Forint mounted Engine & FWD Speedster ???

Hi All,
Do you know anybody on this forum got a Front mounted Engine, WC & FWD Speedster or anybody exploring the possibility of building one?

Thanks
Boby

I don't think I've ever heard of that.
I've heard of people trying different American engine combos in VW Beetles -- old ones, I mean -- but I think the short height of the hood and the shape of the front of the 356 shape probably prevent it.
Add to that, most of these cars have their front beam assembly right where the front of the block would probably go.
The reproduction Speedster design is usually built with the idea of a rear-mounted engine. Progressive designers are now using the mid-mount configuration with the engine directly behind the seats, but I think the front-engine design would entail a complete re-think of the car's handling and structural design.
Why do you ask? Thinking out of the box, or have you got something crazy brewing?
We love new stuff here on the SOC.

As Cory says, there's very little extra space in front of the foot boxes for driver and passenger. Even if you replaced the VW beam suspension design with something else, I don't think there would be enough space for a decent engine.

There was a front engined Speedster for sale at Carlisle. Maybe someone can post a picture or information about the owner.

It had a big V8, I think with a blower. It somewhat blocked forward vision. The owner said it was hard to drive.

There might be something is the posts about Carlisle in the Events section.

This tunnel ram speedster was in Kit Car Builder a few months back. I spoke with the owner - builder at Carlisle. This car has a complete sub frame with A' arms etc. I did go back three times to look it over, then I woke myself up from a bad dream of buying it! ~Alan

Hi Guys,
Sorry about the typo in the heading. Thank you for the great responses from all the very experienced speedsters. I do value all of your inputs very much and please keep them coming. I'd like to discuss the possibilities....
Below is my dream.
1) Buy an accident damaged reasonably new car from an auction.
2) Car I have in mind is Toyota Echo (smaller engine size and capacity, hopefully cheaper)
3) Transplant "everything" in Toyota to Speedster body.

Problems (Challenges?)
1) I will have to design and build a chassis
2) Toyota Echo Engine may be too big/tall for the speedster
3) Nightmare to get it registered (which I do not care)

Final Product may give a speedster with
1) Modern EFI engine
2) Power Steering
3) Automatic Transmission
4) Disk Breaks all wheels
5) Hopefully better steering/suspension

BTW I'm in Sydney Australia availability of the spares ,donor cars will be quite different here.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Boby

If you're going to have to design your own chassis, consider putting the front wheel drive drive train behind the seats for a mid-engined layout. You'll get much better balance and handling that way, and packaging should be easier.

Boby-

Here are a few pics of the Speedy DrClock referred to.

Oh gawd it's so purty !

Thanks for digging out the pics Jim. OMG this is not what I have in mind. Also I found a front mounted Speedster based on a UK car - Metro.
speedster kit is called "Banham Speedster". Here is a one for sale with pics.

http://www.speedsters.com/cracknell.htm

That guy with the V-8 has surely lost his mind.