Driving in Texas

Why don't you ask these questions in your other thread and keep it all in the same place? You'll get more complete responses (I think) if it's all together. 

To the best of my knowledge and for what ever reason there a has never been a speedster stolen from a Hotel to date.   Air cooled when done right will withstand hot summer temps. Yes Subaru engine is a plus .  IM speedster / Roadster has roll ups. and Vintage Motorcar ( Greg Leach) has a coupe and Beck ( Carey Hines) is in the beginning stages of coupe development.

You are much better off installing a kill switch,  disconnecting your battery ground cable,  or some such trickery.  Windows won't provide any security on a car with a canvas top.  Some folks here, ask the hotel front desk if they can park up front in line of sight of the desk.

You can't keep anyone out of a convertible...Get a coupe if you want it secured!

Vw and Porsche convertibles had a keyed lock on the  the trunk release knob. I've had many converts over the last 50 years and seldom locked them as it's easy to cut the top get in.  Just never leave any thing in the car to be stolen. Our VS has AC and is air-cooled.  So far no overheating issues. Our area gets into the low 100's. If it's cold we dress for it and carry an extra blanket for my wife. If Comfort was a driving concern I'd be driving a late model Corvete.  

I often describe my speedster experience to that of owning and sailing a sailboat.  Before driving, I check the weather for the times I plan to be out.  I also think about the roads travelled, and if there is heavy traffic on the routes.  While my engine can handle 90 degree weather while in motion, it tends not to like sitting in gridlocked traffic at those temps (neither do I).  Luckily for my car, I can't stand sitting exposed in the hot sun more than my car.  

Have you considered a Convertible D?  That's like having your cake, and eating it too. (to a degree)

Becks do come with door locks, but I don't see the point.  You can pull up a corner of the top and reach in to unlock it.  A battery disconnect and just closing it up to reduce temptation should be adequate.  Even an IM with roll-up windows is vulnerable.  Heck, you could get in a Miata or other modern convertible if you're motivated.  I would install the disconnect and not worry about it.  No one here has had issues.

As for driving in the heat, I live in coastal South Carolina, with is very similar to coastal Texas and I had no problems with my air-cooled engine for some 57k miles.  A Subaru would support A/C better if you want that.

Well damn...I just replied to the other post. Lol

 I’m off of I-20 and Spur 408. Lemme know if you talk/see one of the only coupes in the area. 

Art posted:

You are much better off installing a kill switch,  disconnecting your battery ground cable,  or some such trickery.  Windows won't provide any security on a car with a canvas top.  Some folks here, ask the hotel front desk if they can park up front in line of sight of the desk.

Good idea on kill switch.

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

I often describe my speedster experience to that of owning and sailing a sailboat.  Before driving, I check the weather for the times I plan to be out.  I also think about the roads travelled, and if there is heavy traffic on the routes.  While my engine can handle 90 degree weather while in motion, it tends not to like sitting in gridlocked traffic at those temps (neither do I).  Luckily for my car, I can't stand sitting exposed in the hot sun more than my car.  

Have you considered a Convertible D?  That's like having your cake, and eating it too. (to a degree)

I have been looking at the IM Convertible D's on their website and online. Its hard to tell how difference the appearance is versus the earlier model Speedsters (love the lines).  

Are you aware of the appearance differences?

Wish I could see two of them side by side (in person or in a pic/video).   

Proximity sensor, battery cut off switch, hidden fuel pump switch & ignition switch piece of plastic dowel in the coil wire dizzy cap socket, ( or take the coil wire with you) make a simple brake clutch pedal U lock and the list goes on....Me I "borrowed" the HS Principal's Beetle a couple of time in HS, each acquisition took less than 20 seconds to fire it up  :~) 

"I have been looking at the IM Convertible D's on their website and online. Its hard to tell how difference the appearance is versus the earlier model Speedsters (love the lines).  

Are you aware of the appearance differences?

Wish I could see two of them side by side (in person or in a pic/video)."

I have owned both.  Bodies are not different, as far as I could see.  The differences are the windshield (lower in the Speedster); convertible top (much more substantial in the Convertible D); and sometimes the interior (although that is tailored to your preferences re: seats, door panels being the main differentiators.  The D gives more rain protection, and with the higher windshield, maybe fewer bugs in your hair.  The D convertible top is padded for more warmth, but sticks up more when down.

Both can be built with whatever options you want.

I am sure others will chime in here.

Rajun,

The lines of a Speedster and a D are the same— they are both “A” bodies. The “A” bodied cabriolets were different behind in the back.

The Speedster had a lower windshield, and more spartan seats. The folded top lays flatter, and the originals and all replicas (except IMs) have side curtains rather than roll-up windows. IM Speedsters have side windows. 

The “D” was an evolution of the Speedster concept, still with a removable windshield, but with most of the “racer only” compromises softened a bit. The windshield is a couple of inches higher and squared off, the seats are sprung, the top is less like sitting in a WW2 tank, and the side windows roll up and actually afford sight-lines. 

The “D” was a one year only “A” body (‘59), and was superseded by the “B” body Roadster in ‘60.

In ‘05 when I was buying, I thought I’d be young forever, and bought a Speedster “coach”. If I had it to do over, I’d get a “D”. 

It hasn't been mentioned yet, so I'll add this.

One of the best 'security' measures is a full tonneau cover - the kind that covers the whole interior when buttoned up. I keep this in place almost all of the time and hardly ever use the top.

Obviously, a tonneau won't deter a serious car thief - almost nothing will - but serious car thieves mostly avoid these cars - they're much too conspicuous, difficult to sell, and almost useless as a source for high-demand, high-dollar parts.

The tonneau will discourage kids who might be tempted to jump in and monkey around and will hide from view stuff like an expensive, wood steering wheel or that jacket you decided to leave in the car.

Using a tonneau instead of putting up the top when parked is much easier and saves wear on the top and keeps it clean. When the tonneau gets worn or dirty, it's much easier to clean and cheaper to replace.

And hell, just having a clutch pedal is a deterrent to most thieves today.

"And hell, just having a clutch pedal is a deterrent to most thieves today."

Amen.

Yes and instead of installing a stick to lock the windshield they now are selling fake pedals to install on the floor. 

Stan Galat posted:

 

In ‘05 when I was buying, I thought I’d be young forever, and bought a Speedster “coach”. If I had it to do over, I’d get a “D”. 

Stan, thanks for sharing the info, and as I am getting older as well, its hard to not appreciate the creature comforts. 

Bob: IM S6 posted:

 

I have owned both. 

Wow. Lucky. 

Thanks for the info on the differences between the two models. That was very helpful. 

IM Conv D Suby.  Skip the first 2 mistakes.

Google images will show you what you want to see!