Looking to see if a Speedster is a good choice for me

Get EV West to build you a modified VS wide body roller into a supercar. 1 gear. Instant torque. Tesla acceleration.

If money was no object, I'd throw a body on this F1-inspired electric drivetrain:

https://www.williamsf1.com/adv...lectric-car-platform

Your wife will be happy, but you'll need a larger trophy case.

Yes you can shoehorn a 6 cylinder Porsche motor into a Speedster but the only one doing it is in Canada at Intermeccanica.

I've only seen one automatic.

Contact Beck: Special Edition http://www.beckspeedster.com  @chines1 or  @VSpyder Greg at Vintage Motorcars https://www.vintagemotorcarsinc.com and they can tell you some options. Subarus are getting put into these things and those motors are pushing 300 hp in an 1800lb car.

Where are you located?  Automatic?!  Time for a new wife! ;-)

Ryan in NorCal posted:

Get EV West to build you a modified VS wide body roller into a supercar. 1 gear. Instant torque. Tesla acceleration.

If money was no object, I'd throw a body on this F1-inspired electric drivetrain:

https://www.williamsf1.com/adv...lectric-car-platform

Your wife will be happy, but you'll need a larger trophy case.

Nice idea, it would be crazy fast, but I like the sound of a performance exhaust note too much to go electric.

Tom Blankinship posted:

Where are you located?  Automatic?!  Time for a new wife! ;-)

Ha Ha! Getting a new wife will cost me much more than swapping out a transmission. It's cheaper to keep her and deal with an automatic! Plus I love this one. I just need to get her to row gears!

Easy SOLUTION - 2019 Mazda Miata MX-5 with Bilstein stocks and Brembo brakes.  181 Hp with 6 speed paddle shifter Automatic.  0-60 in ~6 seconds (some say 5.9 others 6.1). Pick standard soft top (ST) or retractible fastback (RF). 

On a Speedster, an AT with that much HP would be quite unusual.  You are talking a costly custom build.

My advice to all newcomers is always the same: if anything else will do, do yourself and your potential retirement a huge favor and buy something else.

If nothing else will do: you'll need to bend to the car, because getting the car to bend to you is very difficult and expensive. Sometimes, ever if you throw wads of time and money at it, you'll still fall on your face. 

Replicating the feel and performance of an original is not that hard, because the original rode on skinny biased-ply tires, had drum brakes, and made less than 90 hp. Getting the car to be something more than that means taking it someplace it really doesn't want to go. Is it possible? For sure. Is it easy? Not really. Is it cheap? Let's just say that getting to an honest 180- 200 hp costs way more than $10,000. The Subi guys will tell you how inexpensive their platform is, then drop $20K on a complete conversion. You'd really like Marty Grzxwtrnvxwtzwyxtvnzwych's WRX powerplant. Ask him how much he's got in his setup sometime. 

It's insane, and we welcome people to the madness because a lot of us really are pretty crazy when it comes to trying to drag this platform kicking and screaming into the modern age. 

So, to the point: yes, you can autocross the car, but you'll hate yourself for it. Can you have an automatic? Yes, but the compromises and limits that will come with it are many. Can you do both? I suppose anything is possible, but I can't see anything good coming from it. The automatic would be from a Type 3, and would be as rare as shards of the true cross, cost about as much, and would behave like the 60 year old design (it is)-- think "Turbo 350", rather than a modern 9 speed paddle-shifting automatic. I guess a Subaru automatic could happen-- if you want a mid-engine car. A reverse cut R/P doesn't exist for the Subaru automatic (that I know of).

In short, given your particular parameters-- I'd suggest you buy nice used MX5 Miata, take it to somebody for a Ford small block conversion. Put a nice, modern automatic in it, and tick all the boxes you have.

If you're still jonesing for a speedster, buy a nice used 1776 4-speed VS to be a weekend cruiser. It shouldn't be hard to find one.

Lenny, a Speedster isn't a good choice for anyone.

We all know this, but most of us can't help ourselves.

We buy them, anyway.

As with other recreational drugs, we tell ourselves that we're different - we can handle it. No car is going to take control of OUR life.

But it's a downward slope. The first sign may be lingering in the garage a little too long. One last peek out there before turning in for the night. Just to make sure 'everything's OK'. Sounds innocent enough, right?

Then you'll find yourself looking through online parts catalogs for stuff the car doesn't even need. Maybe those billet air cleaner covers might look nice. But then, the ones from overseas are EXACT copies of the real things - for just a few hundred more! How could you not get those? Somehow, you'll find a way to pay for them without the wife finding out.

Before you know it, it's too late. There is no turning back.

Planning on buying a Corvette, were you? You're used to driving cars with 400-600 horsepower? And Speedsters being light, shouldn't need much power, right? Well, just a little more than stock, maybe. That should be more than you'll ever need, right?

Lenny, don't do it.

There's no such thing as just a small crack cocaine habit.

WOLFGANG posted:

Easy SOLUTION - 2019 Mazda Miata MX-5 with Bilstein stocks and Brembo brakes.  181 Hp with 6 speed paddle shifter Automatic.  0-60 in ~6 seconds (some say 5.9 others 6.1). Pick standard soft top (ST) or retractible fastback (RF). 

On a Speedster, an AT with that much HP would be quite unusual.  You are talking a costly custom build.

The Miata's are the most popular car for autocross. I want something unique. Something I can bring to cars and coffee and race. 

A wide body Speedster on a VW frame is the wrong car for autocross.   It’s way over tire’ed for the 50 plus year old suspension design.   My first car was a VS widebody.  Henry at Intermecanica can build you a WideBody Speedster with a Porsche Suspension with all the power you need, but be prepared to spend tall dollars.   It’s worth every penny but it’s not for everybody.  Drive a bunch of cars to see what fits your needs and budget.  These are not your every day car for most people.  

Sacto Mitch posted:

 

Lenny, a Speedster isn't a good choice for anyone.

We all know this, but most of us can't help ourselves.

We buy them, anyway.

As with other recreational drugs, we tell ourselves that we're different - we can handle it. No car is going to take control of OUR life.

But it's a downward slope. The first sign may be lingering in the garage a little too long. One last peek out there before turning in for the night. Just to make sure 'everything's OK'. Sounds innocent enough, right?

Then you'll find yourself looking through online parts catalogs for stuff the car doesn't even need. Maybe those billet air cleaner covers might look nice. But then, the ones from overseas are EXACT copies of the real things - for just a few hundred more! How could you not get those? Somehow, you'll find a way to pay for them without the wife finding out.

Before you know it, it's too late. There is no turning back.

Planning on buying a Corvette, were you? You're used to driving cars with 400-600 horsepower? And Speedsters being light, shouldn't need much power, right? Well, just a little more than stock, maybe. That should be more than you'll ever need, right?

Lenny, don't do it.

There's no such thing as just a small crack cocaine habit.

 

 

Ha ha, you guys telling me I should not get a speedster is MAKING ME WANT ONE EVEN MORE!

I know I will end up putting way more into the car then what it will be worth. I have been down this slippery slope before with my other "projects".  I hope to pick up someone else's Speedster that has done just that and make a few engine/tranny changes.

The outlay will be less than a C2 Corvette. (That's how I am justifying this choice)

BUT, nothing gives me more satisfaction and relaxation than wrenching on a project.

The fact that I can learn about VW/Porshe drivetrain has me intrigued as well.

A spyder would be a better choice for autocross.    That said, it’s only another few weeks before a lot of us get our tubs out of storage

Marty Grzynkowicz posted:

A spyder would be a better choice for autocross.    That said, it’s only another few weeks before a lot of us get our tubs out of storage

 

I agree. However, from what I read the drivability of a spyder is uncomfortable. If I want to take a few hours drive to upstate New York, I want to enjoy the experience.

Thanks for the video! She sounds nice! What's under the hood?

Spyder - YES.  There is one here that is very reasonably priced ($18k) with a 32 valve Northstar V8 engine and automatic transmission.  Perfect match.  Many have tuned the Northstar to over 500 hp.

 https://www.speedsterowners.co...star-spyder-for-sale

Subaru Turbo.  Water to air inter-cooled.  Porsche suspension, Porsche 5 Speed.  

Lenny, the Corvette is probably the best performance bang for the buck in the history of western civilization.

Initial outlay for a Speedster might at first appear to be less, but if you're after that kick in the pants you're used to, there's no way a Speedster will cost less in the end.

Speedsters can be a huge amount of fun, and can also be made to be fast (I'm told), but for most of us, the fun isn't derived from quick lap times. Or, any lap times, actually.

There's a very good reason why Miatas are very popular for autocross. And yes, you CAN race a Speedster on a beer budget.

You just won't win.

Marty Grzynkowicz posted:

A wide body Speedster on a VW frame is the wrong car for autocross.   It’s way over tire’ed for the 50 plus year old suspension design.   My first car was a VS widebody.  Henry at Intermecanica can build you a WideBody Speedster with a Porsche Suspension with all the power you need, but be prepared to spend tall dollars.   It’s worth every penny but it’s not for everybody.  Drive a bunch of cars to see what fits your needs and budget.  These are not your every day car for most people.  

That's disappointing to hear.

Sacto Mitch posted:

 Lenny, the Corvette is probably the best performance bang for the buck in the history of western civilization.

Initial outlay for a Speedster might at first appear to be less, but if you're after that kick in the pants you're used to, there's no way a Speedster will cost less in the end.

Speedsters can be a huge amount of fun, and can also be made to be fast (I'm told), but for most of us, the fun isn't derived from quick lap times. Or, any lap times, actually.

There's a very good reason why Miatas are very popular for autocross. And yes, you CAN race a Speedster on a beer budget.

You just won't win.

A-freaking-men. PREACH, brother Mitch!

All kidding aside, these are fair weather toys.  The tops are terrible, the heat is non-existent, and you have side curtains for windows.  They’re slightly safer than a motorcycle and should be driven the same way.  Don’t even think about this as a daily driver unless you live in a climate where you’d ride a motorcycle daily.

That Northstar Spyder might be just right for this guy. Good call, Greg. And at $18k asking price it's way cheaper than just about any functional wide-bod speedster he'd find. 

And on a personal note I would love to see that thing on the autoX track. Seems like a potential win all around.

LennyV posted:

Marty Grzynkowicz posted:

A wide body Speedster on a VW frame is the wrong car for autocross.   It’s way over tire’ed for the 50 plus year old suspension design.   My first car was a VS widebody.  Henry at Intermecanica can build you a WideBody Speedster with a Porsche Suspension with all the power you need, but be prepared to spend tall dollars.   It’s worth every penny but it’s not for everybody.  Drive a bunch of cars to see what fits your needs and budget.  These are not your every day car for most people.  

That's disappointing to hear.

The truth sometimes hurts, but it remains the truth.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not to their own facts.

I can imagine that Northstar dialed in spanking a Spyder down the road :~)

https://youtu.be/Exn0voVkXxc

Check out Beck’s new mid-engine Subaru chassis.  A straight Subi drivetrain (manual or auto) and 175 to 300 hp.  Available in Coupe or Speedster.  You might have to convince Carey to add the flares, but otherwise it sounds perfect.

What lane said!   

Marty Grzynkowicz posted:

A wide body Speedster on a VW frame is the wrong car for autocross.   It’s way over tire’ed for the 50 plus year old suspension design.   My first car was a VS widebody.  Henry at Intermecanica can build you a WideBody Speedster with a Porsche Suspension with all the power you need, but be prepared to spend tall dollars.   It’s worth every penny but it’s not for everybody.  Drive a bunch of cars to see what fits your needs and budget.  These are not your every day car for most people.  

To explain this even further, and to highlight why lots of this stuff is straight-up madness, consider this:

Herr Doktor Porsche had pretty much ironed out the basic design of the Volkswagen "People's Car" (for one A. Hitler) by 1934.  No small amount of the design was appropriated from a Czech company (Tatra)-- enough so that Tatra won a lawsuit against VW in 1961 for stealing the design. Think about that the next time you put the Sainted German Engineer on a pedestal of infallibility.

When Ferry Porsche started his own post-war sporting car company, he basically hot-rodded a VW (then already a 20 year old design), and bolted the parts on stupid-cool bodies made by Reutter.

The design, therefore, is not 50 years old. It's a lot closer to 80 years old. An almost unimaginable amount of things have changed in 80 years, as it pertains to vehicle design. The ("German", nee Czech) design was ingenious, but the limitations are baked in the cake.

A properly built Miata will run circles around one.

Yea, but it’s still a Miata not a rediculously cool clown car. Madness... more like a sickness. 

Joe Fortino posted:

Yea, but it’s still a Miata not a rediculously cool clown car. Madness... more like a sickness. 

Amen.

The point? If you want to autocross, just buy a Miata and set it up for the job. If you want cool, buy a Speedster and do the same.

Buying one car to do both things? Madness.

I love my little clown car from Beck and would recommend anyone thinking about getting one to see Carey.  The new chassis will put them in a new performance class.

However, I hate to see people get one of these thinking that it’s going going to be a daily driver. Comments like “automatic” and “comfortable drives up the coast” (east coast, no less), set off alarm bells.  I could be wrong.

Then, the added thought of making this a daily driver that doubles as a track car (with an automatic!), really makes me wonder.....

Well, some people are more adventurous than others.  If not for the snow, sand, and salt, my IM would be a daily driver, as appropriate.

You could buy a Starke speedster...

And the last "Solution" I'll suggest - a Speedster-Miata!  So this guy (Bueno) in Sarasota FL area buys a set of CMC wide-body mold from local SOcer 20 miles from me in NW FL.  He sits on them a couple of years.  (Like Gallo wine, ALL CMC projects have to air a bit).  FL is hot and humid so he nixes air-cooled technology -ts hot enough in August.  He buys a banged up 2nd Generation running Miata (1994). Flashes a new Speedster body and, voila, a front engine, water cooled, dependable Speedster-Miata.

The Miata is a great handling track car.  30 year  track history but with innovative improvement with every generation - now on Gen 4 called the ND.  Front engine/rear drive - water cooled so hard to think any fit with rear engine/rear drive.  4/5/6 speed manual or 6 speed AT with shift paddles. Stock hp 116 to  181 from 4 cylinders - or go to a FlyinMiata LS V8 engine conversion.

Here's the one he came up with - which he will build to spec.  There are some compromises as the Miata chassis is longer so the Speedster is longer; the twin cam front mounted engine and radiator stick up n front so hood has to be modified. The all-independent suspension with 4 wheel disk brakes has been kept as well as the light weight of the original car. 

https://www.rcnmag.com/garage/...-based-356-speedster

Bueno Designs 813-468-3372

saleens7bp@gmail.com

www.buenodesigns.com

http://www.buenodesigns.com/m356-speedster/

^ Two-bagger.

The Mazda Miata chassis and suspense has a lot of Lotus design and influence.  Here a shot of the chassis for the current Miata.

Get a Corvette....if you have any doubt about a Speedster all your doubts will be confirmed.   There is nothing practical about these toys, it is all about the joy of owning and driving one. It almost has to be a obsession to put up with it's limitations...

I liken it to riding a motorcycle in perfect weather on a low volume twisty mountain road.....I really can't even imagine one with a automatic. 

Terry Nuckels posted:

You could buy a Starke speedster...

And this^ is a winning answer. Buy a Starke Speedster or an Iconic Boxster/Speedster and Bob's your uncle.

Boxster performance with the look (almost) of a Speedster.

Stan Galat posted:

^ Two-bagger.

two bagger in the dark

A Subaru engine and automatic mounted mid engine style can be done.  Rancho Transaxles in Fullerton Ca. is predicting more of these in the future. This would fit the needs of a lot of future buyers......Bruce

If you are going to build your own, I have Speedster bodies with a good subframe that you can adapt to fit whatever you decide on.

www.kitmanmotors.com

Chris

bart posted:

Get a Corvette....if you have any doubt about a Speedster all your doubts will be confirmed.   There is nothing practical about these toys, it is all about the joy of owning and driving one. It almost has to be a obsession to put up with it's limitations...

I liken it to riding a motorcycle in perfect weather on a low volume twisty mountain road.....I really can't even imagine one with a automatic. 

It can be done but usually with a VW bus tranny so not really a nice fit.