new purchase

Hubbard ( A third party Dealer ?) has some nice videos of speedsters but I don't believe anyone here has yet to purchase from them.  Do search here on the SOC it gives a potential buyer a lot of consumer information.  Deal direct with any of the reputable builders, Vintage Motor Cars ( Greg) in California, Beck aka Special Edition ( Carey)  in IN. Intermeccanica (Henry) in Canada.

Thanks  any info from anyone would help can't decide between need build or used  my first one 

There are a lot of pluses to buying used. You can get in for less money, you can drive it around and get a feel for what you like and don't like about the car, you get a feel for options you don't use (very few) and options you wish you had (this list is bigger) , and if you don't like owning it you can sell it and get out of the hobby faster without losing money.

If you enjoy the car and the hobby you can source a new build adding all of the options you used car didn't have, pick the exterior color, interior color, carpet color, tonneau cover colors, and engine size. This will truly make the car unique to you. 

What Robert says x2.   You find a lot of low mileage used speedsters.  Some folks fall in love with the look and style,  but did not anticipate the 50+ years old technology.

Things to consider:  Have you driven a speedster?  Have some previous mechanical ability and knowledge of 50's technology ?   Test drive a couple of speedsters and ask those owners questions and direction. These are fair weather cars, not water tight, noisy and you feel every bump and turn but are a blast to drive .  I usually suggest buying a good used speedster, drive it for a while deciding what you might change on a new one, after a minimum of  800 miles if you still have the passion yes order one to your personal liking as used speedsters tend to hold their value . 

After researching for a few months, I figured the best way to go would be to buy one from either Alan or Troy.  But, then I found a project that appealed to me.

@CAPTAIN These gentlemen have provided some sound advice.  There's a reason why there's a bunch of low mileage speedsters on the market.  They are amazingly cool fun cars to look at.  You begin to romanticize what it will be like to own one, long sunset drives that last 5 hours.  Your significant other in the passenger seat smiling and wishing this day would never end.
And then you buy one.  Your wife hates the wind smacking her head in every direction, her hair is a wreck.  Then the smell of gas, and oh my, it's noisy.  I can't hold a thought.  And the ride, geez, after 1 hour I need a chiropractor.  Before long, she never goes with you anymore.
Or you've come from a modern car and realize this amazing speedster is really nothing more than a glorified go-kart or a 4-wheel motorcycle.  You like cruising through the back roads listening to your favorite playlist, but realize you need a 2000w amp to hear over the engine.  Days turn into weeks turn into months that you haven't driven the speedster because, well, it just wasn't what you thought.
OR.......you have oil in your veins and the smell of gas is as welcome in the morning as the smell of freshly brewed coffee.  And you love the basics of driving a car completely based on 50s technology.  Well, then you are a part of our madness.

Which is why it is recommended that you purchase one of these low mileage speedsters from someone that did not share the madness.  The gamble they chose came at a cost, albeit small, in the depreciation of their new speedster.  

Also, you may ask, what engine size should I get?  That question will get you a number of different responses.  My suggestion on that one?.....drive a 1600cc, a 1776cc, a 1915cc, a 2100cc and/or a subaru powered watercooled to find out which engine fits you the best.  

One qualification to the “buy a used one first” statement: if you’ve owned an old British sports car with side curtains and loved it, but don’t love rust and decades-old caked-on grease, then one of these may be perfect for you.  Compared to my MG Midgets my Speedster was a Cadillac.  While I was scared to take the best of my Midgets over 100 miles from home I drove the Speedster from SC to PA and back 10 times.

The point is that you need to have your eyes wide open.  By finding this site and studying the data it contains you’ve taken the best first step.

Thanks for all the info , sounds like used is the way to go , what would be considered a low mileage used speedsters and at what price range would be reasonable , also how old should I go .

Head here: https://www.speedsterowners.co...speedsterclassifieds

Here’s one: https://www.speedsterowners.co...motosports-speedster

@CAPTAIN

Where do you live Captain?

New York , it would be just a summer  spring week end ride 

Save your pocket change for a few months, and come to the Speedster/Spyder gathering at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, third weekend in May.  Many of us will be there, along with our cars.  You can look them all over, kick tires, even drive them (we're a pretty accommodating bunch).

Look on this site under "Events/Carlisle 2019"

If you're serious about getting one of these cars, this will be the best thing you can do for a very fast education and probably save you a lot of money and aggravation. 

Captain do come to Carlisle we'll be happy to show you around speedsters and you can ride in a few too.

Here's the link Captain so you don't have to muddle through the site to find it:

https://www.speedsterowners.co...3#590444326183816523

great thanks I will be there ,  are any cars for sale at this event ?

CAPTAIN posted:

great thanks I will be there ,  are any cars for sale at this event ?

There may be.

@CAPTAIN

We build the cars for Hubbard Auto sales in Arizona, you cant go wrong with a new especially with all the new stuff we are doing to the cars as a standard option....

1. all new 1914cc engines with CB performance heads, crank, cam and magna spark ignitions .

2. remote oil cooler with electric fan standard on all base cars now.

3. four wheel 5 lug front and rear disc brakes.

4. Vintage 190 aluminum 5 lug wheels

5. electric fuel pump

6. 3.88 transaxle

7. VDO gauges ( not the Chinese knock offs 

Feel free to call me anytime at the shop (714)894-1550 or my personal cell (714)342-9095 I can answer any questions you might have.

Greg Leach

www.vintagemotorcarsinc.com 

CAPTAIN;

You can search here, regarding  vintage motorcars inc. (Calif) and you will read nothing but high fives for Greg.

CAPTAIN posted:

Thanks for all the info , sounds like used is the way to go , what would be considered a low mileage used speedsters and at what price range would be reasonable , also how old should I go .

How old you should go depends entirely on how "hands on" you are and how much "shade tree mechanic" experience you have. The older you go, the less expensive Speedsters become, but higher mileage tends to yield more issues, or at least more maintenance. If you have decent skills and tools, like to get grimy in the garage, know how to read a manual and research stuff on Google, you'll have a ball with an older Speedster. 

@all GOD!... i just love you guys!... so helpful and quick to the advice for us newbs! nothing to add to the thread except I can't wait to visit VMC in the near future and starting planning out the madness. 

@CAPTAIN I've read through these threads and follow all that i find vital info and asked other members my stupid newb questions... and consensus is that you can't go wrong with @VSpyder Greg at VMC

CHEERS!

Kevin - Bay Area posted:

@CAPTAIN These gentlemen have provided some sound advice.  There's a reason why there's a bunch of low mileage speedsters on the market.  They are amazingly cool fun cars to look at.  You begin to romanticize what it will be like to own one, long sunset drives that last 5 hours.  Your significant other in the passenger seat smiling and wishing this day would never end.
And then you buy one.  Your wife hates the wind smacking her head in every direction, her hair is a wreck.  Then the smell of gas, and oh my, it's noisy.  I can't hold a thought.  And the ride, geez, after 1 hour I need a chiropractor.  Before long, she never goes with you anymore.
Or you've come from a modern car and realize this amazing speedster is really nothing more than a glorified go-kart or a 4-wheel motorcycle.  You like cruising through the back roads listening to your favorite playlist, but realize you need a 2000w amp to hear over the engine.  Days turn into weeks turn into months that you haven't driven the speedster because, well, it just wasn't what you thought.
OR.......you have oil in your veins and the smell of gas is as welcome in the morning as the smell of freshly brewed coffee.  And you love the basics of driving a car completely based on 50s technology.  Well, then you are a part of our madness.

Which is why it is recommended that you purchase one of these low mileage speedsters from someone that did not share the madness.  The gamble they chose came at a cost, albeit small, in the depreciation of their new speedster.  

Also, you may ask, what engine size should I get?  That question will get you a number of different responses.  My suggestion on that one?.....drive a 1600cc, a 1776cc, a 1915cc, a 2100cc and/or a subaru powered watercooled to find out which engine fits you the best.  

My dad has always called things like this "Rock Candy ".  Rock Candy are things that look real nice but don't' taste that great.  Basicly, they look  great in the garage  but not that reliable or fun to drive.  I have owned lots of rock candy over the years ...classic cars,  motercycles. Some very expensive and not at all pratical or even used very often.   I have a bad sweet tooth....speedster fits this perfectly.  

They can be surprisingly usable once sorted.  I put over 55k miles on mine in 11.5 years before a mishap ended that affair.  Much of that mileage was on long trips to/from Carlisle and the Smoky Mountains.  The damage was all to the body, not mechanical, and it is being rebuilt as we speak for the next person to enjoy.

Others have equaled or exceeded my mileage, so it can be done.  All it takes is the right attitude, the right car, and a little ingenuity to overcome some of the inherent "characteristics" that can be bothersome (rain leaks, etc.).

Lane is correct.  Built and maintained properly, these cars can take you where you want to go.  You might get a little wet once in a while, but that's part of the ownership experience.

I am always taking mine on long trips anywhere from three to ten days, over long distances, and I've always managed to get home again safe, sound, and happy.

Lane Anderson posted:

They can be surprisingly usable once sorted.  I put over 55k miles on mine in 11.5 years before a mishap ended that affair.  Much of that mileage was on long trips to/from Carlisle and the Smoky Mountains.  The damage was all to the body, not mechanical, and it is being rebuilt as we speak for the next person to enjoy.

Others have equaled or exceeded my mileage, so it can be done.  All it takes is the right attitude, the right car, and a little ingenuity to overcome some of the inherent "characteristics" that can be bothersome (rain leaks, etc.).

... and yet, even after all of that, you'll never overcome the stuff Kevin pointed out. 

Kevin - Bay Area posted:

And then you buy one.  Your wife hates the wind smacking her head in every direction, her hair is a wreck.  Then the smell of gas, and oh my, it's noisy.  I can't hold a thought.  And the ride, geez, after 1 hour I need a chiropractor.  Before long, she never goes with you anymore.
Or you've come from a modern car and realize this amazing speedster is really nothing more than a glorified go-kart or a 4-wheel motorcycle.  You like cruising through the back roads listening to your favorite playlist, but realize you need a 2000w amp to hear over the engine.

I've got 19 years in this hobby now, and am still realizing stuff that is important to talk about.

Your wife.

She can either be for it, against it, or indifferent to it. If she's for it, she can be "all in", "in for the good parts", or "supportive".

If your wife is against it, you're really just fighting a force of nature to push ahead. If she's against it, she's not going to be won over by it's charms once it shows up. The car is destined to become a real wedge-point in your marriage.

If she's indifferent to it, I wouldn't expect that state to last forever. Women marry men expecting that they'll change-- but they don't. Men marry women expecting that they won't change-- but they do. Opinions will be formed, once the garage is taken over and resources continue to be sunk. Maybe she'll see how happy it makes you (if indeed it does), but likely not. 

I wouldn't ever consider this as a possibility unless you wife is at least partially for it. 

Almost nobody's wife is all in. There are exceptions, but for a woman-- these cars require sacrificing some of the things that are really important to them. It is very, very unlikely that your wife will be as into this as you are, and something that you need to be ready for.

There are guys here who's wives want no part of this hobby personally, but are supportive. This works when wives are happy to let the gearhead putter off in search of some lost part of his youth, or find himself, or whatever... as long as it's not required that she pretend to like it. This kind of "your thing/my thing" relationship isn't a deal-breaker by any stretch, but there are a few things to think about. How's she going to feel about LOTS of loose time and income being chewed up with something she doesn't particularly like? Are YOU okay funding something equally time consuming and expensive for her? Is this going to breed bitterness? Is she REALLY going to be good with you puttering off for Carlisle, or the Smokies, or wherever without her? It works for some couples. It doesn't for others.

Then there are wives who are in for the good parts. I suppose the best example I can give is Jeanie. She really enjoys going for a short drive on a summer evening, or cruising to a fun weekend spot. I've driven to the west coast a couple of times (from central Illinois), and she was delighted to motor down the PCH, or around Tahoe. What she didn't want was to slog across Iowa and Nebraska and Wyoming and Nevada to get to the Golden state. She flew in to San Jose or Sacramento, and I picked her up. I try pretty hard not to push anything past the point of no return. 

She also understands my need to lay on my back under the car for long periods of time, puzzling out something that nobody but me will ever see or care about. She's not ever going to out there handing me the sockets, but she's OK with all of it, as long as it doesn't kill me or ruin us financially.

An honest assessment of how your wife may respond to a car that requires a few compromises would probably be a good idea, before jumping off the deep end. Forewarned is forearmed.

Great Post Stan.  Hammer on Nail.  dead on 

Absolute wisdom there and I'll add this: TALK ABOUT ALL THAT STAN AND KEVIN POSTED BEFORE MAKING THAT PURCHASE. It is truly amazing what kind of insights this kind of open communication can bring. Speaking here from years of inexperience.

Great post Stan.

I am , one lucky guy my wife Connie is always all in with Speedsters . She'll do two days in a pick up truck to retrieve a rolling piece of  speedster art that is in need of a total restoration..... we do have to stop for a decent dinner .  Helps push it into the garage,  do an inventory of what's there , another list of what get's tossed out,  a third list of what has to be purchased ...a multitude of  thousands of dollars. When ready for paint another pick up truck ride for 4 1/2 hours each way towing the speedster to the painter in PA. only to do it all again a week later to get the  speedster and drag it home. Connie will sit out in the garage while I work helping when needed without complaining and always say's,  "Let me know if you need help". She's acquired in depth speedster knowledge and that boys and girls is a great wife !

 After a few long cruises and getting caught in the rain without heat or side curtains in my old CMC...My wife "made me" get an IM with ac, heated seats, electric windows,.removable hardtop. She's all in now!

A picture is worth a thousand words.

When I was in my formative years, we were told that girls mature emotionally several years earlier than boys do.

At least boys were told that. I think the girls already knew.

The implication was that we would eventually somehow catch up. But I don't remember there being any guarantees. And no one would say exactly when this catching up was supposed to happen.

We were told a lot of things like that to help us sort of accept stuff we couldn't do much about anyway. You know, it was science. Like Saturn has rings. That's just the way it is.

Like most, I got on with life, and came to accept that women are just wired different - in ways that I will never be. There isn't going to be any catching up. They are fascinated by stuff that will never interest me. Shoes. Fabric. What's on sale at the supermarket.

They have special abilities. How do they remember what someone was wearing the last time they saw them?

And they aren't going to like anything guys think is cool. The cooler it is, the less likely they'll like. In fact, if something is really bad-ass cool, the odds are pretty good you won't be allowed to bring it into the house. I think part of maturing a few years early is that you get to decide what can and cannot be brought into the house.

I am frankly amazed that my wife likes the Speedster at all. And she really does. I've suggested a few times we get something more comfortable, something that keeps the rain and hail out, and she'll have none of it.

I think that's the real genius of this car's design. Forget the light weight, the torsion bar suspension, the air-cooled engine. The good doctor somehow managed to make a car that I think is bad-ass cool, but that my wife lets me park in the garage.

Sacto Mitch posted:

I think that's the real genius of this car's design. Forget the light weight, the torsion bar suspension, the air-cooled engine. The good doctor somehow managed to make a car that I think is bad-ass cool, but that my wife lets me park in the garage.

... and there you have it.

When it looked like I'd beaten the odds, and actually done something bordering on making me a productive member of society, I asked Jeanie about a "cool car". She said, "anything but a Corvette". I showed her a picture, and she said yes. There's been one in the garage ever since.

It's just weird when the planets line up.

MikelB posted:

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Now THAT is "all in"!

When my son was 2, it was apparent that he took a strong liking to cars. His first word was car (not unusual, his name is Carter). For his 2nd birthday, my folks bought him a 550 Spyder battery operated ride in car; which he absolutely loves. He loved running his hand over the sculpted bodywork of the 550 and saying “nice car”. 

It was my wife that suggested that we purchase a classic car, for long drives with no particular destination, and to attend car shows; providing my son the same upbringing I had. 

So, we fired up the laptops and began our search. I was looking at ‘62-‘64 Lincoln Continentals, W111 Mercedes (coupes), W108 Mercedes (sedans), ‘51 Hudson Hornet, ‘53-‘54 Cadillacs, and big Healeys (4-seaters).  I went for practicality. With the ability to seat all of us comfortably. 

My wife chuckled at all my selections, with the exception being the Healey. She liked the Healey. We even test drove one. The problem with the Healey is that nice ones were out of my price range. We would need to settle for a driver’s quality, which was fine by me, but my wife was less than enthusiastic about those. 

My wife (Jeri) was the one that showed me the Speedster. I love the Speedster. I’ve always wanted one, but for some reason or another never pulled the trigger. But I told her those are impractical. We want a family car. There’s only two seats. But my wife made up her mind, and who was I to tell her differently. 

The day we purchased the Speedster was the day of her father’s 60th birthday. Which we were late on attending due to picking up the car. But she was OK with that; as she was the one that suggested the time to pick up the car. (She did not want to loose this car to some other buyer) 

But, with all her enthusiasm with the Speedster, there are limitations. She won’t go more than 1-hour in the car. And the temps have to be ideal (not too hot, not too cold). And no highways-too much wind.  She will tell you that although she likes the car, it’s really for me and my son to enjoy, as he loves it. Similarly to his 550, he runs his hand down the bodywork of the Speedster and says “nice car”. He has walked and touched every inch of the car; reminiscent of the blind students that attend car shows with their white gloves. 

While I thoroughly love the Speedster, the enjoyment I get from the car is elevated when there’s someone in the passenger seat, whether that is my wife, son, a friend or my 65lb English Bulldog (Bentley). 

Alan Merklin posted:

I am , one lucky guy my wife Connie is always all in with Speedsters . She'll do two days in a pick up truck to retrieve a rolling piece of  speedster art that is in need of a total restoration..... we do have to stop for a decent dinner .  Helps push it into the garage,  do an inventory of what's there , another list of what get's tossed out,  a third list of what has to be purchased ...a multitude of  thousands of dollars. When ready for paint another pick up truck ride for 4 1/2 hours each way towing the speedster to the painter in PA. only to do it all again a week later to get the  speedster and drag it home. Connie will sit out in the garage while I work helping when needed without complaining and always say's,  "Let me know if you need help". She's acquired in depth speedster knowledge and that boys and girls is a great wife !

You're a lucky man, Alan.  Mary won't get into any mechanical stuff, but she is my constant companion wherever we go, and never a word of complaint.  She's the one who wants to do a cross-country tour in the Speedster and we may just do that, sooner than later.

Wow guys thanks for all the great info , still can't wait to purchase a speedster  my wife has been behind 100 percent keeps pushing me as I have wanted one for a while , life is short need to enjoy.

Some great posts here.  I am fortunate as anyone to have lucked into a wife like my Alice.  Like Mitch, she absolutely abhors a Corvette and double the distain for a red one.  She puts them right up there with an ankle bracelet for a lack of class. (Personally I like a red Corvette--but an old one when they were small---but please no one tell her that I said that!)

I just realized that while some folks who have put lots of miles on their Speedsters have done it solo.  Alice has been my right seater for almost all the 55,000 miles on mine.  She is a sport and will always join me for any trip be it one of our 13 Carlisles , several Smoky Mountain events and even the trek to Morro Bay CA and back ---all but a two hour stretch in freezing temps with heavy snow in Flagstaff, AZ when she bailed out to ride a while in Rusty and Sharon's Esclade---I'd have joined her but pressed on with the Speedster.  I did install an Espar so next time she won't have to jump ship for comfort!

I am a fortunate guy.

I'm a fortunate guy too. Francine is always keen for the next road trip. She's not much with a wrench but she knows how to find the right one and passes it on to me quickly. She enjoys the travelling part too and that's the reason I have the car in the first place. She's a pretty good navigator / planner and never complains if the weather gets bad. Always keen to mix with the locals. Last pic is the entertainer at the Strater Hotel in Durango....maybe 2012. 

Some pics of us travelling in the Speedster.

First ( actually second )  long trip in the Roadster will be this summer through Maine and over to Nova Scotia and Nfld.