New to Speedster owners Forum

Art,  we have a large contingency of speedster owners here in SoCal....

These tubs are basically different than anything you have driven, and they are even different

from each other depending on motor size  & other options, of course....

I've had many collector cars, under 100HP to over 300HP, they are all cool....

The "Replica" stigma (for lack of a better term) only matters if that bothers you. most people

don't care, except the 356 snobs....it's something you will need to deal with in your own way....

 

No, it doesn't bother me, if it did i wouldn't be considering one, Just looking for feed back.

 

I've lived in SoCal all my life, i've been to many porsche shows when i had my 912 and 356. i'm just not real familiar with the 356 replica, that's why i'm asking. There definetely beautiful cars, and i surely can't afford a real thing.

 

life is good, Art

Sorry, i meant to say the real thing.

Art,

 

 I owned a 66' Mustang Coupe for a while and my Speedster obviously is night and day. First, in my Mustang I felt like I was driving a battleship that would cut through almost anything if for some horrible reason I got in a wreck. In my Speedster it is the completely opposite end of the spectrum. I'm not a motorcycle guy but, I can not imagine it being much different then driving one of these cars from a feeling of freedom and feeling of danger all at the same time! 

 

I am only one month in as far as owning my first Speedster (2004 VS) and am in love and learning things from a mechanical standpoint that I never knew before. These cars require more babysitting then a lot of other classics (especially water cooled classics) but, I think that is all part of it. Their might be a lot of these rides in CA but, I think I might be one of maybe 4 of us in GA. This club really seems to bring everyone together which is pretty bad ass. So far every time I have driven my car somewhere I have someone say/ask about the car. "It's a Speedster" or a "Porsche Speedster Tribute" to expensive to be just a kit. That's like calling Vintage Speedsters, SAS or one of the other big boys in the Speedster game a Wal-Mart auto department. Doesn't quite do it justice. 

 

A speedster replica is something you can have a lot of fun in (it's a convertible; anyone who can't have fun in one of these cars you don't want to know) without worrying about wear and tear happening on an original $100,000 + car. While most people like them (and will take the opportunity to have a good look and talk your ear off if you let them) there is the odd person (usually a Porsche owner; some are quite snobbish) that looks down on them.

 

The VW aircooled powerplant can be as reliable or as radical as you dare; a mildly equipped larger than 2 liter motor can produce over 150 hp (30? hp more than the 4 cam GT cars ever came with), have a huge torque curve (making the car very easy and fun to drive) and be no harder to take care of than a stock 1600.

 

You can modify it any way you like and the Purists can't say a thing....

 

 

And you will have people lean out their windows and compliment your car, talk to you at gas stations, and generally be drawn to the car.  If you're an introvert, it's not for you.  Otherwise it's a lot of fun.

Art,

 

Read this first:

 

https://www.speedsterowners.com/pages/articles_ready

I owned a 68 Ghia and a 76 911s plus other old trucks and Scout.  The Speedster is so much fun.  I have had mixed reations here in Reno when I say it is a replica.  There are a lot of classic car owners here and a lot of them are snobs.  Some say you should say it is a replica, to which I reply, "I would never try to pass my car off as a real Porsche".  I think the one word that kind of sets me off with anyone that asks about the car is "kit".  I mostly just let them know that it is not a kit and that it was "Manufactured" by Vintage Speedster.  I know that several people on this board built their cars, but I still feel that the word "kit" is degrading to all replica Speedster owners. 

 

Questions you will always get, but not always in this order:

 

1.  What year is it?

2.  What is it?

3.  Is it real?

4.  How much does one of these cost?

5.  Is it as fun to drive as it looks?

6.  What kind of motor does it have in it?

7.  (additional for me) You have a 1600 emblem on the back but you said you have a what in it?

 

With that, I have a 1970 VW that was Manufatured in 2003 by Vintage Speedster to resemble a 1957 Porsche Speedster.  I know a mouth full but it gets better.  It is not real, and if it was I most likely wouldn't have it out of the museum today.  You can find them used at a reasonable price and can have them built new for a little more.  (Laughing) Do you see the smile on my face?  I have a VW 2176cc in it with dual Webers, yes it is fast..(I go into more detail if it is a motorhead)..  A VW 2176.... 2.2 liter, yes it is much faster then the original 1600.

 

 

It took me 4 years to get mine.  After my divorce, I told myself when I have that debt paid off, I would get one.  Found a really nice used car with a lot of the work already done and well the madness began.....  Purchased in November with 16,000 miles and I just turned 22,000. 

 

 

BADSPD

 

 

Thanks, guys that's what i want to hear, I've definitely been there and know the experience, not in a manufactured speedster though. But as of right now looks like i may be buying one tomorrow it's basically brand new with very low miles. It's a Vintage Speedster.Stay tuned, i'll get back to you guys tomorrow with details.

 

Later, Art

 

Wow! Apparently attitudes have really changed on this site with comments like " There are a lot of classic car owners here and a lot of them are snobs" and " I know that several people on this board built their cars, but I still feel that the word "kit" is degrading to all replica Speedster owners". Of course, this hurts my feelings because I and those dinosaurs on the SOC site 8-10 years ago were for the most part, kit builders. We didn't that realize that our cars would not only distress some Dr. Ferdinand Porsche Speedster owners (well, we realized that some would be distressed), but also those who purchased turnkeys from IM, Beck, Vintage, etc as well. I'm guessing that most of our kits were purchased from CMC or Fiberfab, and a few probably believed the advertising and thought the were going to get their Speedster on the boulevard after 40 hours of wrenching. If it hadn't been for CMC and Fiberfab, with their advertising and airport displays, most of the site members driving turnkey IM, Beck and Vintage vehicles would not be driving them today. I firmly believe that these Speedster kit cars are responsible for proving the financial viability of the market for a new-old Speedster that turnkey owners now drive.

There was something exciting about receiving (I actually drove my "84 Ranger down to Miami in '88 to pick mine up from CMC) this big crate with a fiberglass shell and assorted brackets, hinges, trim pieces and rarely any bolts, nuts, or washers in it. There was also something very satisfying about turning this box of assorted parts into a fully functioning motor vehicle that we could drive wherever we wanted. We dinosaurs frequented SOC to describe difficulties we were encountering putting our kit cars together, seeking technical advice, offering suggestions or just stealing good ideas. There weren't a lot of cutesy posts serving no real purpose. Most of us who were truly desirous of a Speedster and purchased CMC kit cars were able to get them going...with varying degrees of success, as with most things in life.  Over the years, CMC has received more than it's fair share of criticism...generally not from original purchasers. In fact, much of that criticism seemed to emanate from second or third-hand owners, some who bought kits the original purchaser failed to start/complete for whatever reason, and sometimes from those not even owning a CMC kit car, but just wanting to pile on for some reason. Of course most of the quality problems related to the appearance or electrical systems track directly to the kit builder (the purchaser, not CMC). Drive train and handling problems track back to VW for the most part, even though we started with "antiques"...so to speak. And of course CMC is certainly not blameless insofar as missing parts and their bankruptcy and subsequent demise in the early '90's. All of this to say, kit cars were the genesis of today's "manufactured" Speedsters that most of today's site participants drive. And...I do recognize that IM, Beck, and Vintage produce a better car than I produced; but my Speedster reflects my ideas, my skills, and my shortcomings...


I have never felt insulted when asked if my Speedster was a kit car. Actually. I am rather proud of the kit car I built; the one that didn't take 40 hours to construct, but rather took me over 20 years...again, no apologies. What I am sad to see is that some site members now believe that our kit cars "degrade" the seemingly more politically correct "manufactured/tribute/replica" Speedsters. Hell, they're all copies/knockoffs of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche's creation...albeit improved in many ways.

As I have said in the past, this is a big tent we have erected here, and there's room for everyone.  Some of us argue because that's our nature, some of us are easygoing and don't like confrontation.  But we're car folks at the end of the day, and it's that shared interest that brings us together.  What keeps us together is a sense of community and family.  Some don't like the open sparring that takes place occasionally, but, like all families, arguments happen when folks feel strongly about something.

 

Kick back and enjoy the ride.  These are the good old days, podna'.   

He said "big tent and erected"..huh huh huh huh huh huh

 

Ok, that inspired me further.  B&B drive a swing axle car http://youtu.be/NkI-uv8Oaj4

Yeah, looks like the car sold for more money than i'm offering? in my opinion the car isn't worth it. for 2000 dollars more i can get one thru VS, with the colors and options i want. So that's what i'm going to do. it's still going be a couple of months.

 

Thanks, Art

Art,

 

 Hate to hear it but, can't say I blame you. At some point you got to stand your ground! I joined this site a little over a year ago and it was like voluntary torture watching everyone on this site post kick ass pictures and comments on their rides and I had to wait until last month until I could afford (loose term) one. Totally in love and am learning a ton. No matter who built it or when, this really is the best place to ask questions and get feedback. Good luck dude.

 

-Chase "mojogoatlanta"

 

Also, if I attempted to build a kit myself it would never be road worthy and be made up mainly of duct tape and prayers. I'm so not skilled enough or patient enough to pull that off! 

Yeah, i have very good patience, i'm not in a hurry as i said i've had a few other very nice cars, i just sold one about a month ago. 64 chevelle ss convertible. I owned it for three years, so i'm still not in the, i need a porsche speedster now mode.

 

But at this point, i'm definitely going to get one. I've participated in nany other registry's and forums as it related to the car i owned. So Chase, yeah your right these on line car forums are good for answers to questions and feedback.

 

But, you must also do your homework, and occasionally dodge a few bullets.

 

I'm not even going to attemt to build my own, replica,kit car, or manufactured tribute 356 i don't have the time, even if i had the time it would cost me more by the time i'm done.

 

I really like the sound of manufactured tribute 356 though, i may use that on my porsche replica kit car or whatever i decide to call it at the time according to circumstances.

 

Life is Good, Art

I am sorry that my post had the response that it did.  It was not intended to put down those that built their cars.  The term "KIT", to me, means that you can put the car together with little skill.  A bolt here a screw there and paint.   I know that is not the case for those on this site that have built their cars.  I am sure all have put in more hours to have a drivable car than the owners of lets say a 68 Mustang (not that they have not spent time to have a cherry ride, for those 68 Mustang owners out there.  Don't need more hate mail).  Again, my post was not intented to offend but rather praise those who have the talent and ability to manufacture their own car.  If I had the time and talent to build a car, I would refer to it as a project car over a KIT.  Again, my buzz word, might not be yours.

 

Art,

 

Good luck in your purchasing of a Speedster. 

 

BADSPD

 

 

Mr Bad...

The average idiot on the street has no idea what it takes to build a car, they hear the word "Kit" and to them it means NOT REAL, so you are not mistaken thinking that they look at a kit in a derogatory fashon. But any comparison to reworking an old Mustang is mildly amusing..

To me, kit builders are a strange lot, but that's because if you put a tool in my hand, I will hurt myself...They deserve a lot of credit, they just won't get it from me after this post...

I would rather rag on them for getting their hands all greasy...

 

Thanks, BADSPD. I'm still looking around, for a fair deal. if not i wil have one made as i said, previously.

 

 

Art

HEY VINCE CAN U COME HELP ME FIX MY ELECTRIC BIKE

 

I failed the birdhouse build in high school. I gotta adjust the valves and do a compression test this week on the Speedster. Let's see how good the Idiots Guide To Keeping a VW alive really is! lol

While you're admiring your beautiful rocker setup, check the ends of your rocker arms and notice if little steel wire clips/washers  hold the rockers from falling off each end. Or, you may have saftied bolts holding the ends where they should be. If just clips, you may want to invest about $30 and convert to the saftied bolt option. Ask me how I know....broken clips can ruin your day...or trip.

At least a small portion Of the VW alive, I'm going to plan on keeping the whole thing alive when i register it. Of course that's a whole other subject i'm sure your familiar with.

 

Not that it's important to me keep VW's alive, it may be more important to keep the 356 alive ? or a little of both how's that, for whatever it is. 

 

Life is good, Later

Old saltydog--I appreciated your fine post!  Well stated.

 

The wearly CMC and Fiberfab cars were 99% built by someone other than the factory because that was the only way to obtain one.  These days with turnkeys being available from factories

"Kits" are rare, I'm thinking.  It would be interesting to know how many VS cars are shipped as turnkeys--99% I imagine.  In almost 6 years on the SOC and now this site I have never once read about someone receiving a Vintage kit and building it.  Periodically we read about a NIB CMC is discovered and built  but that's really rare.  Almost all Speedsters now are factory built therefore very few "kit" cars are hitting the road. 

 

I dislike the moniker "kit car" a lot.  When I am asked "Is that a kit car" I say "No--it was built in a factory in Southern California.  It's a lot like the original car except it's improved in a lot of ways to be driven anywhere safely and reliably".  If they want to hear more about it I can tell them about the 4 wheel disc brakes, the Porsche 914 engine, and that like a Corvette it's got a fiberglass body so it won't ever rust. Plus radials rather than the old bias ply tires too!   I carry VS brochures to car shows and have caused a few cars to be sold.  For car shows I use a framed sheet with specs on the car and where it's been driven like to the West Coast, Carlisle 5x Tail Of The Dragon, etc. because that's where a lot of questions are asked.

 

I don't pass it off as a Porsche and tell them straight up that it is a reproduction of a '57 Porsche Speedster but greatly improved.  In 6 years I haven't ever experienced being looked down on either at shows or on the road.

 

In an earlier post it was asked how a Speedster compares to a Mustang or other old car and

the difference to me is that you can actually drive and enjoy the Speedster.  I would take my car anywhere in the country right now and all it needs is a tankfull of gas to start out.

 

 

thank you all for the information and articles about these cars. I am shopping for one here within a close range of Southern California. Don't have the patience to wait 45 days to order a basic unit, would rather buy a used one with limited mileage and get an upgraded condition. These remarks and articles are invaluable.

Jack, I'm with you. The question I get is: "Is that real?".

 

I say "Yes, it is a real car."

 

That usually starts a conversation about the provenance of the car.

 

"Mine is a factory built replica that has some distinct improvements over the originals. Some folks with more guts and more skill build from the ground up or start at some stage of completion up to needing only to complete the drivetrain."

 

Most folks have no idea that you can buy a replica from a "factory" and some get pretty interested as they, like me, wouldn't tackle a ground up build.

 

Kudos to anybody who tackles building one from the ground up or otherwise. There are some beautiful examples that come from suburban garages. Your vision, your time and money.

 

 

Bob---well said.  I sure agree.

 

I just read somewhere that for Vintage Speedsters only about 3 out of 100 are shipped as kits.  I believe that's what it said.   Just about what you would expect.  In 5-6 years I have never once read on this site that sonmeone just received their Vintage Kit and was starting to build it.

 

 

The poibnt is that these days rhere really aren't any kit Speedsters being built except for the rare NOS kits found in barns, so I feel ok saying that now they are built in factories.

 

Jack:

 

I didn't know that few Vintage kits are being sold as compared to finished cars, but then I'm not really surprised.

 

Given the admonition on their web page that you shouldn't undertake building a kit unless you have significant skills and time, I imagine most folks shy away and buy a finished car.

 

Add to that the availability of beautifully refurbished cars by the likes of Troy and Alan and, in general, a pretty reasonable entry price point for new or used Speedsters and our hobby is a great deal and provides for a wide range of mods and customization.

 

I love this.

 

 

Good point, Bob.  If I were a newbie and starting to look for a Speedster I'd contact Alan Merkin.  He gets many Speedsters in mostly good to fair condition and turns them into masterpieces.  You get a really well-sorted car at a fair price that you can be very proud to own.

 

The old CMC cars and Fiberfabs were likely built my amateurs (Gordon aside!) and you have no idea what you are getting.  Factory built cars are sometimes not fully sorted when a new owner takes possession.  Nes pas? 

I don't have experience with a straight from the assembly line Speedster. I bought Michael "Sludge" Beaucage's Vintage a couple years ago. He was the second owner and really had the car well sorted by the time I bought it.

 

It sounds like, from what I've read on the forum, that in most cases the issues that arise with most of the new ones are minimal with the exception of a couple manufacturers. However, this isn't like buying a new Ford with a dealer network that offers easy accessible warranteed repairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heh what's happening, I bought a car today. I got a very good deal on a used Vintage Speedster. It was built in 2006 and has about 9,000 miles. I'm very happy with my purchase, it's in excellent condition.

 

It runs very good and strong, I'm having a little trouble shifting it though, i can't find reverse for nothing, and then when in reverse i can't get it out to go into first ? The previous owner didn't seem to have any trouble shifting it.

 

I'll post some pictures soon, it's silver with red interior.

 

Art 

 

 

It's a standard H VW tranny

 

Reverse = Make sure tranny is in Neutral, push down on the shifter (down towards the ground). You will feel spring loaded tension.  From there, yank left and back towards you (think second gear but only when pushing down)

 

That is reverse.  One in reverse, push the gear shift towards the front of the car (like first gear) and you should feel the gear shift it pop up (towards the sky). Once it's popped up, it's back to the standard H

Here's a photo.

here's another photo..... Art

Love the silver on red combo.....classic. Before someone else beats me to it, let me say....welcome to the madness!

Still shopping. Saw a nice green one last week which I liked, and I saw a silver one over the weekend, but both of them have the stock 1600 motor. Would like to find one with a modified engine with horse power and torque. Will continue to monitor this site and contribute once I get my speedster. Thanks to all for the info and advice

 

Alan's email address is:  

 

drclock at pa.net

 

I don't know if he is still building replicas or not.  I believe he is taking a hiatus for a while, but'chya never know!

 

The Speedstah guy from Grafton