Newbie from TX

I like the mid-60s column rather than a later one with the key in the column. I used a mid-50's turn signal switch housing adapted to use a '67 bus turn signal switch.

TJ Ward posted:

... Thinking of just going with the stock drum brakes and not disc, and running wide 5 fuchs. Anyone have them that can post pic?  Also what column  is the best to go with? i like the mid 60's bug.   

May I suggest rethinking going with front drums? These cars are so much fun and it's really easy to start "pushing it" and get past the stock drums' capabilities, and that gets really REALLY scary (as well as downright dangerous)! Discs on the front is an upgrade every one of these cars should have, even for the guy who only ever cruises to the ice cream stand or beach.

I'm sure there will be different opinions, but an early or mid '60's steering column will look good. Al

ALB posted:

TJ Ward posted:

... Thinking of just going with the stock drum brakes and not disc, and running wide 5 fuchs. Anyone have them that can post pic?  Also what column  is the best to go with? i like the mid 60's bug.   

May I suggest rethinking going with front drums? These cars are so much fun and it's really easy to start "pushing it" and get past the stock drums' capabilities, and that gets really REALLY scary (as well as downright dangerous)! Discs on the front is an upgrade every one of these cars should have, even for the guy who only ever cruises to the ice cream stand or beach.

I'm sure there will be different opinions, but an early or mid '60's steering column will look good. Al

Any wide 5 ball joints kits you recommend? 

TJ Ward posted:

ALB posted:

TJ Ward posted:

... Thinking of just going with the stock drum brakes and not disc, and running wide 5 fuchs. Anyone have them that can post pic?  Also what column  is the best to go with? i like the mid 60's bug.   

May I suggest rethinking going with front drums? These cars are so much fun and it's really easy to start "pushing it" and get past the stock drums' capabilities, and that gets really REALLY scary (as well as downright dangerous)! Discs on the front is an upgrade every one of these cars should have, even for the guy who only ever cruises to the ice cream stand or beach.

I'm sure there will be different opinions, but an early or mid '60's steering column will look good. Al

Any wide 5 ball joints kits you recommend? 

 

You're on your own there. I was over at a friend's last night and saw a set of Empi 5x205 discs; talking about heavy!

Which is why my first car had CSP wide5 discs(aluminum hub/iron caliper). My new car has Airkewld wide5 discs, which has a two piece billet aluminum hub, both pieces are about 1/2" thick aluminum. The caliper is a Wilwood 4 piston, SUPER light. 

Both kits have iron rotors, but that's expected. 

That EMPI/Socal kit is ALL IRON, all of it. REALLY a boat anchor on each corner.

And to Al's comments, disc brakes are much easier to maintain,  pads vs. drum shoes. 

Yup - VW drum brakes are not self adjusting.  You have to adjust a big star with screw driver.  Not difficult nor do you have to do that often but just something else.

There's these at CIP1 (black-silver, polished and chrome available):

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDe...Code=C32-FU205-5515B

Been looking at this one. I like CB's stuff. http://www.cbperformance.com/product-p/4201.htm

or this one. http://www.cbperformance.com/product-p/4194.htm

TJ-

I think that's a great option.

I am running the CB 4201 brakes on an adjustable beam.  Like Stan said above, they are a good choice!

Who has wiring kits? Vintage said no. and seals for the back of bee hives and front grilles? 

I built my own wiring harness/electrical system, but I have heard of people using dune buggy or universal wiring harnesses with a few mods.  

You can get the rubber seals from Sierra Madre Collection.  There are probably cheaper alternatives, but I have been very pleased with the service and quality from Sierra Madre. 

I get all of my seals from Sierra Madre. 

TJ Ward posted:

Who has wiring kits? Vintage said no. and seals for the back of bee hives and front grilles? 

I have bought at least 20 Vintage Speedster harnesses over the years very easy to install but need to add grounds for gauges, lights etc.                                                  Buggy aftermarket harnesses are el cheapo's in quality.  You can also use a universal street rod 8 -10 circuit harness All you'll need to do is unwrap the harness and move the front engine wires to the back of the harness and rewrap. 

TJ, No they are out, or no they won't sell them?  This link is the website:

http://www.vintagespeedsters.c...category/electrical/

looks like i was on  different site.  http://vintagespeedsterparts.com/index.aspx 

And I get most of my seals and rubber parts from International Mercantile:

https://im356-911.com/collections/exterior-body-trim

And I like the service I get from Klasse356.  Easy to use online catalog.  Often part comes directly from Stoddard.  I've found many prices lower than SM.

https://klasse356.com/catalog/showCategories.asp

I went with a Painless Wiring fuse/relay panel.  Nice quality but they obviously can endure more pain than I can.

TJ Ward posted:

looks like i was on  different site.  http://vintagespeedsterparts.com/index.aspx 

You know what this hobby needs? One more supplier named "Vintage" something-or-other.

Perhaps one or two of them could end the confusion by naming themselves some permutation of "Vintage Motorcar(s)".

... oh, wait...

If I ever sell my Speedster, I wonder how impressed Craigslist buyers will be that I upgraded shifter and exhaust from Vintage Speedster to Vintage Speed.

How many will know the difference or even catch the difference in the online ad?

Maybe I should have gone CSP for that reason alone.

We need some adverbs added --- Ole Vintage, Real Vintage, Original Vintage, Latest Vintage, Mucho Vintage

Greg,

The descriptor you're  looking for are more "adjectives".

I'm going to move to rural Hawaii and start a company building high-performance (but old-school looking) engines for speedsters. I'm thinking of calling it "VintageSpeed Motors for Your Cars" (VintageSpeed MoFoCars for short).

There should be no confusion whatsoever. After all, my company will be in the Gardens of Hawaii, and the work will be done by two guys named "Scott" and "Dale", not in Hawaiian Gardens or Scottsdale.

Art posted:

Greg,

The descriptor you're  looking for are more "adjectives".

Art:  Nice post, nicely done.  

I, myself, am vintage. Perhaps a change of moniker to Vintage Bob would be in order.

Too late.  I'm there already...we need to have dueling birth certificates to see who wins this one. 

Who has the better bee hive tail lights? Are they all the same brand? 

Real gauges or Repops? 

Somewhere in a drawer I have a vintage speedo with two-time Hawaii Ironman champion Scott Tinley's signature on it. 

I used bee hives from Sierra Madre.   Not cheap (70.00/ea) but I was pleased with the quality.  

For gauges, I used the VDO reproduction gauges from Beck.  Great quality!  Also, I really like the GPS speedo.  Carey Hines and the guys at Beck are great people to do business with. 

If you have plastic lenses I highly recommend you switch the 1157 bulbs to a shorter glass globe motorcycle bulb to keep from having the lenses melt

I sent a long list of part to Vintage Speedsters.  Hopefully they can supply me with everything i need. If not then Sierra Madre will be my net stop. Think i might go with real 356A gauges.  

who would you have fill this order? 

Greg at Vintage Motorcars(who hired the crew and took over old premises of Vintage Speedsters in CA, but may not have all inventory due to setting up shop currently),

or Beck/Special Edition in Indiana.

Vintage guys, drive vintage cars, drink good vintage and are part of the viticultural heritage of California. 

 Think i might go with real 356A gauges

Just remember that the A&B tachometers were mechanical (cable driven) and not electronic so won't work "off the shelf" with a VW engine.  You'll have to go to a '65 356C to get an electronic tachometer (and the faces are different) or have the early one converted to electronic (more $$$).  Plus you may be replacing 6v for 12v bulbs on gauges too.

i can use a vw cable for the speedo, and yeah i have tons of 12v bulbs. i do 6v to 12v conversions a lot for people here in San Antonio. Prefer not to use electric, i know it's way better but I wanna be more authentic with this build.  

TJ Ward posted:

i can use a vw cable for the speedo, and yeah i have tons of 12v bulbs. i do 6v to 12v conversions a lot for people here in San Antonio. Prefer not to use electric, i know it's way better but I wanna be more authentic with this build.  

How are you planning to drive that cable driven tachometer?

yeah i know won't work.  I'll get the repops from Beck

OK, just about ready to bite the bullet and make the order for everything. But one more question. Wiring? Vintage or Beck?