Help buying a speedster

I've been lurking around reading about these cars for quite some time. I've raced real vintages speedsters in years past. I just love these cars. Finally one popped up locally. Drove solid, good oil pressure, etc. Everything works on it. Has driver quality paint,etc. It is a 1970 Pan, and. CMC kit. The guy is asking $14000 firm. For a mid 90's build, is this a little steep? I'm trying to find out if I need to just buy it or pass on it, I'm looking for a nice driver quality car, which I can always do a cosmetic facelift down the road. I'm on an IPad, so I can't post pics, thanks for the advice.

I am trying to upload a pic or two but I am having difficulty with this style forum... stand by

I have a CMC on a 1973 VW pan. With a CMC, it's all about how well the person built it. Be sure and look at how well the doors line up with the rear body section. It's what we call "butt sag." There has been a lot written about it on this news group. Do read about it. CMC's seem to suffer the worst. $14,000 is way too high, for "that" CMC. I paid $11,000 eight years ago. I have spent the years correction all the mistakes the original builder made. If I had to do it over again, I would buy a Vintage. BTW..Jay Lenno owns a wide body CMC.
Paul McGuffin, Green Valley, Arizona

Paul, I don't know how I didnt find this site on all of my google findings about Speedster replicas. This is a neat site. The body liines all match up pretty darn nice and there is no rattle to speak of. I drive it on a pretty rough road when I test drove it... I can't afford a $22,000 Vintage speedster sadly. I am budgeting for about $14,000 and I fully understand that it wont be show quality. I do understand about what I will have in a 14k car to get it to a nice driver, but I can piddle on it over time too... as opposed to just writing the $18,000 check up front! Thanks for your opinion.

$14,000 .... IMO, you can do better than the CMC you're looking at. I have seen many Vintage speedsters sell for that. Trust the people on this News Group. I wish I had found it before buying my CMC.

KW, people here have spent more and gotten less, including me.

Depending on what you want, you maybe ought to post up for Alan Merklin. He is ALWAYS doing some kind of rehab work on a Speedster in his Pennsylvania garage. (He's like the guy on the Stanley Steemer commercial, wailing over a salvageable roll of discarded carpet, "WHYYYYYYY?")

The man does fine work, and his cars are usually show-stoppers.

$14K might be a tad low, but you never know with Alan. Depends on what he's got into the car most of the time.

How do I find the guy you are talking about? Are you guys suggesting I stay away from this car alltogether? Yeah, I understand $14k is a lower end car, but again, if the platform is right, my wife and I are mechanically skilled and enjoy building cars together(old Mopars). The car is really going to be "hers". I just need a good running, and decent looking foundation to continue to cosmetically brighten up. As for these cars for sale, I really only know of Ebag and Craigslist.... any other honey holes to look for them in?

KW, right here within this section Alan has a post called "Junk Pile" which depicts some of his current inventory...wait, wait, just kidding here! Alan Merklin (aka, drclock) always has nice stuff looming in his garage. Check him out.

The Classified Forum on this site is a great place to start. Often they are cars known by folks here, or at least the cars have been scrutinized somewhat by the our very own "experts".

get a Vintage, at least u know who built it and can contact them for any reason. For around 16K you should be able to find a nice, sorted out car.

Ill keep looking for a vintage then...

That car has a nice VS interior that looks recent! Price that out at VS and it's $1200+. If paint and engine are as nice its good deal. Yeah, you can find cheaper CMCs but they will have issues to deal with. That's $ and time you won't be able to drive it.

The door gaps and hood gaps seem quite square on this car. It feels tight and does not rattle, etc. It has a brand new top, tonneau, windows, tires, etc. I think I might be able to get him to $13,000. Is that still way high? I'm not sure I can budget for a $16,000 car...

Look at the wiring....on home builts its usually a good indicator of the builder.

I will second (or third or fourth) the "get a Vintage" vote.

$16k will get you a basic used one. Just add money if you want a nicer one.

What I like to say is this:

Pay a fair price for a good one up front and you may only cry once. Vs crying several times if you buy a bad one for $14k.

I don't think 13,000 is out of line if the car is sorted- Alan
and others have made great looking CMC's. Where do you live?
Is there someone in the SOC that can take a look w/ you?

My experience is that if you buy a 'Home built', issues could be harder to fix vs a Vintage since Kirk has the build down to a science..He can drop a motor in 10 minutes vs somebody who buggered up the wiring so bad it takes forever to drop it...
JUST ONE EXAMPLE
but I don't think that 13 large is out of line for a well sorted tub from any of the manufacturers....

Middle TN...

$14k is a bit high for that particular CMC even with the VS interior upgardes....then again the more I look at it and the info, the more reasonable the price is. You'll need to consider what you are willing to do yourself to the speedster you decide to purchase.
If you just want to jump in and drive it, then expect to pay a bit higher in hopes that all the little issues are resolved. Mid Fall is the right time to buy as some owners tend to sell off then as the fall prices are less than they are in the warmer months. A used VS is a fine speedster as is a Special Edition, JPS, decent CMC etc, but expect to pay accordingly.
I have a running CMC speedster that needs minor work to make it spiffy...easy to do. Click on my photos to see a few past projects.

~Alan in PA. drclockATpa.net

KW: Welcome to the iPad club! Nifty little toys! Aren't they? And this eccentric "keyboard" with anticipatory word 'suggestions', just made for touch typers like me. Right...

Anyway, you don't know dr clock from a hole in the wall, but you could do a lot worse than one of his cars. Drop him an email. Start a conversation. Ask a lot of questions. He (or several others of us on here) can certainly help answer any questions that you may have.

This is a very different group. Lane Anderson, also on here, was moaning and groaning a few years back about wanting a Speedster but not able to afford one from Beck. He ended up ordering a kit and a bunch of us assembled over a weekend at the Carlisle kit car show. That's what kind of group we are, and we've done cool stuff for other folks on here as well.

Keep lurking and asking questions on here. You may just end up with a Speedster after all!

Gordon
The 'Speedstah Guy' from Beaufort, driving my CMC

I hear you! I put rod bearings in a Hemi Cuda on a tour years ago til 3 am to a total stranger in the club. I'm really excited to have found this forum. Thanks to those who have really shed light! Keith

I wasn't moaning and groaning! I was whining. It's different. Kinda.

Lane there is a very distict difference there, and once man is done whining, pouting may commence.

KW cought on to this group FAST..... LOL
Doug

Mehh, car guys are car guys.... That's just how we are...

I heard back from the gentleman, if I can get this for $13,000, in it's "everything works" condition, does this make it a better deal? Dont let my emotion get my wallet out of my pocket! Thanks guys!

I think it's too high. I paid $11,500 for a basically new vintage speedster. Just wait until a deal comes along- in this economy it surely will!

I've been lurking for a couple years, I'd love to find a VS for $11,500

As stated, I'm a CMC owner. You'll be happier, down the road, if you wait and find a Vintage. I would rather have a Vintage with a blown engine. To me, the mechanic end of the car is not important. Engines are a time a dozen, you want a car with a good body, interior, VDO gauges, good wiring,etc. When you're driving down the road, no one knows if your car is 2300cc with twin Webers or a VW with a nice exhaust.
Paul

Ok, thanks for the input. Guess I'll keep my eyes peeled!

There is a Vintage with a 1915 on craigslist in Santa Clara, Ca. The engine looks really nice. It sits a tiny bit high IMO, but it is priced at $13,500. If you are serious I could probably break free to take some photos etc.. if you are too far away.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/2513964675.html

KW Call ths guy ASAP, I'm not a great fan of the GEX motors, just be sure to have the seller fax you a copy of the title for review. Then hammer the seller a bit, ...it's a great deal . Alan

KW ... Don't get me wrong, please. My problem with the CMC you're looking at is the $14,000 price. If it were a CMC show car, correct gauges, all the correct emblems and badges, super wiring job, Carrera bucket seats, banjo steering wheel, fog lights, new top and tonna cover,nice engine with twin Webers, Freeway flyer trans, then I would say, buy it. Did I leave anything off the car? Oh, and built with the anti "butt sag" brace installed. Vintage welds a triangular piece of metal from the rear frame to the vertical risers, this prevents future Butt Sag.
Let us all know what you end up with.
Paul

Dang, that link you guys posted was flagged for removal.... I'm
Digging the help guys.. Thanks! Keith

Paul , not that it makes it any more worth it, but it's $13,000 now , ahhahaha

In this economy, I would say $11,000 would be my top bid. The thing with a Vintage, as someone said; Kirt, from Vintage, has built over 2000 cars. CMC's are a true "kit" car. 99% are one time builders. I know, I have one, and have spent seven years correcting all the builders mistakes; Butt Sage, wiring, switches, steering, new engine,etc. Just be glad you found this news group before you bought a car.
PM

I'm sorry I didn't find this forum sooner!!!

And the longer you hang around here, the sorrier you'll get!