A new to be owner trying to shop for a 356. Do I buy new, used, Which maker, Beck, Vintage etc. Any help would be appreciated. bshipmandmd@earthlink.net
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A new to be owner trying to shop for a 356. Do I buy new, used, Which maker, Beck, Vintage etc. Any help would be appreciated. bshipmandmd@earthlink.net
Barry, there are as many answers to your questions as there are Speedster owners. The best advice is to meet up with as many such owners as you can, and attend a show like Carlisle (last weekend) or Knotts (April) to check out a lot of them side by side. Without starting a holy war I'll try to point you in the direction of some answers.
- New or used?: this depends on you budget, luck, and desires. Most folks will say your first should be a used one so that you can decide what you want - and don't want - in your next one. There are usually several used Speedsters out there at reasonable prices.
- Which brand?: Now there is where the holy wars often start. Everyone tends to like the one they have. I'm partial to Becks because I just got one. I like their frame design, room, and dealing with the Hines family. I also think John Steele (JPS) puts a level of fit and finish on his cars that is second to none. Henry Reisner at Intermeccanica creates beautiful machines from both engineering and esthetic perspectives, but they are a bit pricey. Vintage produces wonderful cars in a volume that makes them the most common out there. CMC/Streetbeasts tend to be projects. It takes a real craftsman (like Alan Merklin) to make them into wonderful cars, but it can be done. Specialty Autoworks produces wonderful recreations of Speedsters and Cabriolets with modern Subaru power (mid-mounted), water cooling, and nearly painless ownership.
Some things to consider:
1. How tall are you? Some have more room than others.
2. Do you want to tinker, or just drive?
3. How much do you want to spend?
4. What's your time frame?
Researching is half the fun. Enjoy.
- New or used?: this depends on you budget, luck, and desires. Most folks will say your first should be a used one so that you can decide what you want - and don't want - in your next one. There are usually several used Speedsters out there at reasonable prices.
- Which brand?: Now there is where the holy wars often start. Everyone tends to like the one they have. I'm partial to Becks because I just got one. I like their frame design, room, and dealing with the Hines family. I also think John Steele (JPS) puts a level of fit and finish on his cars that is second to none. Henry Reisner at Intermeccanica creates beautiful machines from both engineering and esthetic perspectives, but they are a bit pricey. Vintage produces wonderful cars in a volume that makes them the most common out there. CMC/Streetbeasts tend to be projects. It takes a real craftsman (like Alan Merklin) to make them into wonderful cars, but it can be done. Specialty Autoworks produces wonderful recreations of Speedsters and Cabriolets with modern Subaru power (mid-mounted), water cooling, and nearly painless ownership.
Some things to consider:
1. How tall are you? Some have more room than others.
2. Do you want to tinker, or just drive?
3. How much do you want to spend?
4. What's your time frame?
Researching is half the fun. Enjoy.
Check some of the stickies on the Newbies area and you'll find lots of info.
The "from which builder should I buy" question has come up many times. Posed here - it's a difficult one to get answered objectively. Those who already own a Replica Speedster might have an understandable bias toward the manufacturer who built their car - self-validation, and all that.
However, there are some general "givens" that I think most all of us would agree upon. At the risk of bringing down a thousand "flames," I'll try to list a few (as I see them).
Intermeccanica builds the best replicars. Period. They may be more expensive than the rest, but they are "automobiles," not kitcars and the difference in quality is justifiably reflected in the price tag.
Beck and Thunder Ranch are building their replicas on tube chassis (as opposed to shortened VW pans). This is widely acknowledged as a stronger basis on which to build a car. Each of these companies is worth investigating by contacting their customers through the directory on this website.
Specialty Auto Works (SAW) is building Subaru (water-cooled) powered Speedsters and Roadsters. Their extremely long build-times are an impediment to many, but their modern engine technology application is a lure to those who don't wish to mess with VW AC engines and all that they entail.
JPS Motorsports (who built two cars for me) and Vintage Speedsters are the original kitcar manufacturers. Vintage is a high-volume shop, able to turn out a brand new basic Speedster within two weeks. JPS is generally more detail oriented and will custom-build to a customer's specs, but the process will take longer than VS.
There are additional builders, but those are the major players. Most of the other folks marketing Speedster Replicas are simply reselling cars from existing builders (almost always Vintage Speedsters, but some others, too).
Here are a few questions worth answering before you buy a replica:
Is authenticity important to you? Do you want your car to replicate a German-built Speedster as much as possible? Or is that not a concern?
Is performance a consideration? Do you want your car to be faster than a 70-HP VW engine? (By the way, it doesn't necessarily need to be.)
How important are the details, like "fit & finish?" Generally, some builders are much better at the little things than others. If you don't notice these things, then why pay for them?
Finally, and probably most importantly, do you want a new car, or could you be happy with a low-mileage used car? Buying used is not only less expensive, it's a safer way to introduce yourself to the hobby. Should you become smitten with replicas, like most of the folks here, you can always have a "dream car" designed and built to your specs later, selling your starter car to someone else coming up the food chain.
Learn all you can about these cars. Try to see examples from each builder if you can. But, at the very least, contact some owners via e-mail and get the direct answers to your specific questions before you write the check. Visit all the builders' websites. They're linked on the "Makers" tab on this site.
(The opinions stated above are mine and may not represent anyone else's on this website, but I've tried to be as objective as possible - that's the disclaimer.)
Good luck.
However, there are some general "givens" that I think most all of us would agree upon. At the risk of bringing down a thousand "flames," I'll try to list a few (as I see them).
Intermeccanica builds the best replicars. Period. They may be more expensive than the rest, but they are "automobiles," not kitcars and the difference in quality is justifiably reflected in the price tag.
Beck and Thunder Ranch are building their replicas on tube chassis (as opposed to shortened VW pans). This is widely acknowledged as a stronger basis on which to build a car. Each of these companies is worth investigating by contacting their customers through the directory on this website.
Specialty Auto Works (SAW) is building Subaru (water-cooled) powered Speedsters and Roadsters. Their extremely long build-times are an impediment to many, but their modern engine technology application is a lure to those who don't wish to mess with VW AC engines and all that they entail.
JPS Motorsports (who built two cars for me) and Vintage Speedsters are the original kitcar manufacturers. Vintage is a high-volume shop, able to turn out a brand new basic Speedster within two weeks. JPS is generally more detail oriented and will custom-build to a customer's specs, but the process will take longer than VS.
There are additional builders, but those are the major players. Most of the other folks marketing Speedster Replicas are simply reselling cars from existing builders (almost always Vintage Speedsters, but some others, too).
Here are a few questions worth answering before you buy a replica:
Is authenticity important to you? Do you want your car to replicate a German-built Speedster as much as possible? Or is that not a concern?
Is performance a consideration? Do you want your car to be faster than a 70-HP VW engine? (By the way, it doesn't necessarily need to be.)
How important are the details, like "fit & finish?" Generally, some builders are much better at the little things than others. If you don't notice these things, then why pay for them?
Finally, and probably most importantly, do you want a new car, or could you be happy with a low-mileage used car? Buying used is not only less expensive, it's a safer way to introduce yourself to the hobby. Should you become smitten with replicas, like most of the folks here, you can always have a "dream car" designed and built to your specs later, selling your starter car to someone else coming up the food chain.
Learn all you can about these cars. Try to see examples from each builder if you can. But, at the very least, contact some owners via e-mail and get the direct answers to your specific questions before you write the check. Visit all the builders' websites. They're linked on the "Makers" tab on this site.
(The opinions stated above are mine and may not represent anyone else's on this website, but I've tried to be as objective as possible - that's the disclaimer.)
Good luck.
Ahhh... John, Lane - cool heads. Beautifully, impartially, helpfully stated, both of you...
Barry, we're in the same boat. I recommend lounging around this site for a good while, reading many posts (especially in the Newbies section) and letting yourself soak in it. Believe me. Now that you've been bitten, the swelling won't go down. You have lots of time to make the right choice for you, and these folks all love to help.
Barry, we're in the same boat. I recommend lounging around this site for a good while, reading many posts (especially in the Newbies section) and letting yourself soak in it. Believe me. Now that you've been bitten, the swelling won't go down. You have lots of time to make the right choice for you, and these folks all love to help.
John and Lane,
When I have a few minutes I would like to copy your posts and add them to a permanent locked thread in the newbie section. Well Done!
-=theron
When I have a few minutes I would like to copy your posts and add them to a permanent locked thread in the newbie section. Well Done!
-=theron
I want to thank John, Lane and Theron for their responses. I can't get as good a response from my accountant. As far as my desires. I am 6"3" and want to be comfortable. I do not need to tinker and what I want is a good driver, which will start everyday and run, run, run.
I am not overly concerned about cost, but just want a car that is worth the $$$$. I do not need a perfect replica, but would like a clean usable car at a reasonable price.
Thanks for all the information. I hope that I can continue to pick your brains as I decide. As soon as I buy, I will join the club and become a donating member.
I am not overly concerned about cost, but just want a car that is worth the $$$$. I do not need a perfect replica, but would like a clean usable car at a reasonable price.
Thanks for all the information. I hope that I can continue to pick your brains as I decide. As soon as I buy, I will join the club and become a donating member.
Just to add a tiny bit to John's detail, I believe both Intermeccanica and SAW used custom chasis for their cars as well, not shortened VW pans. In fact in both cases the bulk of what is under the skin is brand new.
-Jeff
-Jeff