I know nothing about speedsters. Wondering if anyone can recommend guides, videos, etc that get into the details of what and why and how everything is built and works on them? Where everything is located, basic operation, identifying model years, etc. would be great to start with something like a Doug demuro video.
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I'd suggest that you start by perusing the websites of Vintage and Special Edition to get a feel for costs, styles and options.
Joining this site as a paying member opens up the resources section to you. Really valuable info!
Then just start topics or ask questions in the help section. There are two decades of data on here, all about replica 356's.
These cars aren't that complicated.
Thanks! I am a supporting member already. I joined to see the resources section. I have an issue that prevents me from spending much time at the computer or tilting my head downwards to read, but I can pull up videos on the TV or iPad. I am hoping to find something that's easier for me to consume. I'll start making my way through the vintage and special edition.
Unfortunately, there really aren't any magazines about replica cars these days, so this site is about the best place to look. As Bob mentioned, Beck Speedsters and Vintage Motorcars Inc (those are both links) are the two best places to start looking for what's available. Other past manufacturers are Intermeccanica in Canada and Thunder Ranch in California. We often see used cars from those builders showing up on the sales sites. There were/are a few other builders, but those I've mentioned are the best (and easiest/safest to deal with). There are a small handful you really want to avoid. If you get serious aboout this we'll all try to steer you away from them.
Everyone likes how these cars look, and newbies all think they're going to be a lot like driving a Mazda Miata - They are NOT! They are like driving a replica of a 60+ year old air-cooled car with a lot of the same eccentricities and warts. We usually encourage newbies to ask for owners in your area to let you visit, sit in it (Oh - They also don't easily fit anyone over 6' 1" and/or heavy people), discover what they are and even drive one or two. That is almost a "gotta do" with these cars. There are several gatherings of the faithful around the USA during each year: Carlisle, PA in the spring, San Luis Obispo, CA during the Summer and some rides in the Smoky Mountains in the Fall.
Because of all the caveats, I usually encourage people to buy a used car first, drive it for a season or so and then decide if that is for you or not or maybe consider a new build to your (now enlightened) specs.
So to sum up, do your homework by reading past posts on here, try to find a car to look at and keep asking questions.
There are some good YouTubes out there. Some compare replicas ($30-50k) to the OEM real thing ($200-300k). By price, you can easily justify a replica over (potentially rusty, costly to repair original). Handling and performance is probably greater in a replica. Also, look on Bring-A-Trailer for replicas - prices have skyrocketed!
Have you ever driven a VW bug? Stock bug was 53 hp at peak and car was 1800 # (unladen weight) and is virtually same as a replica speedster. Speedsters are lower, 11" shorter, and no upper steel cabin. A A 1600 cc single carb engine was original but Speedsters typically have dual carbs, stroker cranks, hotter cams so 80 to 150 hp (1776 to 2110 cc) are more likely.
Most Speedster are shortened VW pan based - usually with disc brake conversion at least in front. They can often be registered as they year donor VW. Newer ones have custom tube frames with better suspension. Rear discs can be added to all (although some have tight rear wheel fitment).
Most say they have a '57 Speedster replica. Earlier models had bee hive (round) rear brake/running lights while '57 mostly had the familiar oval tail light.
Officially Speedster had emergency fabric tops and removable side curtains. There are Convertible D and Roadsters replica (OEM produced '59 up) replicas that have taller windshields and tops and rollup windows --- BUT they aren't really minimalistic Speedsters (albeit more practical and heavier).
Replica air cooled engines range from bug to Porsche 914 T4 to 911 6 cylinder engines. Most use built 4-speed bug trans but a 5-speed conversion or the Porsche 901-like transaxle can be used. Water-cooled engines like Subaru and VW/Audi are also out there. Even mid-engine vs tail-mounted configs.
Many (FiberFab and Classic Motor Carriages (most prolific # kits cranked out from '79-93 ish) were DIY built. You bought an $8k body kit and used your '56-74 VW bug. So quality varies but many are unrecognizable now from vendor-built cars.
Many companies started up and disappeared over the years. Intermechannica (IM) was probably seed back is late '70s. The sold molds rights to CMC in '79 after building like 602 Speedsters. IM moved to Canada and built high-end "Speedsters" until like 2 years ago. CMC closed shop at FL DA insistence in '94. Vintage Speedster build like 1400 cars - sold company, moved from CA to AZ, and went belly up last year (sitting on cars with big deposits). SAW/SAS in KY lasted a few years before they quit producing cars and still are taking suckers deposits. Ryan, Carrarra, Rock West Racing and ThunderRanch were short lived.
There are UK models (Chesil) and French (APAL) plus Mexican repros out there too.
Beck SE (IN) and Vintage Motor Cars (CA) are now leading reputable US builders. JPS (CA) still out there. Kitman (CA) produces just the Speedster fiberglass shells and chassis - so are pretty much only US source for a DIY.
There are also some Coupe replicas out there - but build is more involved and costly.
