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newbie - just bought this beauty in Palm Springs, CA

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ALBALB

Great looking car, Gary! Welcome to the Madness! (it'll make sense once you've owned your Speedster for a while ) And we're gonna need more pics. How much do you know about the engine- how big, and what's in it? How high does it rev with power? Is the car swingaxle or independent rear suspension? drums all around, discs on the front or on the back too? Is the wheel bolt pattern 4x130 mm (late VW)  or 5x205 mm (early VW)?

Troy SloanTroy Sloan Supporting Member
Theron posted:

Gary, What you have is a very nicely built Vintage Speedster out of the old Hawaiian Gardens operation.  I'm guessing it was sold maybe Park Place Ltd in Bellevue WA?  You will enjoy it immensely.

-=theron

I agree with Theron your car appears to be a Vintage built Speedster.  A quick Google for a company named "Speedster Recreation" does not show any such company.  Also, it highly unlikely that a Speedster builder in Washington state would not be known to this group.

It's also possible that this car could have been built by Vintage Motorcars of California Inc., in Hawaiian Gardens or by Vintage Speedsters in Arizona, but most likely it's one of Kirk's cars from the old Vintage Speedsters prior to the company being sold and moved to Arizona. 

Jack CrosbyJack CrosbyHot Springs, AR, VS RabyTypeIV

I'm confused.  The tail lights on your SOC post are beehives but on the listing with all the pix, it has the newer style oval tail lights.  Same with the rear mirrors---your post car has them on the doors while the listing seems to have them on the fenders.

The carpet set is either sourced from Vintage  (the original in Hawaiian Gardens) or from whoever made the Vintage carpet sets.  I know those carpet pieces intimately!

Next, one car has tan covering on the dash while the other one has a dark brown covering.  

I'd agree that it's most like a Kirk Duncan Speedster but I never knew his cars to use those style door insides with those model storage spaces and the radio surround.

The question is, did you get the same car that was in the listing?   In any event, both cars are sweet and good luck with your's---you will have great fun with it!

Pretty car---nice ride.  Congrats.

Last edited by Jack Crosby
Troy SloanTroy Sloan Supporting Member
Jack Crosby posted:

I'm confused.  The tail lights on your SOC post are beehives but on the listing with all the pix, it has the newer style oval tail lights.  Same with the rear mirrors---your post car has them on the doors while the listing seems to have them on the fenders.

The carpet set is either sourced from Vintage  (the original in Hawaiian Gardens) or from whoever made the Vintage carpet sets.  I know those carpet pieces intimately!

Next, one car has tan covering on the dash while the other one has a dark brown covering.  

I'd agree that it's most like a Kirk Duncan Speedster but I never knew his cars to use those style door insides with those model storage spaces and the radio surround.

The question is, did you get the same car that was in the listing?   In any event, both cars are sweet and good luck with your's---you will have great fun with it!

Pretty car---nice ride.  Congrats.

@Jack Crosby

The car with the bee hives is slowshoes and the one with the tear drops belongs to Gary.  Slowshoes was just making a comparison. 

Last edited by Troy Sloan
ALBALB
Gary Mitchell posted:
ALB posted:
Gary Mitchell posted:

Thanks - here's a link to the sellers post - it's what sold me initially - lot's of pics and info!

https://www.desertprivatecolle...ER-REPLICA-ROADSTER/

 

No engine specs or car description. They didn't even get the name right...

Not sure what you mean about the name but here’s the engine spec- 1600cc, air cooled, twin carb

The car is a Speedster replica. A Roadster is different. When driving in 3rd gear- how high does the engine rev with power?

Troy SloanTroy Sloan Supporting Member

Gary.   There is a very good chance your engine is larger than a 1600.  It's doubtful that the dealer you bought it from has the actual build sheet from Vintage Speedsters and is just going by the 1600 emblem on the rear.  Your car has the large engine compartment vent hole in the firewall behind the engine, which Vintage typically did not do on their cars with 1600 motors.  I suggest that you hold a mirror or your cell phone behind the fan shroud and look for a number written on the back of the shroud.  Vintage very commonly wrote the engine size on the back of the shroud.  I wouldn't be surprised at all if you see 1915 or 1776 written there, but there is no guarantee one way or the other if there is nothing there.

Let us know what you find. 

Troy SloanTroy Sloan Supporting Member

It's well known that Park Place doesn't build Speedsters and has been discussed on the SOC many times.  They are a reseller of Speedsters that were built by Vintage Speedsters.   They go to extraordinary efforts to make it appear that they actually build Speedsters.  The build sheet you have is most likely just information taken from the actual build sheet provided by Vintage Speedsters.

If it is accurate, you do indeed have a 1600cc motor, but check the back of the fan shroud anyway.

Hopefully, you didn't pay anywhere near that $39,000 on that build sheet.  The same car brand new, with a 1 year warranty, a very nice 1915cc motor, 3:88 transmission and a much higher build quality than the Vintage Speedsters builds would cost you around $34,440 from Vintage Motorcars of California Inc., in Hawaiian Gardens.

That doesn't mean you don't have a nice car, it is a pretty car.

Last edited by Troy Sloan
Robert MRobert M
Gary Mitchell posted:

Troy thanks again for info regarding Vintage, as I said at the beginning of this thread I’m a total newbie, so I appreciate all the comments and advice - maybe I should of done my homework before I bought but bottom line is it’s a beautiful vehicle and by far the best one I’ve seen to date - will report back next time I drive it.

And that is all that matters.

majorkahunamajorkahuna

Welcome to the madness. I lived in Seattle for 35 years and know Park Place's reputation is not stellar. Since the car is in Palm Springs it would be worth it to take to Greg at Vintage Motorcars and have it checked out. Do not be surprised if it needs a bit of sorting. Perhaps a previous owner already took care of it. Kirk's cars generally needed sorting when "new." Once this disease is in your blood it is hard to stop after the fact. My has gotten worse over the years and I just added a 50 year old Sailboat to the stable. 

 

Will HeschWill Hesch

Gary, that is a beauuuutiful car! I love, love, love the color: butterscotch pudding, my favorite!

I also love the flat-top tunnel where most Vintage e-brakes are found. It's interesting that whoever (Greg?) did the tunnel stopped forward of the shifter and left the round-top VW tunnel. 

Don't worry about spending a little extra for the car, you'll have plenty of opportunities to spend much more in the future! Just drive it and enjoy it!

Will

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