Kit

Depends.  You want a turn key vehicle or a "roller" or a DIY kit.  How much you planning on spending?

Beck SE is closest to NY.  Other's are west coast/AZ/BC.

@WOLFGANG posted:

Depends.  You want a turn key vehicle or a "roller" or a DIY kit.  How much you planning on spending?

Beck SE is closest to NY.  Other's are west coast/AZ/BC.

Vintage Motorcars has a dealer in Florida, Cloud9.

Special Edition is real close to you and might be worth the day's drive to go down there and tour the place.

The Beck./Special Edition Speedster is the way to go if you have the budget and time to wait for the car to be built. Vintage Motorcar is the next in my opinion but you can't compare the two cars because they are not apples to apples other than outward appearance. You could buy a good used Speedster first to make sure that this is the car for you. If you buy it right you won't loose any money if you sell it please remember this is all IMHO.

I agree strongly with Jimmy in regard to finding a good used one and be sure it's what you wanted.  Some guys here have had more than one speedster and traded up or modified as the madness grew.

You should try to be informed as to the motor vehicle laws in your state because not all hand built cars can be legally registered in all states. It sometimes depends on how it's titled.  Vehicle ID number or year of manufacture can make a big difference in some states.   Good luck and happy hunting.

Ty guys. Good advice.  A beaut just sold on BAT for 32.5 check it out. Always afraid of a shoddy build. Im told a medium build at VM runs 40 to 45 correct? A beck is much more expensive? What makes it better?

BTW no building 4 me. Turnkey.

@Pinny Loketch posted:

Ty guys. Good advice.  A beaut just sold on BAT for 32.5 check it out. Always afraid of a shoddy build. Im told a medium build at VM runs 40 to 45 correct? A beck is much more expensive? What makes it better?

I haven't compared A-B so I don't know for sure, but I suspect you're comparing a pan-based VM with a tube frame Beck. Afaik, both manufacturers make both types, but pan-based cars are cheaper because the frames are built and they use mostly VW components.

@Pinny Loketch posted:

Ty guys. Good advice.  A beaut just sold on BAT for 32.5 check it out. Always afraid of a shoddy build. Im told a medium build at VM runs 40 to 45 correct? A beck is much more expensive? What makes it better?

@Troy Sloan has used Speedsters available and he may have something in stock. Well sorted and fairly priced.

That price you quoted for a Vintage Motorcars Speedster sounded like their Subaru model. Should be mid-thirties for an air-cooled but the only way to know would be to reach out to them.

@dlearl476 posted:

I haven't compared A-B so I don't know for sure, but I suspect you're comparing a pan-based VM with a tube frame Beck. Afaik, both manufacturers make both types, but pan-based cars are cheaper because the frames are built and they use mostly VW components.

Beck ONLY makes a tube frame for ALL their cars. At this time, Vintage only makes the Speedster and coupe on a pan base. Their Spyder has always been tube frame.

Being in NY you may want to look also at those with windup windows (and a taller windshield and top).  Look at early IM Convertible D.

@DannyP posted:

Beck ONLY makes a tube frame for ALL their cars. At this time, Vintage only makes the Speedster and coupe on a pan base. Their Spyder has always been tube frame.

Thanks, Danny. I wasn't sure. Explains the cost difference.

You guys are great, ty. Last question (maybe) isn't a new frame better then a used vw one?

Btw. Jds uses only  ew frames too. Is that not the better option??

JPS?

The VW frames are reconditioned.  A VW pan with a VIN (chassis number) can often be registered as an antique and is exempt from smog testing requirements.  A new tube chassis is often registered as the year of the actual build and can require special construction registration.  It can be a chore to register in some states and particularly other countries.  A VW pan has pretty much known inexpensive, replaceable VW parts and upgrade paths.  A tube chassis has a variety of parts used and is often a more modern suspension than the VW 40+ year old design.

Quite a bit of difference in old vs new Beck chassis (and even through the years of my old chassis itself).

Current production Beck Speedster chassis: powdercoated 2x4 box tube frame with 1x2 crossmembers, 1x2 double reinforced tunnel and 2x2 reinforced frame horns, OEM torsion housing and rear shock tower with optional VW donor VIN available if needed,  dual a-arm front suspension, adjustable coil over shocks, rack and pinion steering, IRS rear suspension with adjustable coil over shocks.  Not to mention a laundry list of high end standard features such as:  TUV/IVA approved steering column, under dash umbrella parking brake, 4 wheel disc brakes with QUALITY pads (Hawk/Bosch), genuine German wool restoration carpets, cocomat floormats, German Haartz cloth top, Katzkin leather, and the most authentic trim /finishes possible.  Set up for aircooled VW or Porsche or watercooled Subaru engines, with VW 4 speed, Porsche 5 speed or Subaru 5 speed transmissions. The downside is I have over 80 cars sold at this time and I can only build about 40 a year.

Old Beck Speedster chassis: epoxy painted 3" DOM round tube with integrated VW suspension, rear swingaxle only.  I made a TON of changes over the 15 year production run of this particular chassis and build.  You can really see the major differences in a 2003 car vs a 2018 car, and there are 100 other changes you cannot see.  It was/is a great chassis, but is antiquated at this point.

"JPS" tube chassis (and a few others I've seen advertised recently) are a copy of our early 2000s chassis out of Brazil.  I cannot speak on the final assembly quality, but I do know that a lot of the changes/improvements that I made are not present.