For those here who don
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For those here who don
First off, Jack Crosby side curtain mod.
Not my mod--the first one to come up with it was Dusty Johnson--I merely copied what he showed me.
I think far too much of my Speedster to leave it sitting at the Port Washington RR station all day. That's why I always used a Volvo beater as my train car.
I think far too much of my Speedster to leave it sitting at the Port Washington RR station all day. That's why I always used a Volvo beater as my train car.
The best thing you can do to improve your top-up field of vision is make a set of plexiglass side windows. The difference is really extraordinary. I'm not sure they seal up much better than Jack's fix, but they are certainly easier to see out of than my original side curtains. In fact, they are no more restrictive of vision than running without them installed.
While not exactly easy to make, they can be done by pretty much anyone. The key is to be willing to make prototypes to get the finicky fit around the top and particularly the windshield frame sides.
Depending on the manufacturer of your particular car, a third top latch mounted in the center seems to solve a lot of problems. I believe that Jack has done that as well.
Leak from below seem to be more of an issue with pan-based cars. I have had no such issues with my Beck due to the way the body and frame are bonded to one another. Even on a pan-based car, the fixes are well understood. Again, Jack has taken care of this on his Vintage.
Other leaks may appear around the doors - necessitating additional weather stripping, or around the windshield wiper shafts. I solved (about 90% of) the latter with rope caulk.
Finally, some windshield frames themselves will leak. I have mostly resolved that on mine by removing it and sealing rivet holes and frame edges, but I have one particular spot that still leaks occasionally (grrrr!).
Hope this helps.
While not exactly easy to make, they can be done by pretty much anyone. The key is to be willing to make prototypes to get the finicky fit around the top and particularly the windshield frame sides.
Depending on the manufacturer of your particular car, a third top latch mounted in the center seems to solve a lot of problems. I believe that Jack has done that as well.
Leak from below seem to be more of an issue with pan-based cars. I have had no such issues with my Beck due to the way the body and frame are bonded to one another. Even on a pan-based car, the fixes are well understood. Again, Jack has taken care of this on his Vintage.
Other leaks may appear around the doors - necessitating additional weather stripping, or around the windshield wiper shafts. I solved (about 90% of) the latter with rope caulk.
Finally, some windshield frames themselves will leak. I have mostly resolved that on mine by removing it and sealing rivet holes and frame edges, but I have one particular spot that still leaks occasionally (grrrr!).
Hope this helps.
Gents- Now we're getting somewhere. Thanks for the early replies. Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell everybody!
Jack, kinda makes you wonder what the guy driving the Lotus keeps in his garage don't it? I'm guessing the Space Shuttle.
What about heaters? From what I've read, it seems like gas-fired makes the most sense for short trips (my own vee-dub experience bears out the long lead-time and low output of heater boxes, even the good ones). Has the collective reached any kind of consensus on the strengths/weaknesses of the various heater options? The explosive nature of gasoline vapour is a little off-putting personally, but pound for pound it is full of calories. How's the 12 volt ceramic/big alternator solution working for those who've tried it?
Jack, kinda makes you wonder what the guy driving the Lotus keeps in his garage don't it? I'm guessing the Space Shuttle.
What about heaters? From what I've read, it seems like gas-fired makes the most sense for short trips (my own vee-dub experience bears out the long lead-time and low output of heater boxes, even the good ones). Has the collective reached any kind of consensus on the strengths/weaknesses of the various heater options? The explosive nature of gasoline vapour is a little off-putting personally, but pound for pound it is full of calories. How's the 12 volt ceramic/big alternator solution working for those who've tried it?
I think Jack Crosby has all the answers to the newer gas heaters. Jack? Get your heater out and show it off again.
http://forum.miata.net/
Terry,
I will now relay a brief anecdote vis: The Miata
When I lived in New Orleans I made a significant portion of my living renovating and restoring historic homes. In this line I had the occasion to meet a lawyer (who went on to become a very dear friend) named John with a very old house in need of a lot of attention. Consequently I spent a lot of time at John's house. John's husband, Chad, did not work . As Chad was always around and fascinated with woodworking, he became my de-facto Carpenter
I will now relay a brief anecdote vis: The Miata
When I lived in New Orleans I made a significant portion of my living renovating and restoring historic homes. In this line I had the occasion to meet a lawyer (who went on to become a very dear friend) named John with a very old house in need of a lot of attention. Consequently I spent a lot of time at John's house. John's husband, Chad, did not work . As Chad was always around and fascinated with woodworking, he became my de-facto Carpenter
So...did Chad call you "Walnut"?
No matter what Mazda does with the Miata, no matter how racy they make it, I will now and forever remember that it's a "bottom" car.
Yeah... It's really a shame too. I've driven a Miata. It's a nice, zippy little car. My mom had one.
(Tread very lightly with the "your mom" jokes, gents.)
(Tread very lightly with the "your mom" jokes, gents.)
Luke--I think that you missed Terry's point in directing you to the Miata site.
That would not surprise me in the least. I have a well deserved reputation for frequently missing the point. I thought it was a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that the best way to turn a Speedster into a daily driver would be to "turn it in" and get a Miata (which I found quite funny, I might add). Please tell me, what did I miss?
Back On Topic:
Lane,
If you are having trouble getting a tight seal between two rigid parts, especially if those parts are flexing, vibrating, being stressed, et c. as would a windshield, I would suggest bedding compound. 3M 4200 is the most commonly used product of this type in the marine industry. It adheres much better than other products to a greater variety of materials, especially metal and fiberglass, it will cure in almost any environment (even underwater)and it stays quite flexible when cured. This is the stuff we use to seal thru-hull fittings (holes in the bottom of the boat) where durable, water-tight seals under stress are a life-and-death proposition. It is only available in white or black, but is paintable. 3M 5200 has even better bonding properties still, but only use it on parts that will NEVER need to be removed, because you will never get it off.
I see a lot of people using silicone in this application but, while the material itself is waterproof, it has such poor adhesive properties that the bond quickly fails and water works its way through the gap between the part and the silicone. Also, any mechanical fastener into fiberglass should be through-bolted and
Lane,
If you are having trouble getting a tight seal between two rigid parts, especially if those parts are flexing, vibrating, being stressed, et c. as would a windshield, I would suggest bedding compound. 3M 4200 is the most commonly used product of this type in the marine industry. It adheres much better than other products to a greater variety of materials, especially metal and fiberglass, it will cure in almost any environment (even underwater)and it stays quite flexible when cured. This is the stuff we use to seal thru-hull fittings (holes in the bottom of the boat) where durable, water-tight seals under stress are a life-and-death proposition. It is only available in white or black, but is paintable. 3M 5200 has even better bonding properties still, but only use it on parts that will NEVER need to be removed, because you will never get it off.
I see a lot of people using silicone in this application but, while the material itself is waterproof, it has such poor adhesive properties that the bond quickly fails and water works its way through the gap between the part and the silicone. Also, any mechanical fastener into fiberglass should be through-bolted and
That sounds EXACTLY like the imaginary stuff I've been using in my feeble brain. Where can I see/get some?
I have seen it occasionally at the big-box home centers, or if you
Thanks. There's a West Marine not far from where I work.
No tongue-in-cheek response from me.
Dude, if you're a tough guy who could ride a motorcycle day-in/day-out, roughing it in the elements, who didn't care about leaving a pricey, fair-weather car out in said elements, more power to you. And, if you're that same dude who would religiously warm up the engine properly before taking it on a one-mile jaunt, twice a day and would change the oil and adjust the valves every three months, then good for you.
Or, perhaps you're a "spit-in-the-wind" kinda guy who likes to test the theory that the world is round, that's cool too.
How about you're the kind of guy who loves a challenge and believes he can improve things that will make life simpler for the rest of the frustrated dudes (like me) who have a face full of spit. Good on you. Have a blast. It's a great HOBBY.
When you talk about a Daily Driver, and that is not a term I would usually use to define a two mile/day commute, that has a good heater, is water-proof and low-maintenance, you're not talking about one of these plastic toys. Unless you plan on spending big bucks or mucho time.
However, the above description fits a Miata like a glove.
...Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Dude, if you're a tough guy who could ride a motorcycle day-in/day-out, roughing it in the elements, who didn't care about leaving a pricey, fair-weather car out in said elements, more power to you. And, if you're that same dude who would religiously warm up the engine properly before taking it on a one-mile jaunt, twice a day and would change the oil and adjust the valves every three months, then good for you.
Or, perhaps you're a "spit-in-the-wind" kinda guy who likes to test the theory that the world is round, that's cool too.
How about you're the kind of guy who loves a challenge and believes he can improve things that will make life simpler for the rest of the frustrated dudes (like me) who have a face full of spit. Good on you. Have a blast. It's a great HOBBY.
When you talk about a Daily Driver, and that is not a term I would usually use to define a two mile/day commute, that has a good heater, is water-proof and low-maintenance, you're not talking about one of these plastic toys. Unless you plan on spending big bucks or mucho time.
However, the above description fits a Miata like a glove.
...Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Luke, I'm going to have to agree with Terry's assessment of what terminology you're using to describe these things. You're not looking for a daily driver. You're looking for a Vespa that you can chain to a lamp post.
I read the post about taking the train into NYC and wanting to have a reliable car waiting for you that still maintains the cool factor (after you've left it sitting for the entire day over and over in a parking lot) and agreed that that would be cool -- but you'd be killing your car.
The sun will eat the dash and roof stitching. The birds will splatter it with guano. Your paint will fade pretty quickly and your chassis will doubtless degrade with that chemical mix New York uses on the roads around you.
I'd say a beater with a rough-and-tumble appearance would be less likely to be messed with, more likely to weather the weather (without its value being flatlined) and should still prove otherwise worthwhile if used in that parked-daily manner. For the cost of a motorcycle, you could get in on this and see if it's really what you want.
Go ugly early, as they say. I don't have a pretty car, and I can leave it literally anywhere with the key on the dash without fear someone will take it. It's so odd to most people that they stand back, marvel at the shape and chat with the next person who comes along about how cool it is to see one.
They're useless to a thief. Their parts are antiquated (yet plentiful), and the cops would spot the car on a flatbed in a bad neighborhood as quickly as they did Whitney Houston's crack pipe in her sock drawer.
IMHO, don't buy a new one. Buy a decent used one for under $10K, since you're a fiberglass guy anyway, and get to know it over a winter. The seats will be cold, the car will mostly behave and you'll either take up smoking while you wait for it to warm up or you'll wear a circle out around it as it sits in that gravel parking lot.
You've been posting a whole lot about the ideal circumstance. Your musings remind me of me, or of Lane, or Max ... You're barking up the right tree, but maybe overthinking the car.
They're not dream machines for the use you intend. They're plastic-bodied, for-pretend go-karts which have huge potential for fun. You're going to get wet. You're going to tear the vinyl. Your car will certainly act up from time to time and -- most importantly for what you're after, you won't have to worry about someone stealing it while you're on the construction job.
Consider any of the used ones on the market here before you go buy a new one. You'll be glad you did, especially for what you're going to do with it.
I read the post about taking the train into NYC and wanting to have a reliable car waiting for you that still maintains the cool factor (after you've left it sitting for the entire day over and over in a parking lot) and agreed that that would be cool -- but you'd be killing your car.
The sun will eat the dash and roof stitching. The birds will splatter it with guano. Your paint will fade pretty quickly and your chassis will doubtless degrade with that chemical mix New York uses on the roads around you.
I'd say a beater with a rough-and-tumble appearance would be less likely to be messed with, more likely to weather the weather (without its value being flatlined) and should still prove otherwise worthwhile if used in that parked-daily manner. For the cost of a motorcycle, you could get in on this and see if it's really what you want.
Go ugly early, as they say. I don't have a pretty car, and I can leave it literally anywhere with the key on the dash without fear someone will take it. It's so odd to most people that they stand back, marvel at the shape and chat with the next person who comes along about how cool it is to see one.
They're useless to a thief. Their parts are antiquated (yet plentiful), and the cops would spot the car on a flatbed in a bad neighborhood as quickly as they did Whitney Houston's crack pipe in her sock drawer.
IMHO, don't buy a new one. Buy a decent used one for under $10K, since you're a fiberglass guy anyway, and get to know it over a winter. The seats will be cold, the car will mostly behave and you'll either take up smoking while you wait for it to warm up or you'll wear a circle out around it as it sits in that gravel parking lot.
You've been posting a whole lot about the ideal circumstance. Your musings remind me of me, or of Lane, or Max ... You're barking up the right tree, but maybe overthinking the car.
They're not dream machines for the use you intend. They're plastic-bodied, for-pretend go-karts which have huge potential for fun. You're going to get wet. You're going to tear the vinyl. Your car will certainly act up from time to time and -- most importantly for what you're after, you won't have to worry about someone stealing it while you're on the construction job.
Consider any of the used ones on the market here before you go buy a new one. You'll be glad you did, especially for what you're going to do with it.
Bottom Car.....BWAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAA!!!
I don't care where you're from, that there was funny! Good one Luke!
Like Angela says, This site is like hanging out on the pack porch bull$h--ing with a bunch of friends!
I don't care where you're from, that there was funny! Good one Luke!
Like Angela says, This site is like hanging out on the pack porch bull$h--ing with a bunch of friends!
I had a dream once, someone stole speedy from a construction site...
Terry,
Your entirely valid points regarding the replica Speedster
Your entirely valid points regarding the replica Speedster
Luke, I have an Intermeccanica Roadster. It is very dry, has roll up windows and a top that has a liner. It is nice and warm on a 45 degree night using the stock VW heaterbox system. It is the dryest, warmest motorcycle I know of.
No offense taken, Luke.
In fact, my gay brother tells me that the Miata is the "go to" car for gay teachers. ;-)
On this site, the Miata is the default reference car when a newbie asks similar questions as yours. I think the majority of owners here would agree that the thought of using a speedster replica as a daily driver in four season real estate is crazy talk. But, to each his own.
I would hate for you to buy into a dream and be disappointed with the reality.
Thanks for the compliments on Penny. She's a country girl as we live off a one mile dirt road, 1/2 hour from civilization. It is rare when Penny isn't covered by a foot of dust but the color helps to hide it. She leaks water in and oil out. She's left me on the side of the road more times than I can count and yet, she still occupies a space in my garage after seven years and 37,000 miles. She's had several different wheel choices, an engine upgrade, suspension mods, a Berg 5-speed tranny and a host of other things that were done out of necessity or friviality. The best things that have happened for me since ownership would be the education I have received in the maintenance and repair of this throwback in automobile technology and the friendships that have developed from this irreverent site.
So, by all means Luke. Buy one of these full-scale plastic models and join the merriment.
Just don't get rid of your POS commuter car yet.
In fact, my gay brother tells me that the Miata is the "go to" car for gay teachers. ;-)
On this site, the Miata is the default reference car when a newbie asks similar questions as yours. I think the majority of owners here would agree that the thought of using a speedster replica as a daily driver in four season real estate is crazy talk. But, to each his own.
I would hate for you to buy into a dream and be disappointed with the reality.
Thanks for the compliments on Penny. She's a country girl as we live off a one mile dirt road, 1/2 hour from civilization. It is rare when Penny isn't covered by a foot of dust but the color helps to hide it. She leaks water in and oil out. She's left me on the side of the road more times than I can count and yet, she still occupies a space in my garage after seven years and 37,000 miles. She's had several different wheel choices, an engine upgrade, suspension mods, a Berg 5-speed tranny and a host of other things that were done out of necessity or friviality. The best things that have happened for me since ownership would be the education I have received in the maintenance and repair of this throwback in automobile technology and the friendships that have developed from this irreverent site.
So, by all means Luke. Buy one of these full-scale plastic models and join the merriment.
Just don't get rid of your POS commuter car yet.
It is a POS, but hey? the price was right. My motto was, is and always will be, "Dirve it like you stole it."
Cheers!
Cheers!
Cory,
Vespa? Am I in a Mentos (the fresh-maker!) commercial?
That
Vespa? Am I in a Mentos (the fresh-maker!) commercial?
That
So, Luke, what are you looking at? I'd recommend chatting with Merklin if you get the chance.
Luke, whatever planet you are from, I like your style.
I arrived here several decades ago from Mars and have been out of step ever since, as can probably be documented from the various road rockets that I have owned.
My first car was a TR-3B and, over the years, I have tended three Morgans. I had always thought that side curtains were just a plague that accompanied these motor carriages and a force to be reckoned with. I carried a couple of heavy towels behind the seats but I never had the pleasure of water sloshing around my feet. I longed for better weather.
More recently, I learned that the Germans shared this affectation with the Brits by moving into the Speedster domain. Moving to warmer climates solved the heater problems but age has forced a different view of the water problem and the Spartan nature of these feisty steeds.
I caved and opted for a coupe. Life is good.
I arrived here several decades ago from Mars and have been out of step ever since, as can probably be documented from the various road rockets that I have owned.
My first car was a TR-3B and, over the years, I have tended three Morgans. I had always thought that side curtains were just a plague that accompanied these motor carriages and a force to be reckoned with. I carried a couple of heavy towels behind the seats but I never had the pleasure of water sloshing around my feet. I longed for better weather.
More recently, I learned that the Germans shared this affectation with the Brits by moving into the Speedster domain. Moving to warmer climates solved the heater problems but age has forced a different view of the water problem and the Spartan nature of these feisty steeds.
I caved and opted for a coupe. Life is good.
P.S. Jack Crosby is my hero!!
Just ask yourself,"would I ride a motorcycle in this snowy/wet/cold weather?" If the answer is yes,then go for it!
My home planet? Well, it was a long way away, but it isn
Luke. You lurked far too long!
A real test for this "don't give a crap about my car attitude" will be for you to buy the $65,000 pea green, turbo'd baby on eBay (also posted in Classifieds) right now and then run that sucker right into the ground...go ahead, I dare you :-) Then come back and tell us how much you enjoyed the ride to and from the train station everyday :-)
You misunderstand me. I care very deeply for my things, but they are after all just that- things. And, as we all know, things fall apart. Have you ever heard an elderly aunt say, "I don't know if I can cut into it. That cake is just too pretty to eat!"? My point being that if you don't eat it, it isn't a cake. It is a poorly made sculpture that won't last very long, so you might as well eat it.
To me, the idea of owning a car that never leaves the garage would be like marrying Bridgitte Bardot and never... well, you get the idea. As to the pea green turbo, I don
To me, the idea of owning a car that never leaves the garage would be like marrying Bridgitte Bardot and never... well, you get the idea. As to the pea green turbo, I don
Luke, don't you DARE let these miscreants run you off. They ARE kidding.
Don't go away mad, Luke, we're just funnin' with ya.
NAAAAAH... On third thought, I want me a Speedie!
Perhaps it was I who was making sport of you.
Rich, you traded a restored BMW for a kit car with no engine, and you
Perhaps it was I who was making sport of you.
Rich, you traded a restored BMW for a kit car with no engine, and you
Did I really say you were crazy? If I did, I apologize. However, I do know that I am.