Highest Mileage Daily Driver Speedster

Just wondering, what is the highest mileage anyone had managed to put on a Speedster? I imagine with care that number should be infinite. But seems that people give up their Speedsters long before that for various reasons. I'm looking at getting a Speedster as a third "toy" car, but I do want to rack up some miles on nice days. I can do the rest of the rainy snowy days in my AWD car. I guess the question would be if the mileage pile on with ease or are you guys very judicious about the use of your Speedsters? Thanks.

David,
funny you should bring this subject up, trying to get these guys to
get their cars out of the garage and cruise as a group is like pulling teeth....I'm in sunny Southern California, and when we have a run we get the same 5 or 6 cars, with the rest of the locals having some lame excuse of how they would love to join us BUT.......
I'm not sure if they are afraid to pile up miles, have an accident,
break down or what, they will rave about how great their speedster
is, but don't it out of their own town. Also I am suprised how many
end up for sale after 6 months of ownership, but tell how great their car is..
I just returned from an 850 mile trip in mine with my wife, top down
wind blown, 400 miles in one day on the return trip. Had a frigging
ball....
You are basically driving a VW, so figure you can drive it anywhere
you would take a VW.....
Ask Jim Ward how many miles he put on his coming to California,
He's a legend in these parts.....Jim I love ya..........

David,

Vince is correct, the Speedster is basically attached to the VW Platform. Do your Preventative Maintenance and you will basically Add alittle oil every now and then and keep it filled with gas (Most of us have a 10 Gallon Tank).

Some of the owners travel alot and Vince is a good example.

Last weekend, I did about 400 Miles (Infinion Race Way and Back) and averaged about 29 MPG (65-75 Miles-an-Hour Average).

I'm located in the Sierra Nevadas, Central California not much close to anyone so I kind of do my own thing due to logistics.

My next trip will be Laguna Seca in October for Le Mans Proto Type, GTS & GT 4 Hour Enduro.

With "Minimal Human Comforts",(No A/C & Minimal Heat) the Speedster is a Drivers Car. I don't own one for those comforts, just driving enjoyment.

Just be prepared on a trip: Car Cover, Extra Oil, Fan Belt, Ignition Parts, Fuel Pump, Spare Tire (Fix-al-Flat) and a Cell Phone. I carry a few items that will allow me to primarly allow me to "Keep on the Road" if I have a problem. Other then that, I just drive and enjoy the "Adventures" the Speedster will generate in the form of "Experiences".

Good Luck,

Jack Blake

David; I just bought my Speedster four or five months ago but from my limited experience I can tell you that miles are added to the odometer almost unknowingly and out of sheer enjoyment as compared to your regular daily driver. You don't even notice that the miles are piling up.

In April 2003 I purchased my 55 Classis widebody in Mass and drove it the same day to Warwick, IR where I repositioned the ddrivers seat so that I could fit into it. I than started my trip to No. Cal. Three and one-hailf days later I was home. The longest stretch I drove was straight throught from Rollins, Wy to Danville, Ca. I almost neede help to get out of the car when I got home.

Part of the trip I drove with the top down, but thunderstorms from Ohio to Wy froced me to put the top up. That's when I found out the car leaked like a seive. In WY, Ut and over the Sierra Navada's I got the trill of driving through snow. It is not a trip I plan to do again, ever. P.S. Two days afet I got home my 17--cc engine blew. I now have a 1915 cc engine with an external oil cooler.

Where's speel check when you need it?

Guys, thanks for the replies so far. So there IS a population out there that may be "afraid" to pile on the miles. Save for those (I may be one of them) that keep the speedster in their garage for decoration, the weather up here may also hinder any significant accumulation of miles. What would keep someone in milde climates from driving it every second they can? Seems like all the pre-owned Speedsters for sale I've come across so far are all low-miles and short ownership. Maybe the owner realizes it's not right for them and get rid of it, while others keep it for eons. I guess it's like dating - some relationships work, others don't, but eventually everyone finds that special someone.

I don't know why but since I've always wanted one desperately, I know this one's a keeper. Somehow the enchantment doesn't fade away....

My odometer should hit 80,000 miles in about a month or so. 77,000 by me :)

This is a great point; and it dovetails with the never ending "insurance" discussion. If you want to save some money and go for a company that insures your car as a 'collector' you will probably have a mileage limitation. Going over that limit could void your policy. These cars (being repros built on reliable chassis and with lower mileage engines) should be driven. Weather permitting, it's my first choice to drive. Enjoy the car; and I haven't figured out how to do that unless I'm driving it. If I wanted a 'garage queen' I'd have bought the real 356.

Jim
That's me you hear clapping hooting and 'a hollering .... and giving you a standing ovation......... Well said !

Alan M

I drive mine most everyday and since getting it on the road about two months ago it has driven about 3000 miles. This is a lot for me in any car as I only usually work three days a week, but this summer I have been working almost everyday Monday through Friday. I plan to keep driving my IM everyday until the weather gets wet and snowy in late November and then put it away until March so that leaves 4 months of sitting except on rare nice winter days. The 4 months this winter will be spent doing some little upgrades and changes I want.

I took delivery of my VS in August 2001. As of today I have 31,277 miles on it with a mexi-engine chunked out the first 2500 miles. I have run a local built (with my hands all over it) 1776 since. This mileage does not count 2 weeks without a speedo cable with 2-3 runs to my sister's 220 miles R/T.

This week, after adjusting my valves, putting on new air filters, plugs, rotor and cap, wires, changing the oil and filter, changing the fan belt (in the nick of time), changing both in-line fuel filters, doing about 30 minutes of engine detailing and 4 hours of cleaning and polishing..... well, she's ready to go again. I put all new wheel bearings after the LA run... not that it needed them, but just for PM along with new Dunlops. I also put in a pair of Speedster seats that I received from John at JPS, new cocoa mats, and some clips for the rear Porsche script.

My only required adjustments to my VS have been a new vert top header and clips, and a door closure adjustment to take out a slight rattle. I replaced the clutch when I changed out the engine, and that has been it. In other words... other than that initial experience with a mexi-cast engine I have run this VS with normal maintainance and only two minor roadside adjustments in probably around 32-33,000 miles. The roadside adjustments? I changed a fan belt once after thrashing it on a 260 mile run at 41-4500 rpms on 3:88 R&P on a +90' day. And, I drained the tank at an oil change station after I pulled up to a station and pumped a gallon of Deisel in a medded out state. I changed the gas filters 100 miles down the road for insurance.

I run 91-93 Octane even if it's a waste. I ran synthetics but found a few leaks in the cooling system. I now run 20/50 and I dare you to find a drop of oil on the cement in her spot in our garage.

This rant isn't to say my car is better than others.... hell I can name at least 2-3 dozen cars here I would love to have... and I am eying John Leader's build with relish. I am planning a build too, as soon as I figure out some other important business.

The simplicity of these cars is the beauty of them. In a medic's field bag I carry a fan belt, 2 gas filters, wires and plugs, carb cleaner, gasket seal, clutch cable, fuses, rolls of wire and tape, bulbs, etc. I also have built a tool kit that has ONLY the tools I need for tasks that I might have to do on the road, including the valves, and pulling carbs. I also carry a AAA card, Cell Phone with back up batteries, and a Credit card.

Yes, there is a risk, Bruce had a problem coming down from Oregon to LA.... and he maintains his car like new. But I'll betcha that amongst us, Bruce's annual mileage before and since is in the top 10 or 15 owners in this club. Bruce is a fearless man, and a driver delux. So is Vince. Both are Vietnam era vets....hmmmm.

And this isn't an endorsement for VS... although it could be. My point is, that the only thing that holds us back is fear, or maybe wanting to cruise in the family luxo instead. I liken it to a flying vacation.... now if you go to St Johns or Maui you gotta fly. But if you go to Florida? Most will fly. Me? If time permits my ass is strapped into whatever mama will ride in.... sometimes it's the Speedster. If I'm solo? I will be driving it, period. I'd do the same with a JPS, CMC, etc, and would love it in an IM!

These cars are about driving.. and an era where the road was the path to adventure. I still live in that world. So does Vince, Bruce (east and west) Mike, Paul, John (east and west) My guardian's the Nichol's (Dad and Son), Dale, Rick, George, Alan, a bunch of the NoCal and SoCAL guys, the Candadian brothers, Scott, Steve, and a whole bunch I should name right now, like 90 % of the members, but I need to close.

Are they built for it? Better than my 56 Belaire was. Oh, let me you in on something.... my tach edged 500 RPMS on both sides of 4000 RPMs all the way from OKC to LA and Back..... NO FEAR!

Humbly, Jim

David,
see what I mean....Jim is a legend on this site...
I had a weak moment last month where I wanted a 356 coupe
real bad, I've always wanted one and there were a few
"A" types that were pretty frigging cool, but then I realized
I have one of the coolest designed cars of all time, relatively
maintance free, what would I want a problem car for? I don't..
at least not at this time (I don't even have a job at the moment)
perhaps in a few years when the need to cruise goes away
and just want something to look at....in the garage......

Vince has made a few good points, but there are those of us who enjoy working on our cars as much (and for some, more) than driving them.

That was me for the ten years, part time, that I was finishing mine. Once finished, I get to drive it more but then I was a bit worried that, on longer drives and with Summer temps outside, the temp gauge liked to be a bit on the high side for my liking (220-225). That was one of the reasons for trailering it to Carlisle. No top in the 5 hours of downpour coming home would have been another one, but it was already on the trailer........

So back into the shop during New England's best weather of the year to go the external cooler route. I should be back on the road tomorrow and, if all goes well, should be able to go anywhere at any speed and not worry about overheating. And to Jim's point about carrying spares, if I spring a leak in the cooler oil system, I can by-pass everything by pulling one hose and connecting it between the pump and the gallery inlet fitting and keep on truckin with the stock cooler - thought ahead on that one!

Still, I like to do other things than ride around in the Speedster, and my wife has an eye condition that makes it difficult for her to ride in an open car (although we're trying out some cool-looking Adidas sports sunglasses (like stylized ski goggles) to see if they help, and plan on making the trip to Massachusetts this weekend for the Hebert's VW show). All this and typically colder, wetter New England make having a coupe really smart here, and would allow me a much longer driving year. Anyway, I drive it whenever I can, and sometimes even when impractical (like when I picked up an 80 pound bag of charcoal for my smoker or three bags of cement for Kathy's greenhouse project.)

I did find an oil leak when I was installing the cooler and filter, though. Looks like either the rear main seal or that little cam plug behind the flywheel. It's not really bad yet, so I guess it'll last the Summer and I'll fix it this Winter - spent the last two+ weeks on this cooler project and don't feel like lying under a car any more this Summer!

Jim........eloquent as always.
Vince.....stop grumping about occasional drivers - we're doing the best we can. Just enjoy those who DO come out and keep telling folks how good a time y'all had (and I really believe that you DO!) and more will follow.
For the rest of you, quit worrying about which "collector's" insurance you should buy to save, maybe, a couple of hundred bucks a year. I registered mine as a '69 VW (which it is) just so I could drive it whenever and where-ever I want. Next step is to get a professional appraisal to up the coverage to replacement cost (which will add, I'm told, about $75 per year to the current cost of about $450 through state farm here in RI. That's still cheap in my book.)

Build it, tinker on it, modify it, but most of all drive it when you can, 'cause, like the rest of us, it probably gets stiff joints if it sits in one place too long and loves to feel the wind in its' hair.

Peace gn

Theron, Delete this thread lest our insurers see the mileage speedster drivers pile on while ignoring their mileage limitations.

P.S. Guys and Gals, Don't forget to attach that little rewind motor to your speedometer cable before you go to bed.

Tongue (not so firmly) in cheek.

Hey David,
Many folks are attracted to the Porsche marque (and other brands with similar zeel I'm certain)and they do a dance with ownership and as was said earlier, sometimes it is thing of beauty and sometimes, well ballet shoes are meant to fit everybody...(although Vince makes an interesting study with his unbuttoned shirt while doing a piroette at the gas pumps)

You get into this replicar arena and you get practicality with penache' and you can dance the night away. There are lots of cars to choose from, you can equip them anyway way you want for pennies on the true Porsche-dollar, and then, based on your insurance policy, weather permitting in some areas of the country, drive all year round.

My daily commute is a realtively short hop so I have to look for adventure in a hurry and often run past my offramp engaged in such Tomm Foolery. On the flip side, my car had just been refit with a bunch of stuff, completed on a Wednesday and headed for SoCal early the next morning...I traveled in good supportive company and when I should have lost me temper over little glitches, cooler heads prevailed and we patched the car up and those road warriors had me back in line, arriving on time.

My significant other sees little value in what I drive, other than the joy those cars bring me. She hopes that someday I'll get a 'normal' car (and truck)... and as her son plops down four hundred large to get his Honda fixed, I quietly think, "ahh, no radiator for me..." and I remembered when the 5 gallon rose bush couldn't stand up in the Subie,oh, the agony... So when I was running pick-em-up errands for the Board of Realtors, yeah I put a newspaper on the seat of my speedie before I picked up all the flowers for that night's function.

Hey Donnely, if you see a little black dot in your mirror down 680 and it comes up behind you in a heart-beat, and has some 2x4's and a ladder sticking out the passenger side, could be me!

Gotta drive, don't gotta make sense!

Gordon,
I have the utmost respect for someone who "builds their own"
I have no talent in that arena.....I do have other hobbies....
a few that I am good at, but thats another story......
If I have offended any of the guys who fit the catagory of "builder"
rather than "driver" I am sorry...........
see, I can admit it when I have been bad....

Bad Boy, Vince......now buy everbody a beer......Good Boy Vince !


Gclarke "The vacaville Guy"

Hey Vince: No Sweat! I wasn't offended, and I think you're just disappointed that you can't get more people to join your runs.

Believe me.....I tried to get a bunch of Speedsters to caravan down to Carlisle and, in the end, all we had was John Estes and us, mostly due to delays getting started and losing joiners along the way. It's hard getting people lined up for a run, no matter what you drive. All you can do is announce it, get a small handful of folks to go along, have a lot of fun and then let everyone know what they've missed so maybe they'll join you the next time (envy of someone else having a good time is a great motivator). Keep having your runs and I'm sure you'll get more people to join along the way.

So I spent the last two weeks lying on my back under my car installing my new cooler/filter/plumbing - custom mounts, stainless braided hoses and all that stuff. FINALLY got the damn thing done this afternoon (and a good thing, too, cuz we're supposed to be driving to Central Massachusetts tomorrow for the Hebert's VolksVair show). OK, so it's not all THAT far, but it's out of state for us and we have to go over two bridges (an inside Rhode Island joke) - of course, we have to drive out of the state just to get groceries, here, but that's a different story!!

I gotta tell you, though, when I took it out for a test ride a few minutes ago (thankfully, nothing leaks) riding around town was one hell of a lot more fun than pulling wrenches for a change!! That's enough wrenching for this Summer.......now I get to drive it more often!

Peace, Gordon
One of the few Speedster guys from Rhode Island

Gordon what temp are you running now and did you do the 356 pulley conversion yet? I plan to do it when I slow down a little in the fall. My goal is to have the oil cooler doing only occasional work and have a 356 pulley taking care of my cylinders. That way even if I have to do emergency repairs and bypass the oil cooler I still won't overheat. Anyway thats the goal.......we will soon see.

I installed an On/Off switch to bypass the electical thermo switch so that if the thermostat goes bad I can force it on and in the winter I can turn if off if needed. I tried turning off my oil cooler just to see what would happen and I was limited to about 60mph on the interstate or it would creep up over 220. I'm once again convinced that I needed that oil cooler!!!!

Man, this weird pre ice age weather pattern we have going on in Oklahoma is great for aircooled cars. I mean we haven't topped 90 in a week or two when our norm is in the mid to high 90s to 100s. Had to drive to Tulsa today (130 miles one way on old 66). Left at 7 am with the temp 68 and a light to variable breeze (wind check!) and opened up on the section of open freeway and it was like the car wasn't singing and happy unless it was holding 4500 RPMs.... so I obliged, turned off the CD and just got into the drive. I mean I slapped her ass on both sides, bit an ear and brought her out of the chutes hauling ass and stayed in that mode all the way to my desitination... seemed like I just did a James Dean all the way into the next urban area..... and at my destination all the lights were green and I just wailed past all reasonable inner whoas and brought her into the drive of my destination still in that mode. Shut her down and left her wet.

Left at 7 pm and took the pike all the way.... not one car passed me and it's a hauling ass I-44 pike... ended up leading a line of law breakers at 4200-4500 and swept the pike without even a cautionary slow down for strange lights in the mirror.

This weather just makes these babies cry to be thrashed.

Jim
(Taking dates ($5 each) on when I finally blow this 1776)

Jim...you are the man............

Gordon, you bet I'm disappointed, everyone raves about their cars
and I have a hard time getting more than half a dozen to go a
few hundred miles.....in the L.A. market thats bad......

Vince,

Not that unusual in La La land in my experience. The Studebaker club has had 3 National meets in California, 2 in Long Beach on the Queen Mary and one in Sacramento. In 25 years of going to the meets that move around each year, the California Meets are the poorest attended of any. Everyone couldn't wait to get the rust free goodies from the swap area, what a bummer. Almost no parts and the suposedly pristine California cars everyone was expecting, forget it. Worst selection of Studebakers anyone has ever seen. Nobody can explain why but I think because you guys with 365 days of mostly great weather have many other interests that compete with club activities. Those from the colder climates mark their calendars months in advance for the National meets and start working on their cars and making lists of items to either sell or buy at the swap meet. Just my thoughts but maybe this is why you are having problems attracting cars for a tour.

Then again I bet they are saving all their energies for the next Replicar Reunion at Knotts in 05!

Bruce, the Oregon October Tourmaster, come on up Vince!

Bruce,
there is a ghia on ebay that I am thinking of bidding on....
its in medford.....I was in medford 6 months ago to pick up
my other ghia....seems like the area has a lot of them....
if I am ever in the area I will certinally look you up....
thats a threat.....

What Alan said OR Just buy a new speedo, problem solved.....

He who has a need to drive many miles and wishes said trip to remain unknown to "Your in Good Hands", parents and or older siblings ...should you recall those days of "joy ride borrowing" reaches under dash and fondles the almighty old fashion threaded clock cable, then fondles said cable upon return ...this keeps one in compliance with this and that.

I've heard that ........somewhere.

VINCE!!!!!

Finally got that damn oil cooler finished and could DRIVE it!

I found that driving it is one hell of a lot more enjoyable than lying on the garage floor in 90 degree heat working on it.

Made it to the Hebert's VolksVair show, met "Boston" Bob Elliot (NICE Black Classic Speedster) and got to park next to the only Fiberfab Valkyrie I've ever seen on the street!! Nicely done, too.

Wasn't pushing it as much as Jim-Bob, but you can't run those kinds of speeds almost anywhere in Southern New England anymore. Still, I was running a nice 3500 rpm up and 3750 back (a little over an hour one way and through Providence traffic on I-95) with occasional bursts to over 4200 to blast around traffic (always a fun pastime and very surprising to the trafficistas). Only saw one RI State Cop, who gave me a nice wave :>)

Someone (Steve?) asked how the cooler is doing - first, a little background.....I have a full, stock German set of 1971 shrouds with the larger doghouse and stock, bigger cooler (also German). When I used to make a turnpike run at today's outside temp it would creep up in oil temp to around 210 - 215 or even 220, depending on the ambient temp and altitude (I live at sea level) and it took about 30 minutes to get up there.

Now, it quickly goes up to 200 (F) and sits there until I hit stop-and-go traffic and then rises to 205 and stops. Picking up speed (or revving it up for a little while) quickly brings it back down to 200 (probably from more air across the heads). Get off the turnpike and slow down and it drops to 195 or so. I'm really pleased! All that was between 3500 and 3750 rpm, outside temp was upper 70's.

I haven't gone the 356C fan pulley yet, but may this Winter (along with a Berg welded fan) just for 10% more air flow across the heads at speed. I've also made the fan thermostat fully automatic - a former designer life taught me to make anything I could automatic so the user (me) wouldn't have to know it's doing its' thing. I like that. It's really quiet, too - I had to stop the motor and turn the key back on to hear the fan running (OK, so "dual quiet packs" aren't all that quiet!)

I calculated the inner volume of the 16-pass Derale and all my hoses and came up with 38.5 cubic inches, versus about 58 cu in per quart. With spillage, it took about 3/4'ths of a quart before oil started to run out the filter mount when I pre-filled the system. I also pre-filled both sides of the filter before spinning it on (another quart), so now I have about 7 quarts between the original sump and the external lines.

So Vince! Now I have no excuse (other than that damn wind buffeting me from behind the cockpit) but to make a few longer trips. Plan on adding the top this Winter (can only do so many things at a time when you're retired) but am seriously thinking of adding one of those anti-buffet wind screens like on Boxters and TT 'verts. All they appear to be are regular window screens made up nice for the roll bars (or, if you get the high buck option on a TT, they have a glass window that rises behind the seats like a 70's Mercury). I could even do a plexiglass "window" to snap onto the back of the rollbar, but I'll try something tomorrow made of cardboard to see if it actually improves things and report back. It would be nice not to have the back of my head getting whacked all the time.

So that's it from the shores of Rhode Island, where we live in fear of crossing the bridges because we know that someone might tow the state out to sea while we're away (it's been know to happen).

Gordon
One of the Speedstah Guys from Rhode Island

Oh yeah! I did one burst of "Jim-Bob-like-speed": Got paced by this really ratty Nissan Sentra that started to be a PITA and getting too close (we've all seen these guys). Punched it up to 4500 for about a mile and never saw him again. Breathes really nice up there and I was surprised that the front end didn't seem overly-light or floaty.

david, right now my odometer is reading 98320.08 kilometers.I'm driving every day rain or shine in sunny Victoria B.C. life is good

angus is that an original motor??? How much motor work have you had to do over the years?

I don't know if it's original German quality control/parts or the fact that most speedster owners have high proformance motors, but newer motors don't seem to be lasting anywhere near as long as old, original VW aircooled motors. While going to university I drove a 1970 beetle, with a near stock 1600 (dual Kadrons, header/QP, and power pulley. I put 115,000 miles on that car/motor and the only thing I did with the motor is have the valves done at 70,000 miles. That's it...nothing else went wrong with that motor/tranny/clutch combo. I changed the oil/adjusted the valves every 3000 miles, and I also drove the car hard. So, what's up with today's motors? Junky Mexican 1776s failing before 10,000 miles?
I wonder if an understressed 1914 or 2007, with a mild cam, single valve springs, mild lift, mild porting and most importantly, quality parts could see 100,000 miles with minimum mantenance?
Ron

i'm the third owner of the car and the original motor was replaced just before i bought it.the orignal motor would of had aprox.96000 klm on it.AS ron says change the oil,The original was a stroker ,it had one burnt piston and a pulled stud otherwise not in to bad of shape its sitting in the corner of my garage waiting for money and bad weather,to much to do with the sun shineing

It's all been said but here's my two cents worth.
I've had my '78 IM Speedster since March 2003 and had it licensed for 7 months total so far. My mileage on purchase was 49000 and currently approaches 62000, an average of about 1800 miles per month.
I run a 2110 and average 26 - 27 mpg to the US gallon (33-4 mpg imperial)
It's not the most detailed, fastest or coolest one out there, but I like it. It lets in all the elements Mother Nature can throw at you, requires the maintenance already mentioned and I will only sell it when I decide to build another one to suit my taste.
Nothing can replace the memories Knotts, Parts Obsolete Campout, and many other events have given me.
Just like the VW ad says "Drivers Wanted"
See ya'll in Grants Pass Oct 1-3

Rick

Damn, I really like this site!! I gave my son my reliable jetta with 98,000 on it . You must change the oil. I probaly heard that a couple thousand times from my old man when he was alive. My son is a master mechanic for a local BMW dealer. and every 2thou I take it to him put ont rack adjust valves change the oil, check for loose bolts leaks etc. I dont have a rack, and the ccrs in my neighborhood prevent me from working on it at home. This beck is my only transpertation. I love to drive it, When I was a young man vws was a necessity low maint.,cost to run fuel, etc. I even got to the point of being able to change a motor in about an half an hour. Now that I am oldman I'm a kid again when I drive my Beck. Top Down, wind in my thinning hair. In my mind I am back in my twenties. I have a heavy foot, its been a problem for years but I can safely say that this car is a hoot to drive anywhere. I'm not to worried about engines, hell, how many were built over the span of a couple of decades, millions. The thing is driving, everytime I get into my Beck, I always take the long way. Again I like this site.

Ray,

I read you loud and clear, this coming from another "old Man". I also feel my JPS keeps me young at heart. Nothing better than at a moments notice to hop in the car and head up into the foothills and mountains for some R&R.

Bruce

Ray, I think you've captured why a lot of us "old guys" own these cars - they make us feel young again (at least until we get the pains of trying to get out of 'em - lol) They're really cool little cars and you wait all Winter for the nice weather to get out there in the Speedster again. Life is good........