I have a 2006 Vintage Speedster, and live in Cambridge, MA. I'm looking for a good repair shop in my area (Cambridge, Watertown, Belmont, Boston, etc.).
Please let me know!
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Dana Johnson in Hopkinton, but mostly limited to engine work.
I don't know of any place in greater Cambridge, but you could try one of these shops:
http://www.typ356ne.org/sponsors/index.htm
G N Engineering does not work on Replicas, nor does Meister Restorations. KAchel Motors up in Lawrence migt be your best shot, but I would still highly recommend Dana Johnson in Hopkinton.
Address:
48 Chestnut St
Hopkinton,
01748-2554
Phone: (508) 435-4749
Thanks Gordon! Lawrence and Hopkington sound a bit far; but I'll take a look. And, will definitely check out the sponsors link...
Of course, there is always the "Good News Garage" (the Car Talk Guy's place) over on Hamilton Street in Cambridge.
Someone there must know old VW's... And I've heard they're crew are pretty good mechanics.
That is an *excellent* suggestion! Thanks; that will be my next stop... 
Second anniversary of Tommy's death is Nov. 3. I call that "The Tommy Magliozzi Memorial Drive a TD somewhere Day." Speedsters probably rate as well.
RIP... Feel like I listened to that show most of my life. Ironic to end up at their shop now; and I was born the year they started their business - '73!
PS Prarit (another member) also suggested I reach out to you with any general questions. Would that be alright? I'm already building a punchlist...
JMasonry posted:PS Prarit (another member) also suggested I reach out to you with any general questions. Would that be alright? I'm already building a punchlist...
That's what this site is all about. More answers to your questions than you'll know what to do with. Some right, some wrong, some relevant, some not. Ask at your own risk.
Thanks! Most of my punchlist items will go to the repair shop (when I find one); but here are a few I could use some guidance on:
-Do I need to do anything to winterize the car? I live in an apt bldg, and some distant garage walls are open to the elements. So, the car won't get wet, but it is exposed to winter cold and summer humidity. Do I need a fuel additive, etc.? Should I condition the leather to prevent cracking? (I'm shopping for a cover that protects from dust, but is still breathable. And, I'm considering a fully enclosed cover with a device that actively removes moisture from the air...)
-The fuel gauge face popped/broke off, going over a nasty bump. Any thoughts on where to source a replacement for those gauges, that will match the other Vintage guages?
What are you driving?
Thanks again!
Yes to fuel additive. I use Sta-Bil. If I had leather I'd clean and butter it up once a year. Probably ought to do that to the vinyl even.
Yes on the fuel additive.
I live in the Central Valley located in California. I drive my car year round so I'm no help in winterizing your car.
Are you certain you have leather? Kirk also uses a product called Allante and it looks and feels just like leather. Pull out the package shelf pad, (behind the seats), turn it over and find the excess material, and look at the back of the material. If it is white it is the Allante (Vinyl) material. Every month I use a leather/vinyl cleaner/moisturizer on the all the vinyl.
I'd call Kirk and see if he has just the gauge face. He might have a broken fuel gauge and would be willing to part with the face. Otherwise get a new gauge from him.
I have a 2001 built VS Speedster silver exterior oxblood interior. (Kirk calls it Wine)
Big Ed wrote: "Second anniversary of Tommy's death is Nov. 3. I call that "The Tommy Magliozzi Memorial Drive a TD somewhere Day." Speedsters probably rate as well."
Either that, or a '65 Dodge Dart 
JMASONRY - Are you Jim?
Anyway.....
Do I need to do anything to winterize the car?
Yes, either buy "Startron" or "Sta-Bil" Marine (it's dark blue-gray) and put the recommended amount into your gas tank. It's OK (and recommended) to run this stuff year round to combat the evils of alcohol in your gas and to keep the gas fresh(er) for up to 6 months. After putting it in the tank, drive around for ten minutes to get it into the carbs (that's important) and you're good to go.
Do I need a fuel additive, etc.? See above.
Should I condition the leather to prevent cracking?
I like "Leather therapy" but you won't find that in Boston, so get a good leather treatment at an autoparts store and use that.
I'm shopping for a cover that protects from dust, but is still breathable.
California Car Cover
And, I'm considering a fully enclosed cover with a device that actively removes moisture from the air...)
Whoa! High Tech, that......But they work much better if they're inside of an enclosed garage - a Parking garage allows very rapid environment changes that may overcome the little climate inside of the cocoon.
-The fuel gauge face popped/broke off, going over a nasty bump. Any thoughts on where to source a replacement for those gauges, that will match the other Vintage guages?
I would take a close look and see how the face popped off. Is it just the glass and bezel or did the entire face let go? Once you see how it failed, maybe it could be replaced by re-crimping the bezel. Short that, I would be tempted to "glue" it back on using a small amount of clear silicon caulk that didn't show. I assume that this is a stand-alone gas gauge. "Vintage" gauges are still out there - I think Speedway Motors carry them so you might find a full replacement out there, but the glass and bezel is held to the gauge body with a crimp - try fixing it first - a new unit probably won't precisely match what you have.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/...-Gauge-Set,5604.html
Oh, and Prarit is one Righteous Dude......
Thanks Robert! I'll do that check; but pretty certain its leather. There are some visual cues on the Vintage cars; and it definitely feels like a decent grade leather.
Who is Kirk? Would he have parts to fit Vintage cars? I believe there are different diameters out there... Also, I assume I'll need the full gauge. I could reattach the face I have with glue; but there doesn't seem to be a way to correctly 'fit' it...
You have the colors I was looking for (and about to build)! But, I found mine on a lucky search the night before confirming my order...
Thanks again!
Kirk owns Vintage Speedsters.
Of course; thanks Lane. I always remember his name differently...
JMasonry posted:Of course; thanks Lane. I always remember his name differently...
There is also Vintage Speedster Parts, which is different from Vintage Speedsters but they have all (well most of) the parts that fit our cars.
That's great; I hadn't seen that. Thanks!
Gordon, Thanks for *all* of the responses! Could you say a little more about this one:
And, I'm considering a fully enclosed cover with a device that actively removes moisture from the air...)
Whoa! High Tech, that......But they work much better if they're inside of an enclosed garage - a Parking garage allows very rapid environment changes that may overcome the little climate inside of the cocoon.
What kinds of changes do you think would outsmart the cocoon system?
Thanks again!
PS I'm Justin
I know this is probably too far for you but I'm using sport import in falmouth on the cape just over the bridge. Great guy with lots of knowledge use to race Porsche back in the days. One of his mechanic restore a real 356 for his dad and I heard that another replica was there last week. (Not too many on the cape) me and al Gallo. And I know al does the work himself.anyway just wanted you to know.
Thanks FEUFEU! Quite right that I'm trying to find something closer to Cambridge; but so far recommendations are spanning Falmouth to Natick, and places North. So, we'll see how it shakes out. Definitely appreciate the referral; thanks!
~Justin