You are "looking" at a lot of cars.
Maybe it's time to help yourself by defining the parameters of what you want again.
You've gotten a ton of advice about makers, engines, transmissions etc.
@Panhandle Bob posted:You are "looking" at a lot of cars.
Maybe it's time to help yourself by defining the parameters of what you want again.
You've gotten a ton of advice about makers, engines, transmissions etc.
I've got two daughters who are both beautiful women (they take after their mom). They're in their mid- late 30s and have given me 7 grandkids between them.
Before they were married, their future husbands came to me in turn and "asked" for each of my daughter's hand in marriage.
It was polite of them, but neither of them were really asking - their minds were already made up. What they were looking for was a blessing.
I think that's what we have going on here.
@ Speedster23.. I think you are hyped and excited to make a speedster purchase. I get that and understand but the immediate rush is similar to a kid with a $10 bill running up and down the Toy's 'R Us isles. Taking your time will allow you to mull over suggestions here and choose the right speedster. Have you sat in as well as driven a speedster?
On my quest I diligently narrowed it down my top five. That was quickly whittled down to the top three. The one I was hot to buy slipped away…thankfully! (It was a wide body and I could have brought it home for a song)
When the list got down to my top two I took a trip and looked them both over in person, including test drives and crawling around in and under them. Buying sight unseen can be terrifying and unless you know EXACTLY what will be delivered I would exercise a lot of caution. Unless of course it is coming from a trusted seller.
I ultimately went with a 2003 VS “powered” by a 1600 with dual Kadrons. I bought already having plans in my head of changing the ignition to electronic and fuel pump to electric. That quickly developed in to a ridiculous engine.
But I’m happy.
I’m fairly certain it’s been said here in some form: buy the car you want to START with. Every car out there (unless spec’d by the buyer) was built the way the owner wanted it to be done. That may or may not be the way you’d do it. I think knowing I would be making changes made my decision to purchase a lot easier to make.
Here is a speedster for sale from a reputable builder being sold by one of the more knowledgeable speedster sellers you will find (not counting the builders themselves):
@Speedster23 posted:HI lane …. Thank you for he info … I think the guy actually is the real owner , I ask to him some personalized video for me … and look like the car is real …
What info you can give me about your former car? What you think is a right price ?
thank you
As the BaT listing says, the car was sold for $31,750 on 8/10/21. The seller was a fellow named Pete Ortiz who bought it from me through Special Edition (Beck) for $35,000. I'm really not sure what is going on if he says he still has it.
As for specs, the car is an early (2006) Beck Speedster on their original tube-framed chassis. It has standard VW suspension and front disk brakes. The engine is a 1915cc CB Performance rated at 125hp and built by Pat Downs. The transmission is a Rancho ProStreet with a CSP shifter. I had the car from June 2006 to February 2018 and put ~52,000 miles on it including many trips from Charleston, SC to Carlisle, PA as well as to the Smoky Mountains. I had a wreck in 2018 that resulted in no mechanical damage but significant body damage to the front. I sent the car back to Beck and they replaced the front end bodywork and updated the interior, which was showing some age-related wear. I believe they replaced the rear drum brakes with disks at the new owner's request. Pete did some other updates such as the steering wheel and Porsche badges. I'm not sure why he sold it on BaT three years later with almost no added miles. I'm not sure who owns it and is trying to sell it now, but if you can get it in the 30s it's a good deal.
@Panhandle Bob posted:You are "looking" at a lot of cars.
Maybe it's time to help yourself by defining the parameters of what you want again.
You've gotten a ton of advice about makers, engines, transmissions etc.
Yes I think vintage speedster /Beck and intermeccanica ,
but someone told me vintage speedster is good but depend of year of production … what is the right year? Thank you
@Lane Anderson posted:As the BaT listing says, the car was sold for $31,750 on 8/10/21. The seller was a fellow named Pete Ortiz who bought it from me through Special Edition (Beck) for $35,000. I'm really not sure what is going on if he says he still has it.
As for specs, the car is an early (2006) Beck Speedster on their original tube-framed chassis. It has standard VW suspension and front disk brakes. The engine is a 1915cc CB Performance rated at 125hp and built by Pat Downs. The transmission is a Rancho ProStreet with a CSP shifter. I had the car from June 2006 to February 2018 and put ~52,000 miles on it including many trips from Charleston, SC to Carlisle, PA as well as to the Smoky Mountains. I had a wreck in 2018 that resulted in no mechanical damage but significant body damage to the front. I sent the car back to Beck and they replaced the front end bodywork and updated the interior, which was showing some age-related wear. I believe they replaced the rear drum brakes with disks at the new owner's request. Pete did some other updates such as the steering wheel and Porsche badges. I'm not sure why he sold it on BaT three years later with almost no added miles. I'm not sure who owns it and is trying to sell it now, but if you can get it in the 30s it's a good deal.
Hi! The car is actually in Texas
they ask 40 last price but maybe 38 … the owner close the deal
for 2 vintage speedster I m around 35k the price
You have gotten a LOT of guidance from many members on this site about these cars as to what is “good” versus bad.
Just buy something. You have several cars to choose from. It doesn’t matter which one you choose. If you don’t like any of them for any reasons, then walk away. Just like the rest of us.
@Alan Merklin posted:@ Speedster23.. I think you are hyped and excited to make a speedster purchase. I get that and understand but the immediate rush is similar to a kid with a $10 bill running up and down the Toy's 'R Us isles. Taking your time will allow you to mull over suggestions here and choose the right speedster. Have you sat in as well as driven a speedster?
Your not kidding... there is no perfect answer for our buyer at this time IMO it is mostly ferry dust time 
@Teammccalla posted:New paint and leather? You sound like you want it to be pretty nice overall.
IDK what you want to spend on paint, but it could be 10k or more. Leather? Maybe another 3k? You were showing 38k to 40k cars as examples. So it seems like you’re up to 51k + on your budget? Then you’ll want to fix this and that, freshen the top and tires, maybe some chrome bits, do more things to get it tip top. I’m guessing you might spend 55k in the end.
Unless you decide to get a Suby (which is no longer available from VMC), you might just get a new one. It will take longer but then it will be exactly what you want all the way down to the headlights and license plate trim. Mine only took 15 months for VMC to make to order.
Yes, it will seemingly be more, but in the end, it might be cheaper? Something to consider.
Hi, Bob.
I am worried you are going to regret your purchase. It is very difficult to shop enough to learn EXACTLY what you want, and then wait for that exact car to appear. It’s worth it though.
Hey Bob. Take it from someone who agonized way too much and annoyed too many people trying to figure out what he wanted: if you’re a detail-oriented, finicky person (like me), you’re time and sanity are better spent ordering something perfect that you love. Moreover, you can start on the low/basic end, and slowly modify your car to be perfect for you at all times. That’s why I ordered one - it’ll ship Wednesday!!! Of course, you know yourself best.
@Speedster23, as several have said, it sounds like you have a very particular idea of what you want. Give the price of converting and exiting car got your specs, a new buy might be the best idea. Since you prefer air-cooled VMC is quicker at less than 18 months based on @Teammccalla’s experience. While I am a big fan of Becks, their backlog is around three years.
@Speedster23 posted:More photo of the black with red interior
This is one of the first few posts from the original poster. I don't know if the photos will show in the quote, but look closely how the door card is attached to the door, with no door rail! I just happened to see this car on FB. It's easily one of the worst cared for Speedsters I've ever seen and the seller is asking $35k for it! Here's a link to the FB post (it probably won't work if you don't belong to the FB group) https://www.facebook.com/group...646/?mibextid=Nif5oz
And here's a screen capture of that door. 
Attachments
Images (1)
I ordered my VMC on March 15, 2022, so just over 15 months. Your mileage may vary. Anna at VMC said that they had really seen a jump forward in time of production. My guess -- and it's only my guess -- is that it's because they stopped the Suby builds. I guess that the Suby builds can get hung up, and take longer, slowing down the entire queue. I was very surprised to get mine at the beginning of summer. I was thinking it would be fall or winter after the good weather (if we ever have any in the bay area) is gone. Picking it up Wednesday means I have ALLLLLLL SUMMER. Woohooooooo.
@Troy Sloan posted:This is one of the first few posts from the original poster. I don't know if the photos will show in the quote, but look closely how the door card is attached to the door, with no door rail! I just happened to see this car on FB. It's easily one of the worst cared for Speedsters I've ever seen and the seller is asking $35k for it! Here's a link to the FB post (it probably won't work if you don't belong to the FB group) https://www.facebook.com/group...646/?mibextid=Nif5oz
And here's a screen capture of that door.
Yes is exacly this one … you think is a vintage speedster ? What you think is right price ?
I can't say for sure if it's from Vintage Speedsters, but it does have some Vintage Speedsters interior components. It might have been a kit from Vintage that was home built, but there is no way Vintage built it at their factory.
Front trunk release not in the normal location.
Heater vent located on the firewall behind seats.
No panels for the engine seal.
Tonneau cover appears to be vinyl and not correctly installed causing it to be wrinkled by snaps
Most likely will need:
body work and paint
new wheels
carpet
No telling what condition the top and side curtains are in (if it even has them) or the engine.
I wouldn't give $20k for it.
YES looks to be VS. New door panels $360 and door toppers $170 plus shipping. I'm sure door panels were repeatedly wet ---- assume seats, carpet and floor pan too???? If it didn't have door toppers there was no way to attach side curtains - so may not be any. Shows lack of overall care. That's the one that is missing tin around engine compartment - so engine sucks in hot exhaust gases.
I try to buy a good example for around 35k vintage speedster / or Beck …. The one intermeccanica at Beverly Hills dealer is not bad for a base car probably
and I have 2 cmc option ,,, but I don’t want pay more than 25 k for them ….
the red Beck best best price the guy want is 38k ….. I don’t know
@Troy Sloan posted:This is one of the first few posts from the original poster. I don't know if the photos will show in the quote, but look closely how the door card is attached to the door, with no door rail! I just happened to see this car on FB. It's easily one of the worst cared for Speedsters I've ever seen and the seller is asking $35k for it! Here's a link to the FB post (it probably won't work if you don't belong to the FB group) https://www.facebook.com/group...646/?mibextid=Nif5oz
And here's a screen capture of that door.
Troy's being nice. That isn't even a $15K car.
@Robert M LOL! Yes, I was trying to be nice, just like when I said "worst cared for Speedster" rather than POS.
Are you talking about restoring a replica Speedster? It would have to be a very straight-forward project for that to make sense.
A car that “needs restoring” is a huge undertaking. It is not just “paint and leather.” It might be your style to restore one. I’m not sure, but don’t take it on lightly, and the old adage of “buy the best and newest you can find” certainly holds true here.
I have restored 3 cars in my life — ‘67 Morris Minor Traveler; ‘64 VW Deluxe Bus; ‘69 Porsche 911S Targa. None were EVER as good as a solid, well cared for car. Don’t get me wrong, they were great. I loved them. I made money on them. I was able to get into more of a car than I could afford, or wanted to spend. But none was tip top, even after a lot of hours and money. When I got my RS America in 2001, I didn’t mess around with it. I just got a perfect one. I haven’t regretted that decision, and I think it has saved me A LOT of money over the years.
I hope you find a nice one!!!
@Troy Sloan posted:@Robert M LOL! Yes, I was trying to be nice, just like when I said "worst cared for Speedster" rather than POS.
Having done a body off restoration and total rebuild of an old pan-based IM, I can echo what @Teammccalla said.
Unless you want to spend a ton of money or spend several years developing skills, learning about the details of our cars, sourcing parts, and doing most of it yourself, you are much better off spending the money on a good example of a car that you can be happy with from day 1.
I got what I wanted and ended up with better than I'd hoped for. However, I'm retired, really handy, and have experience building cars. Most people would be crazy to do what I did.
Spend the extra money to buy what you'll be happy with. If you get it wrong, sell it and try again!
@Jon T posted:Here is a speedster for sale from a reputable builder being sold by one of the more knowledgeable speedster sellers you will find (not counting the builders themselves):
I have just about the same speedster for sale right now... listed in the classifieds in this forum ...
Attachments
Images (1)
My Morris Minor Traveler was a project like that. I redid several parts of the coach work with old growth oak beams. I put a 1275 midget motor in it and it was sideways like a roller skate. The back end of those things is sooooo light you can pick them up. Right hand drive. You could see the ground through all the rust holes but I replaced a lot of parts with an American sedan donor, so it looked nice. What a great way to learn!
Working on the 911S was by far my most enjoyable wrenching though. Every bolt was where you needed it. Whoever engineered that car should be in heaven.
I never *loved* working on my ‘64 VW, but it wasn’t terribly difficult - just awkward. I found myself saying WTF did they do it that way a lot of the time. Maybe the Speedster will be better. At least it’s simple like the bus…
I burned up the fabric wiring harnesses in both the Minor and the VW. Another invention that made you go, WTF. A flammable product around wires that get hot. Brilliant! Somehow I hope Greg’s builds are smarter….
@E.Quest posted:I have just about the same speedster for sale right now... listed in the classifieds in this forum ...
Request?
@Michael Pickett posted:Most people would be crazy to do what I did.
Mike, you're still crazy, just the kind of crazy some of us can admire.
On the FOREWARNED front, I would venture to say that every car from a "builder" is different, especially in the past. I would assume that recent builds from Special Edition and Vintage (the one in California) are probably much more consistent from car to car.. but nothing like a Ford,Toyota,Mazda... Get as much documentation as you can about the components on the car!
Agree that buying the best example you can and going from there is the best path.
There's a reason for the phrase "Welcome to the Madness". Unless, you have exponential $'s, time, talent- Pick at least 2 (Mike certainly used 2 & 3, don't know how much of 1 but it's obvious it wasn't spared when called for)- you will be learning and "adjusting" this car for the life of ownership. That's part of the experience, otherwise a Boxster/Miata/Z4 would scratch the itch just fine.
@Michael Pickett posted:Having done a body off restoration and total rebuild of an old pan-based IM, I can echo what @Teammccalla said.
Unless you want to spend a ton of money or spend several years developing skills, learning about the details of our cars, sourcing parts, and doing most of it yourself, you are much better off spending the money on a good example of a car that you can be happy with from day 1.
I got what I wanted and ended up with better than I'd hoped for. However, I'm retired, really handy, and have experience building cars. Most people would be crazy to do what I did.
Spend the extra money to buy what you'll be happy with. If you get it wrong, sell it and try again!
There are but a few of us willing to dive into the darkness :~)
@Michael Pickett posted:Having done a body off restoration and total rebuild of an old pan-based IM, I can echo what @Teammccalla said.
Unless you want to spend a ton of money or spend several years developing skills, learning about the details of our cars, sourcing parts, and doing most of it yourself, you are much better off spending the money on a good example of a car that you can be happy with from day 1.
I got what I wanted and ended up with better than I'd hoped for. However, I'm retired, really handy, and have experience building cars. Most people would be crazy to do what I did.
Spend the extra money to buy what you'll be happy with. If you get it wrong, sell it and try again!
Handy is an understatement Michael .
I concur with you that one should buy a car with as many features and options as you desire as some upgrades are not easily done.
Nothing wrong with buying a fixer-upper and customizing it to your dream car - especially if it is reasonably priced and you can do your own work (or the majority of it). It's really a hobby and not a "real" car for most folks. There aren't but a few that use it as a daily driver. Imagine waiting a year to have a car built to your specs -- only to find the hard ride, poor visibility, noise, and gas smell are NOT to your liking --- or worse your spouse's. You see many low mileage Speedsters for resale due to this - not meeting expectations. Get a driver - use it for fun and customize it as you go.
@E.Quest posted:I have just about the same speedster for sale right now... listed in the classifieds in this forum ...
That's a nice one you have for sale.
The mid-$30K budget probably won't be a problem... if you are willing to wait a year and scour the classifieds on about 5 or 10 different sites. June is hardly the ideal time of year to be buying.
If you gotta' have one NOW, you're about $10K low. You get a lot for the additional $10K. You can't begin to get a car painted and redo an interior for anything close to $10K.
@Stan Galat posted:The mid-$30K budget probably won't be a problem... if you are willing to wait a year and scour the classifieds on about 5 or 10 different sites. June is hardly the ideal time of year to be buying.
If you gotta' have one NOW, you're about $10K low. You get a lot for the additional $10K. You can't begin to get a car painted and redo an interior for anything close to $10K.
How much you think is the right price for a reprint and change color interior ?
Please don't take this wrong, but your writing makes me think that perhaps you are not in this country? If not, I have no idea.
A decent paint job in the USA would start at $10K and go from there. A complete interior redo? A lot depends on where you are and who you know, but I had some seats reupholstered in leather and they were $2500. For the seats only - not the carpet, not the door cards, and not the dash.
@Stan Galat posted:Please don't take this wrong, but your writing makes me think that perhaps you are not in this country? If not, I have no idea.
A decent paint job in the USA would start at $10K and go from there. A complete interior redo? A lot depends on where you are and who you know, but I had some eats reupholstered in leather and they were $2500. For the seats only - not the carpet, not the door cards, and not the dash.
Ahhaha no no don’t worry I live in Miami but I m half Italian and half French 😅
For reference, I got my RSA painted to “near concours” 5 years ago for $10K, and that was significantly underpriced (friend of a friend deal). Recovering seats, steering wheel and door sills was quoted at $3K, but I never got around to it.
My guess is that you should budget $12K-$15K for paint, and $3K for the (smaller) interior.
Ballpark, I was thinking $15K- $20K all in, unless you have a "buddy-deal". It makes finding the right car seem pretty affordable by comparison.
Spending $30K could be the worst deal of your life, just like spending $50K could be the best thing you ever did.
IT'S THE CAR THAT DICTATES THE VALUE.
What colors are you looking for? My old red car would be a decent deal for $35-38k if you can live with the color.