Hello

I also forgot to add that I'm not afraid of a car that needs mechanical work.  I've been through every nook and cranny of my Ghia.  I'm very familiar with the VW mechanicals.  I also could care less about amenities like A/C and a radio.  The 4-cylinder symphony playing behind me that's being conducted by my right foot is all the music I need!  Also, I'm only interested in IRS cars.  Swing axles are an immediate pass for me.

One thing I wanted to ask about was steering, because that's the only aspect of my Ghia that I'm not a huge fan of.  The worm and sector steering box just doesn't give me the same feel as the unassisted R&P that my TR6 has (probably the ONLY thing I'll truly miss about that car, and my favorite steering feel of any car I've driven).  Do all the speedsters use the same box as Ghia/Bugs, or are there any out there that have a R&P setup?

Welcome to the Madness, Era (if that's your real name ;-).  I loved living in the Raleigh area some years back and envy the nice curvy, hilly roads you have up there.  Charleston is too straight and flat to have much driving fun.

I have owned several MGs (and still  lust after them on occasion) and agree that R&P is preferable.  However, the steering box in your Ghia can probably be adjusted and or properly lubricated to provide better steering response.  Get "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive" by John Muir for info on those adjustments.  My Beck is reasonably tight, with less than 1" of play on center.  I'm running 120-130 hp in a 1700 lb car.

Be aware that the manufacturer (and builder, if different) of any given Speedster makes a lot of difference in how it looks and drives.  You can get one as potent as your heart desires and your budget allows.  Interior layouts differ between brands, tops vary in convenience and effectiveness, and power train options are numerous, but they are all fun.

WTTM! Smart approach to this, taking your time and getting to know the cars etc. I think there are several site members in your neck of the woods who can offer advice, chances to look at various cars and mfgr. differences. Since you already have a Ghia your knowledge of this type of car is further down the road then many who want to jump in. 

Good Luck!

I remember looking at a new TR6 back in '72.  Rainy day and dealer had new on on the lot - of course right off the drivers door handle wouldn't open the door.  Ended up buying a new Porsche 914.  Still love the aggressive look of TR6 and big red stripe Michelins - but not the mechanical/electrical issues.

Vast majority still use the VW worm-gear steering.  You need to look at Theron's (SOC site admin).  It's a very dark plum purple (near black under certain light) plus it has a unique metal craft "advanced" chassis --- not an old VW pan.  Its is in CA but shipping or a cross country jaunt would bring it to NC.

Not sure adverse reference to the 1800 cc.  There are thin slip in 88 mm P&C but there are thick  walled ones too.  90, 90.5 and 92 mm P&C are fine too.

https://www.speedsterowners.com...edster-for-sale---ca

Theron's beauty.

"...the TR6 is a straight up drama queen.  It needs about twice as much work as the Ghia for about half as much driving time.  Probably by next summer I'll have everything sorted on the TR6"

I wish you luck on that.  Having owned a TR6 myself, I remember spending more time underneath it than inside it.  Best sale I ever made was when I sold that car.

My Ghia, however, took almost no maintenance and would go forever and wherever.

As the owner of three speedsters (one after another, that is), if you get a well sorted one, you will enjoy it.  Look carefully, as they come in all different configurations.

As for steering, my current car has rack and pinion, and I do prefer it to the worm gear setup in my previous two.  I feel it gives a lot tighter steering and much more direct steering response.

I've actually got the Bentley manual for my Ghia.  I've been able to get the play down to just over an 1", but I can't get it any tighter.  Of course it's possible my steering box is wearing out.  At some point in the 60's (not sure when), VW changed the box from being one that you can re-lubricate to one that's sealed and "permanently" lubricated.  Obviously I've got the latter so maybe at some point I'll try out a new steering box for it and see if it feels any better.

Oh man, that's gorgeous!  And right in my budget once I sell the 6.  Too bad it's for sale now and not in a year or two!

Ha!  That sounds like something that would happen with a 6!

That's exactly the boat I'm in, and why I got interested in the speedsters.  The reliability of the type 1 is incredible.  I actually bought my Ghia in Wilmington and drove it home 2hrs to Raleigh.  I putzed around town with it for a few weeks afterwards before I did any real work to it.  The first time I set the timing it was off by double digits and I'd been driving around without any troubles!  Of course it drove much better once I set it to 30 degress at 3500rpm!  But still, the fact it drove at all is amazing.

The Ghia is my daily driver and it hasn't left me stranded once.  I don't own any modern cars...I don't like em.  Except for the Lotus Elise, there's nothing modern that I'm interested in.  I always feel like they're driving me instead of the other way around!  Probably not many 33-year-olds that would say that!

Also, thanks for the welcome, guys!

BTW, has anyone used the Mendeola front suspension with the R&P steering on a speedster?  Will it fit under the body?

Era, Do a search for "coolryde" (kevin Zager) here, you'll be right at the source of some gorgeous work on the subject: https://www.speedsterowners.com...2#327524467623933542

 hello My tar heel comrade  I prefer the classic lines of a speedster not to wild about the wide body   a Beck or Intermeccanica will have more luggage room and the roadsters' are more rain worthy   they have roll up windows also  I turned a VS into a roadster  Not a small task . but if you have time  can be done.. it takes a while to make it all fit and line up  And to convert the doors to rollup's  But I do like it..

KEVIN HAS AWESOME PRODUCTS

I think I've seen his Ghia over on The Samba.  I remember when it started with one post: a guy asking, "can I put a lowlight body on a chassis with a mendeola suspension and a subi engine".  Most people thought he was joking until he showed the pics to prove it.  Awesome stuff!

Time's what I got!  I'm not scared of some wrench turning!

WTTM! As Wolfgang said, there are thin and thick-walled 88 and 92mm piston/cylinder sets, and 87's pretty thin as well. They'll work fine, but being thinner, they don't have the heat dissipation capabilities the thicker ones do and when overheated will go out of round faster. I believe the thick-walled 92's are the thickest available. Al

Not sure on your budget but this one seems to fit your request.  A new one with all these options is at least 20K more. This is a Roadster.

http://intermeccanica.com/athi...titled-roadster.html

Henry pointed that one out to me and it's definitely a case of "I would if I could."  To quote Ferris Beuller, "If you have the means, I highly recommend it."

ouch

Wooo, man!  Gorgeous, but that's about double what I'm willing to spend.  I'd rather get something in the mid teens that I can wrench on and make my own, than buy something completely finished.

A Speedster fan, an air cooled engine and a Queens of the Stoneage fan or just Common Era man? Enjoy the hunt!

Ha! I think you're the first to call me out on QOTSA!  I use this screen name over on The Samba too.  Definitely my favorite band - hell, I named my company after one of their songs!

That's a beautiful speedster you've got there, man.  That's exactly the look I like for a widebody.  Hey I was looking through the photo section on here - your buddy's TR6 looks EXACTLY like mine.  Same year and everything.  When I first saw it I thought someone had snapped a pic of my car!

In that case, I know one TR that'll be for sale probably by next summer!

Rebuilt rear suspension, rebuilt ZS carbs, rebuilt cooling system, rebuilt clutch master and slave cylinders, new fuel tank, new window regulators, new plugs wires coil rotor cap, prothane and poly bushings, 4 yr old amazing paint in Lexus 8P4 indigo, new heavy duty u-joints, etc.  By next year I plan to have rebuilt the front suspension, put on new hubs, and flushed the brake system.  If you know anyone that's looking, send em my way!

Anyway, sorry for the advert.  In all seriousness I can't wait to finish this TR so that I can sell it off and legitimately begin the hunt for my speedster!

Lane? Weren't you toying with a trip back to the Dark Side? 

Love the TR6! Very pretty! 

We had originally started looking for a '69 Firebird 400 convertible (my Father inlaw has two 68's) and then it evolved into this. I had just decided to have one built for her after looking for over a year, from Seattle to Florida and Arizona to New York. Then I found this one eight miles from the house.

The hunt is a big part of the fun and when we started, we were looking for a classic Speedster and ended up with a widebody Outlaw!

Doing the research, being open minded and taking your time are the best things you can do.

Still am Ed, but haven't been able to commit to saying bye-bye to the Speedster just yet.  That coupe thread of Gerddddd's has me thinkin', tho'.  Leaning hard toward something with a metal roof (or a reasonable facsimile thereof).

When TR6's are good, they're very good, and when they're bad they're...  Well, they can be pretty bad.  I used to keep a friend's TR in tune when we were in college and it was the sweetest sounding car on the planet.  Gorgeous to look at and a sweet engine, but every one I drove had heavy steering and lots (LOTS) of cowl shake.  I've driven my friend Mike's '56 AH 100 and other than his overdrive (which makes me VERY envious) I prefer the Speedster.  It's quicker, roomier, rides better, handles better, and is more comfortable.  Just a LOT noisier on the interstate.

LANE GET A COUPE U WILL LOVE IT

Thanks man!  Yeah, I agree that the hunt is a huge part of the fun.  I've had the 6 a while now, and I do drive it a few times a week and enjoy it, but the last few months I've really been getting that itch to move on to something new...and something less needy. 

Funny how they'll pop up near you like that though.  Patience and research is the name of the game

Like I said earlier, I do love that heavy steering.  I guess the overdrive is something I'll miss from mine as well.  For me, really, it's the constant tuning on the ZS carbs that's annoying.  They're massively over-engineered, first of all.  And they seem very susceptible to ambient temps - being very petulant when it gets below 55-ish degrees out.  I also feel like there's a bit of frame/body flex that makes it not feel as solid in terms of handling as a VW pan. 

Replace the ZSs with a set (triple, perhaps?) of SUs.  They're as simple as an anvil and just as reliable once setup properly.  My last MG ('65 Midget) had some pesky carb problems cause by vacuum leaks from worn bushings.  Once they were rebuilt I never had to touch them again.

"I also feel like there's a bit of frame/body flex that makes it not feel as solid in terms of handling as a VW pan."

Now, there's an understatement.  Just don't put your finger in the door gap when you are going over any sort of bump, or you'll lose it.  I also had constant trouble with the rear hubs on my 6 - they constantly came loose.  And, unless you had the fuel injected model, that six cylinder engine really didn't generate much horsepower, especially in later models that were de-tuned to meet smog requirements.

Sad to say, a Miata will run circles around a TR6 - I had it happen to me, and then I bought a Miata...but I'll take my Speedster over both of them.

I had a TR250 that I liked a lot. Only made them one year, between the TR4 and TR6. British Racing Green with 8 spoke Minilites. The TR4a IRS with that lovely British 6 cylinder tractor engine was actually a lot of fun.

I remember using a floor jack on a customers TR 6 door gaps went every way and that was the end of that....

Yeah, when I was rebuilding the rear suspension, I only had the rear jacked up.  The frame flexed so much I couldn't open the doors to release the parking brake so that I could turn the axles to unbolt them. I had to put the wheels back on, drop the car back down, so that I could open the door.  Total PITA!

The rear hubs on 6's are awful.  A company called Goodparts makes beefed up machined aluminum hubs, as well as CV joint axles for the 6.  Those are the new hubs I'll be putting on next year.

Luckily cars over 35 are exempt from emissions tests and inspection in NC.  I've removed all the power-robbing emissions components. 

That's probably the route I'd go if I planned to keep the car long term.  Also a company called PRI Race sells a flat side Mikuni conversion that's supposed to outperform SU's and ZS's. Weber DCOE's are also pretty popular on the 6.

Considering I don't plan on keeping it long term, I'll let the next owner decide if he wants to spend the $900-$2000 it takes to do any of those conversions.

I like what I'm seeing on Intermeccanica's website.  Looking at the pics, it looks like the front suspension is 914 or 912.  It looks like the rear might also be 912? Those diagonal arms don't look like the VW IRS diagonal arms.

Are Intermeccanica's only sold as completed cars?  So I wouldn't need to worry that some guy that didn't know what he's doing assembled the kit in the shed behind his house? 

Unless you buy a reeeeeally old IM (70's or maybe early 80's) they are all factory built on a proprietary frame.  Most have standard VW suspension, but 911 suspension and even running gear are available at a price.

I believe 1986 was the change over from VW pan to a specially constructed frame for the IM cars.

Were the pan-based cars home-built or were they factory built?

Early IM's '77 - '79, all 608 of them built in Santa Ana, were not sold as kits, and even though in 1976 a knockdown kit had been developed it was never brought to market. I just read and [more importantly] quoted "The Story of the Prancing Bull" so I'm an expert [not :]

My car is a '78 IM and may be an exception because Kevin tells me the welding on some parts of the chassis were amateurish