Newbie, 356 Speedster Rep, Introduction & a few questions

hello all,
GREAT SITE. i have spent many, many hours searching/reading. this has been a very valuable resource.

i am a long time BMW enthusiast/ex-tech. however, its like starting over on this air cooled stuff (LOL).

last week picked up a 356 rep, 3500 indicated miles, which so far appears to be accurate. I am the 3rd owner, last owner had for 10 years, came from TX. Previous owner big VW guy, rewired car, built the motor (1971 Dual port, 88mm bore, stock 69mm crank, welded counter weights, 1679cc, Engle 110 cam, dual Kadrons). pan (1972 beetle) and drivetrain seem to be a very nice build (and I am very picky). Car cleaned up pretty nice, however the interior and exterior 'finish' items are pretty weak. well, onto a few of my questions:

1. What exactly to I have? The hood emblem says FiberFab, however on the exterior of the firewall there is a CMC quality inspection yellow sticker. Does this mean anything?

2. The car has no rubber/weather-stripping anywhere (none on hood, engine cover, doors). What is the preferred product to use for this?
3. Can anyone confirm or dismiss the 'rumor' in my head (that came form reading somewhere) that vintage bought the old CMC molds and such? The reason i ask is that i would like to know if their stuff (tops, interior kits, etc) will fit onto my car.

4. any idea on the approximate HP of this engine?

5. is the gas tank supplied with the kit or is this a VW item? Can

CMC bought FF around 1987 - they continued to sell bodies under both names for several years til CMC when belly up in 1995. I bought my CMC new 11/88 -- ha, never saw a quality control sticker on it though. Mine had the CLASSIC SPEEDSTER emblem on the hood handle and a yellow CMC build plate with body serial number.

Go to the library and print off one of the FF or CMC build manuals - or reference pages on weather stripping. Its inexpensive foam tape with sticky backing from HD/Lowes. Closed cell would work best. JC WHitney has variety of higher quality weather stripping.

All the chrome trim pieces on majority of replicas are poor quality. You can replace stuff light rear light trim rings with OEM SWF pieces.

The seats can be taken apart and fiberglass matting/cloth added if desired. 914 seats work well (can cut off the headrests). Miata is another popular seat.

Gas tank is a modified VW tank -- see build manual for moving filler neck and rewelding it on. You can buy aftermarket larger tanks with inside trunk filler already installed (CIP1).

Lots of Speedy owners near you - you can look in the registry and see those nearest you. It shows make and number of miles from you assuming you say where you are located in your profile.

VS parts like carpet kits and tops work with modifications. There are several write up here on adapting CMC top bows for the VS top and installing the carpets. The SEARCH function works well. VS Seats are easy fit.

HP? ~60-65 HP (heads and exhaust biggest unknown)

Welcome to the madness, Todd! There are quite a few Speedster experts in PA, but I think they are more in the south central area. Not too sure about the NE part. Still, it should be close enough that y'all can get together and swap info. Alan Merklin has built a number of gorgeous cars out of half-finished CMC and Streetbeasts (same company - different name) kits. He lives in Chambersburg, and is an acknowleged expert on cars like yours.

Hope to meet you in Carlisle next May.

Todd,

You should be able to see the pavement like you can in the engine shot. There is a clsoure piece that seals the engine compartment from below.

Looks nice. I think you haven't got a paint job it's gel coat.


1. You have a CMC/FibreFab from Florida.
2. Weather stripping on doors is a 3/8" stick on. On the engine compartment you can use anything that can fit in the lip from your local auto parts store.
3. Most of the Vintage stuff WILL fit your car no problem. They are all using the same sort of size etc... so most will be no issue. When in doubt ask before ordering. I bought a lot from Vintage when we were rebuilding FERN (my car) and everything fit.
4. Depends on the engine. You need to get the serial number of the motor to get a better idea.
5. Gas Tank came from the donor car. You probably don't have a vent hose on your filler neck.
6. Seats should be OK. I took mine to a rebuild place and they built them up, 2" larger and higher. $400.00 for both.
7. Allan is your guy....

Todd, Dan means "you should NOT be able to see the pavement..."

The lower part of the engine generates a lot of heat, while the air intake for the cooling fan is located in the upper part. There is normally a metal and rubber barrier between the upper and lower parts so that the heat from the cylinders and exhaust system does not simply circulate back into the cooling system. A long drive in its current condition could fry your engine. Otherwise, the car looks darned good for its age.

Hey Todd,

I get through Allentown area weekly during the early to mid afternoon hours.
We are doung a small speedster cruise here out of Chambersburg on Saturday October 11th (see events) Come and join us for the day.
Rocky C also is close to you in Blakeslee.
First item to address is the missing engime tin and seal, I can show you how to do this easily and on the cheap....Glad to check out your ride and make some helpful suggestions too. ~Alan

We are in Berkeley Springs , WV, and have your car's twin and would welcome a visit. Alan, we are hoping to make it up your way for one of the two events . (5th or 12th)
Nancy

Nancy,

The Carlisle Show cruise is Sat the 5th with our small local cruise out of Chambersburg the following week, Sat the 11th / rain date the 12th. ~ Alan