speedster that I thought was pretty
cool, I would have changed a few things but I liked it.....
Didn't see any other pic's of this car on the site, so I thought I'd share

The car has that early Porsche look. It's not my cup of tea, but it's pretty cool just the same.

John,

The wheel treatment made the early Porsche look IMHO. The car in person led me to believe it would be an aquired taste but I will admit it sure attracted lots of gapers. The paint color sure was different also. Lots of orange in the red, made it look almost cartoon
like.

Bruce

Why do some cars such as the one pictured have rear tires that angle in at the top and out at the bottom? Do all cars have this look and you can only see it in certain pictures or is it certain cars and setups that have this angle look to the tire and rim?

It's just that those tires and wheels are special to that car. They are wider at the bottom and narrower at the top - better for cornering.

Those must be the Canadian tires I hear so much about.

They're great for driving on ice - 8 months out of the year.

Steve,
The way the rear tires sit is dependant on the type of rear suspension that the car has. If the speedster is using the '68 and older swing axle suspension, the tires will lean inwards at the top as the suspension is compressed and the rear is lowered. The '69 and newer VW rear suspension is the IRS suspension. It has 2 seperate pivot points for each side which enables the wheels to remain perpendicular to the ground as the suspension is compressed. Check out the link that is attached for more indepth explanation of the 2 types of VW type 1 rear suspensions.

www.geocities.com/aussiebug1970/rearaxle.html

Hope this helps,
Jim

The Speedster seen in the photos is mine. I am David Balser, a resident of Encinitas, and became a member of AHA just prior to Knotts. Thanks for the comments. The car was completed just recently and all of the bugs have not been worked out. The rear tires are leaning in because the torsion bars took a "set" just prior to the trip and I was running without any shock travel. The rear has since been adjusted and the tires are now sitting straight. My intent in designing the car was to give it an old school look along the lines of a "street rod", and in fact I call it the "German Street Rod". I know it is not everyones cup of tea but I dont like tea.

Very nice David. And it goes to show that wide-fender car owners don't have the market cornered when it comes time to creative intrepretations. Kudos. It is a very sano-looking car. Do you have photos of the interior?

David, I hope you will accept my genuine expression of appreciation for your unusual and interesting car. This is a right smart looking rig. You should be very proud. Incidently, my car is being built by a company which is primarily a street rod builder even though it has a very traditional look to it. If I ever make it to Knotts, I will be certain to look you and your car up.
John H.

David,
In the speedster world, you have managed to go that extra yard
to make yours stand out from the rest....
I like it.......kudos to you......

Hi David,

I spoke with you about your rear suspension at Knotts. You thought the torsion bars were tired and you were talking about air shocks. I suggested you might try new torsion bars or an adjustment. What was the fix? Hope you are having fun with your beautiful car!

Joel

David:

There are a bunch of us on this forum who have what we consider to be "Outlaw" 356's, but many of the body styles are quite similar with most of the changes between us being wheels, trim or paint or other minor mods.

Then there are a few who are going more of the "track" look and/or get a bit wilder with their mods, too, but yours is the first I've seen with as complete a "retro-look", combined with some cool custom touches. Not outlandish, mind you, but thoroughly cool looking.

What are you running for power?

Gordon

That Speedster is a Thunder Ranch product, looks real nice Dave.

Thanks to all for the compliments about my car. As John McNulty mentions this is a Thunder Ranch product. Tom McBurney was in charge of production and I delayed the project for over a year by coming up with changes every Friday to fine tune it to the the look I was after. I will have some photos done soon and will post them. Joel, I fixed the rear suspension by having adjustable spring plates installed and new Bilstein shocks. I still want to lower the car two inches all around. Gordon, I am running a 1915 VW with two 40 Webers using velocity stacks. The fan is a 911 as Tom uses on his Spyders turned around to face you as the deck is opened. Custom Headers and mufflers by "New School Motor Sports" in Escondido give it a deep sound.

P.S. I am trying to start a chapter of "Speedster Owners" in San Diego and we are shooting for June 17th as our first get together. The city of Encinitas is having its first monthly car show on Highway 101 on Thursday from 500 PM TIL 900 PM which usually draws about 200 street rods. I would like to fill up a little parking lot with Speedsters and Spyders and so far we have 5 cars. Why not join us and have a little fun. There are plenty of eateries on the sidewalks or you can bring your own. RSVP AT 760 436 6139
Thanks,
Dave

Dave,
I would like to attend the Encinitas show on the 17th, do you have a special place(parking lot)set aside? I ask this because traveling North on 5 or 101 during the 4 O'clock hour can usually be a forgetable experience. Post more pictures of your speedster, especially some of the custom treatments you generated, I think the car is a sweet combination of old and new.
John

John,
Dont have the lot firmed up yet but will post ASAP. A friend will be taking some digital pix soon and I will get them on the site.
Dave

David,
If you have been reading some of the event posts, you are probably
aware of a run some of us made to the Hotel Del...We had a great time....Once you are organized, I'm sure some of us from L.A./Orange county, would love to join in a cruise....
Maybe the canyons in north county S.D. ending at deer park or
Bates nut farm...Deer park Auto museum would be a great place for a stop...North enough for the L.A. crowd.....Lawn/Vinyard setting, lots
of old cars...Been there many times for car/concours shows....