Leg problem, are automatics avaliable?

Hello everyone
I am new here so please bear with me. I am very interested in the speedster but notice that most if not all of them are manuals. Do any replicas come in automatics? I have had a leg and ankle issue on my left leg since childhood and it does not allow me to drive stick shift. (clutch etc), Do I have any options in buying a speedster?

Any help you can provide will be appreciated,
Thank you
Shawn

Specialty Auto Works, who make Subie powered speedsters, can give you an automatic.

I think Barry Hudson has an automatic doesn't he?

Think Barry has automatic from an Audi - the old stick shift automatic beetle could be used too. Although individual parts are hard to come by - Vdubbers still prefer the traditional 4 spd over them and often rip the semi-autos out and junk them. For some reason a VW T1 with the automatic is far less desirable and hence much cheaper. My guess is an automatic VW 411/412 with its TIV engine could also be used.

If I am not mistaken, Barry has a type 3 automatic in his speedster. The type 3 is fully automatic and not like the type 1 semi-automatic. The type 1 is a nice set-up but most people do not fully understand how they work so they avoid them or change them over. I have had about 4 different semi-automatics and have loved everyone of them. If I can find a good deal on another one, it will become a speedster also.

Yup Auto-sticks are 'da bomb...when they work correctly, they're a blast to drive ....keep your hand .....Off the shifter though:)
A VW bus has fully automatic tranny's too.

Intermeccanica has built a few automatics, I seem to remember something about Borg Warner (?) sorry I don't know much more than that. I do think that at least one of the owners is registered on this forum.

Steven O'Brien has an automatic in his Subaru powered speedster.

Wow
Thanks for all the responses.
So I guess the SAW scooby roadsters are the best bet for an automatic. I emailed CSW but they didnt get back to me yet. On paper it looks super good but without any pictures its hard to tell.

Thanks again I will look more into CSW,
Shawn

I have been thinking of building an an auto for my wife. Will the various VW auto/semi auto boxes, or type 4 engine c/w auto bolt right into the type 1 frame?

Does the Audi box need an adapter plate and special mounts?

Will a Suby engine c/w 2WD auto box fit into the type 1 frame. Presumably special mounts will need to be fabricated, but how about drive shaft alignment and overall size.
This is likely the preferred option, but I must retain the Beetle VIN rear frame section so mid mount is out.

Robert

Somebody needs to jump off this deep end -
Go paddle shift.
angela

I've got really mixed feelings about paddle shifts. What happens when you cross up your hands on a really busy curved road? How do you "find" the shift paddle?

Similar issue: Got another vehicle with the highbeam switch on a column mounted stalk. Going up a really curvy road to my house at night, you canot "find" the dumb-ass high-beam switch when you meet an oncoming car. The old style floor buton was much better. OK, this vehicle does have an auto trans which frees up my left foot.

On the other hand, I've driven both the VW and the Audi with auto-manual DSG (clutch, but no clutch petal, no torque convertor either) and it's fantastic.

I believe you should check with Carey Hines at Special Edition. My understanding is they will have an automatic availble in the watercooled mini-cooper powered speedster they are working on.

Yelp It's a automatic and Im busy right now doing the final prep to put one in my superbeetle. Another low milage freshly rebuilt tranny. i have 2 spares but one is a bus tranny witha diffrent valve body and govener.

I am still looking for another low milage spare. I have stock piles rebuild parts enough to build 4 more just in case. I have 53ooo now on the D and its just fine. but I don't like reving up often. I take my time with it.
The automatic makes the car very comfortable to drive.
If your just like puttering around.
It is not ideal for road course driving. But i have seen one in a draggster. with no complaints from the owner.

My super is a autostick and I just don't like it nearly as well as the automatic. It's perfect for stop and go traffic.

Henry says he added about $2,700 to a build when he adds a Automatic. and that was 4 years ago.

Warning the stock fork frame wont let you install one they have to be severly monified.
But into a IM is a bolt on. a taller tire near 26 inches is needed to help keep the revs down If your shopping try to find a 411 sedan so equiped it may have a better rear end gear Like a 3.41

Im running 195-65s rear and I wish I had room for a taller tire like a 205. otherwise you realy need a 3.41 gear and T-4 to get it down the road the way it should.

I forgot to tell you that my new conversion is a bolt on kit made from 1/2 inch steel plate stock.

But you still have to cut away a big part of the factory fork to make room for the new tranny.

I mounted the wide forks one at a time with the car still in service didn't pull the engine or tranny.They extend forward up the sides of the tunnel as far as they can and are bolted in then welded.

The bolts are a pain you have be very careful not to drill into the fuel line / E-brake / heater or throttle cables. I drilled small test holes before hand.

When we pull the engine and auto stick, I will finish up the trimming and welding the inside area behind the tranny. to clearance it for the longer Automatic tranny. and Add my new zero clearance mount kit.

I have made patterns of every peace.

I have owned an IM Conv D with automatic shift since 1998. I believe it has a 1972 VW van shift box. Thus far, I have had no problems with it.

Here is the shifter before and after I had a new cover made.

Dale is right; Intermec offers a Borg Warner auto unit.

Charles what size tire did Henry put on your car. I want to recheck my research to be sure it's correct My car has a 3.61 gear with a 195/65 tire

If I had a 205/65 on it the calulater puts it dead on the money at 28oo rpms at 60 mph. which is just about perfect for a stock 2 liter.

If I built a T-1 up to 2.O spec.s with a longer stoke between 70 to 76 it should make the care quite lively. my problem now wanting as little aditonal oil cooling stuff on it as possible.

Bare in mind Im saying yes to Nickies. Maybe split heads with some ceramic coating inside, that means twin injection OR,,,if I have to even the new water cooled heads that Im kind a reluctant to get into.

I have Michelin 195/60R15 all around. These are the tires that IM put on the car.

Thank you sir. That suprized me a little..

I had to go back and look at you car again. to see the rear tire clearance. Im guessing your tire radious is around 25 inches. That is better.

By the way nice car,I always like red


Dale and Recardo All the t3 and t4 automatics are VW/Audi 003 units And Yes they were all made by Borg Warner for Vw and Audi from 1969 to 1976 I stil don't know which Audi model used it.

T 4 versions have slighty diferent goveners and valve bodys ,and ring & pinions that can be tweeked with a Ford cruisomatic shift kit.

Everything else is the same. So a mild T-4 could be made to chirp the tires with it.

To do it right however you need the car on a dyno while taking preasure reading and speed reading while adjusting the shift points there are 3 adjusters on the case. and the Bentely manual tells you most of it the rest wold Have to be trial and error. as long as you don't exceed the recemended preasue ranges they can be tweeked a bunch.