Project #27

Owned this older IM 5 years ago and recently bought it back from John Wiley. Hand crafted mild flares, shaved door handles, frenched lic plate, custom park and tail lights, cut down Acura seats & custom leather interior w/ molded dash, balanced 1835 w/ Dellorto's, super low bow Stay Fast chop top w/ a fabricated top carriage assembly... I Like This One !

Alan, you are a true craftsmen...love the chop top

I didn't build this one just did some upgrade details.

I remember when you bought it the first time (2005, right?). There are really some sweet details on this car.

I always had a likeing for this speedster, has only a few hundred miles on it and it's so well crafted both in and out.
Charlie Baker a high end VW Beetle restorer did the build and paint Mike Haverstock's Street rod upholstery ( minimum custom interior in his shop is now $10k plus) both here it Chambersburg PA they did the build over a two year period around 1997 -98 and still looks as good as the day it was completed. Will do that door weather strip today and need to order door popper solenoids.

Alan, I know the idea of keeping one for yourself may be a bit "out there" for you ;-), but if there ever was one that fits you, it's this one.

...I am going to register, tag and title this week, I either have to remove the plywood floor inserts or have the seat base cushions cut down because at 5'7" my head hits the low bow top. ~

You too tall, brother!

I like Mr Haverstocks work on the dash and doors. The dash pad reminds me of a 57 Ford dash pad very slick.

Yeah even the door top rails blend nicely into the dash. The bumped out kick panels hold speakers too. All the various panels have a perfect fit that match up to the next one with just a few out of sight screws holding them securely in place. He must have spent many hours making templates before final fabrication. The one piece console is super slick too. It would be nice to make these somehow could be copied i.e. made in ABS plastic, they would fit early IM, VS JPS and CMC.

That's a pretty neat car, Alan. But I'm really not a fan of that wheelset on that car...

Not sure what should be on it, maybe a bonneville salt flats looking wheel cover - you know, a smooth disc? A set of gas-burners would look good with the right spacers.

angela

Does the windshield have more slope/angle to it than the standard Speedster? It is a looker but I agree with Angela about a change of wheels.

Stock windshield.
Probably will change out the wheels to either Eagle 117's I use or Torque thrust II that were on the flame speedster.

I'm thinking like Angela. Total 'outlaw' look with discs like Ken Vela's ride...

Of the two you listed, Alan, I like the Thrusts.

Alan, remind me again. What is not to like about the wheels you have on the car? Not only do I think they look absolutely GREAT on that car, I love the finish...which is not apparent in the photos. The matte finish fits that roadster to a T. Much more elegant than a common everyday chrome finish.I honestly believe that the person who originally chose those wheels hit a home run. Obviously, I feel you will be making a mistake to change them. Equally obvious, everyone here has an opinion. Follow your heart.

Where's TC when you need him?

Personally, I think the wheels now on it are BORING! Sorry, but I had to say it. Didn't they run something like that on a Saab in the '70's?????

For a change, those on the white car look more organic -a bit feminin, in a good way, but not in keeping with the "hot rod" look of the rest of the car.

Those on the second red car look more "old school hot rod" - MUCH more in tune with the "Carson-style" top and the squatted stance. Don't forget to make the wheels wide to go with the lowered stance, too. Seven or eight inch wide. THAT would be "BAD ASS"!!!!!!

Ken's car gives me wood...

angela

Angela, I can picture that...

There's so many neat touches on that car - it deserves a magazine spread. It's KILLER!

angela

Thanks... it was featured in the old Kit Car magazine when built around '92 -'93 it still has only a couple of hundred miles on it. Maybe I'll collar Jim Youngs ( KKB Magazine) at next year's Carlisle and have him or hook up with Max Zimmer to write the tale.
Over the winter, I would like to find a source that could do ABS injection molds to copy the center console, kick panels, lower dash panels, door top, rails, those finish off the driver's compartment and would make for a nice upgrade for a VS JPS CMC etc. I added a leather and tweed trunk photo.

Well, I guess I am not a true fan of the stripped-down hot-rod Speedster look, although there are some truly cherry versions of this kind around, this one included. The workmanship (fit/finish) is supreme, and I must say it it is well integrated. It all works together, inside and out. Not my cup o' tea, but truly stunning.

Yeah, but when he gets around to making copies of that console, I want one.

In Burgundy, please......

And THAT is how the ends of the dash are supposed to meet the door bumpers!

Someone find me an injection mold facility that will do them in ABS plastic ...two dozen of each piece and I'll pull the pieces over the winter and have them made up and available.

Al,

I have an injection molding place about five miles from my house. Pass it every day on the way home from work. I'll get the contact info for you.

Paul

Thanks Paul !

That's probably handier than my places. I have several in Mass. and CT that I used with EMC to do injection molds and RIM molds of computer panels.

Also, Jerome was in that business on the tooling end and might be able to help, too.