Please Help!! Buying a Speedster....

Hi All,

What do you guys think of this speedster on craigslist? http://bakersfield.craigslist.org/car/540568593.html

I'm thinking of purchasing it.
I

Not a whole lot of info there....I have not heard of the builder, though.

The crack on the right side of the windshield was probably caused by a passenger pulling on the top right corner of the windshield frame while entering or exiting (a very common cause of windshield breakage on these cars). The windshield frame is a handy "handle" but it simply can't take that sort of bending.

Beyond that, 3 owners with less than 2,500 miles tells us that either they bought a car that didn't live up to expectations, or there might be something wrong with it.

Find out where it is, and maybe someone on here locally can check it out for you.

gn

2500 miles in 5 years? I put 6k on my car this last year here in the Central Valley... Bakersfield is pretty hot in the summer: I'd wonder if it's been over-heated. Does it have an oil cooler? Who built the motor?

I would try to find out who Custom Coach Works is and research who, what , when and where this car was put together Chance might have it that the two previous owners just didn't fit into the speedster lifestyle ( too busy, wife doesn't like it, the owners were 6'5" and 300 lbs, etc.). On the other hand it just might be a lemon.
Check out the thread" Ready For A Replica Speedster".. lots of good hints on what to look for when buying. When you buy on the internet you do take a chance.. Good luck.

Thank you so much on your feedbacks....

Looks to be a FF/CMC kit to me - check for the hibachi grill on engine lide as a give away.

I spoke to the owner this morning; he says the speedster runs somewhat hot. A notch over the middle of the temp tack. From what I remember, my old speedster from Vintage always ran cold. I wonder if that

I think Custom Coach Works made MGTD replica's way back when....

Joe:

Just hang on a bit. Speedsters with less than 5000 miles and in that price range are showing up on here and on ebay all the time. Some of them a few of us are familiar with and we can give you good guidance, and some of them (like this one) are totally unfamiliar to us at all.

Trust Kirk at Vintage Speedsters on this one. Let it go and keep watching ebay or craigslist and see what pops up. It is difficult to retrofit better cooling into these cars (look here to see what's involved: http://www.speedstershop.com/viewtopic.php?t=349) and if it's overheating now, it'll definitely need better cooling.

Let us know what you find and we'll try to be of help.

gordon
One of the "Speedstah Guys" from Beaufort, SC

Looks to be either an old Intermec or a Fiberfab or CMC.

I really appreciate all your help guys...thank you..

JOE BUY MINE IM IN SIMI

Thanks for the offer Gerd, but I'm looking for the narrow body...

Joe - ya have to look the car over to determine if it's a good buy and worth it. I sure wouldn't go solely by a seller of another brand. Florida source = CMC (FF). Majority of CMC/FF were owner built so hugh variation in finished quality (plus they folded up in 1992 - so 15+ years old). Over heating could be as simple as installing the often missing heat shield around engine bay. Or if modified engine - a remote oil cooler or replacing the cheap chromed TIAWAN tin with OEM cooling pieces. Mileage is mileage on speedo or DMV verified mileage? Those look like 914 gauges. Take some pictures of it - dash, engine and engine lid grill. CMC did supply a build plate - but often builder lost it or never installed.

I dont' know squat about the older versions from the various sources, and so can't give you any good useable advice. But I can't escape a feeling that this car would be nothing but trouble. Buy it sight unseen? Never. If the $$ seem to good to be true -- it probably is just that. On the other hand, if all of the parts are there and it really hasn't been driven all that much AND you want to get down and dirty and invest the time/$$ to make it right and so are willing to undo whatever the original owner did poorly, well, then maybe. I think this is how Alan Merklin operates. If he has any advice for you, take it.

Joe, If you are serious about getting a speedster you have to ask the question. Do I want to drive it or do you mind fixing it up while you drive it. I bought a cheap car, No I bought a bargain. I will be making quite a few changes to the car over the next 6 months or so. I probably could have found a better example for less than I will have ultimatly spent on my car. But would I have had the satisfaction about making the improvements, not likely. Part of the fun is the madness that comes with owning a speedster. Coping with the problems is part of the package, If you don't feel that you are prepared to put a bit of effort into a car then maybe you should wait for a better example or think twic about a replica or any other car that is more than 5 years old!