Ruby's got to go

I've always wondered if those old Zoom Tubes would fit a speedster ....  You have an old school flared speedy that looks the part and the 40mm Dells are worth some coin. People in the market fora car are looking for an upscale nearly spotless speedster as the majority do not have serious mechanical ability to make necessary upgrades and changes. In it's current patina, I would estimate that you can fetch in the $8,500 - $9,700 range.

IMHO some things that would need done, if purchased.

12 volt conversion.

Update gauges, new panel.

Detail everything, paint, interior, seat covers (replace), etc.

Full mechanical safety, etc.

I purchased a Speedster in similiar condition about 3 years ago. I have about $10K in updates. I'm guessing that would be needed to get your car to a $20K level.

Not sure how desirable a brown and red car is.

Prayer heading up for your brother.

I would guess it is not worth the effort to make this car interesting to us old farts. I think the market for this is a young single VW enthusiast. You will have a tough time getting more than $7K. Check the pricing for hot rodded VW on Samba. That is your competition, not "authentic" reproductions. 

Major - It appears to already be  12v.  Is it original gel coat?  Have you tried color sanding it and bugging it to make it really sparkle? All missed the Wide fives with centerline look wheels.

I'm thinking I would almost agree with your $7k valuation but with the current speedster market uptick and the motor having the right combo I think it will bring more. This is one of those projects that has good bones i.e motor trans chassis is the rest is something that can be addressed. Update the entire Interior:  Replace the gauges remove the lower dash panel and dash face vinyl,  new top & curtains, wheels & tires. lower the rear torsion, replace the mirrors and fresh paint.....$6500 -$7500 is my estimate to get it updated, that number along with my guestimate' current value  at the upper end of $9,700 the total investment if doing all the work except paint ...I figured in $2,400 for paint or take it to MAACO saving you some money and get their top end job, handing the painter and extra $100 prior to pant for pocket money to put a bit of extra effort into it) ....IF,  I were looking for another project ( I'm not)  I would jump at this one...

I don't know what it is worth, but prayers for your brother.

In my reply - bugging = buffing

Thanks for your input everybody, Roy, Major, Wolfgang, Bob, WNGD and The Doctor. Body color is the original gel-coat.  CMC came in white, ruby and black.  I think Wolfgang's is white but set so long it changed color.  Doctor I agree with your reevaluation; the second number is what I'm thinking.  One of my projects was to lower the rear.  The profile isn't eye pleasing.  My brother said he performed standard maintenance.  Turn the key and it goes every time.  Now I've got some work to do- advertise.  

I welcome further input.  Again, thanks everybody.        

 

Crawdad said  "CMC came in white, ruby and black."

Mine is Black - great FL color, huh?  I sold the Espar gas heater and black top and tonneau a few years ago.  Black was actually an extra $300 back in 1988.  I have the original cartalog - you'll be amazed that there were 9 gelcoat colors available!  They are:  beige, dove gray, white, primrose yellow, black, red, green, brown (I've never seen one in brown), and burgundy (your ruby).  Interiors were tan, white, black, burgundy and red with tops in tan, black and white.  Carpets brown, black, red and burgundy.

Even from the factory the gelcoat was not that bad - mine has survived 28 years getting beat up in garage/barn.  It came with a couple stress cracks behind door openings and I added nice chip to hood to prove it was a replica.  I did a little color sanding to remove duct tape residue and dull areas from a blue tarp flapping for over a thousand miles after trip south.  You have to get very very fine wet/dry sand paper 1200, 1500, 2000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 "grit".  Use lots of water and use care on sharp edges and radiuses.  When done you can buff with rubbing compound, polishing compound and carnauba wax.  Same techique can be used on the wheels and they will shine like chrome - use Mother's Aluminum polish at very end.  It is a lot of tiring work - best accompanied by lots of cold ice tea (or beer).

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Dennis,

Above everything else, you have our prayers for your brother's peaceful rest at his facility. 

I am very sorry to hear of the need to sell Ruby.  We still hope to have you join Robert, Davey and I on any of our group drive and you are welcome to drive Sharona.

I pray that you will get top dollar so that your brother will continue to have top care.  He is blessed to have a brother that really cares about him  

Tom L.

Wolfgang thanks for the CMC info.  You are one of many SOC go-to- guys for archival information and hands on experience.  Notice you didn’t reply to the 28 year old CMC project which hasn’t started.  Guess you’ve built up a callus on the subject  and ‘it just don’t matt-ah.  Fore get au bout it.’

Tom ‘Pepspeed’ thanks for your kind words.  Dale is fat, dumb and happy in assisted living.  I don’t imply he wouldn’t want full movement of arm and leg but he was quick to adjust to the reality of his limitations.  Thanks for keeping me in the local SOC cruise gang, Davey and Bubbles.  I’m not going away.

The other day I backed Ruby out and saw a small brake fluid puddle on the garage floor that would originate at the master cylinder location.  Master cylinder boot has evidence of fluid but no fluid on the floor.  After further observation I surmise fluid is ponding in the double wall and is leaking through a pan bolt on left corner, plus the aft fluid reservoir is empty and still a firm brake peddle, I caught that in time.  After cylinder removal saw the fluid is coming out of the weep hole at the bottom of the boot.  Looked for a rebuild kit and cheapest is $24 but found complete cylinder at Autozone for $20.  A new master cylinder; that could be the deciding factor to a prospective buyer  I'm sure the below images are typical familiar to many speedy/ VW owners. 

Wolfgang thanks for the CMC info.  You are one of many SOC go-to- guys for archival information and hands on experience.  Notice you didn’t reply to the 28 year old CMC project which hasn’t started.  Guess you’ve built up a callus on the subject  and ‘it just don’t matt-ah.  Fore get au bout it.’

Tom ‘Pepspeed’ thanks for your kind words.  Dale is fat, dumb and happy in assisted living.  I don’t imply he wouldn’t want full movement of arm and leg but he was quick to adjust to the reality of his limitations.  Thanks for keeping me in the local SOC cruise gang, Davey and Bubbles.  I’m not going away.

The other day I backed Ruby out and saw a small brake fluid puddle on the garage floor that would originate at the master cylinder location.  Master cylinder boot has evidence of fluid but no fluid on the floor.  After further observation I surmise fluid is ponding in the double wall and is leaking through a pan bolt on left corner, plus the aft fluid reservoir is empty and still a firm brake peddle, I caught that in time.  After cylinder removal saw the fluid is coming out of the weep hole at the bottom of the boot.  Looked for a rebuild kit and cheapest is $24 but found complete cylinder at Autozone for $20.  A new master cylinder; that could be the deciding factor to a prospective buyer  I'm sure the below images are typical familiar to many speedy/ VW owners. 

a

What is... A master cylinder?

Brake master cylinder.

a

I believe u have to prime the master cylinder, thinking put fluid in and pump the cylinder rod to get air out...id change the brake switch there since they fail all the time

barncobob posted:

I believe u have to prime the master cylinder, thinking put fluid in and pump the cylinder rod to get air out...id change the brake switch there since they fail all the time

Thanks for your input Bob.  After bleeding the cylinder I got a good peddle but still going to bleed all the wheels.  

Hey craw dad just wondering I've seen the car for a lil while now, what is your price going to be on it? Thanks.

Hi Btorius, Ruby was just purchase at 6,500.  Buyer is not local so wont see her and or see modification or refurbishment that might occur.  I see photos of your flair fender Speedy.  Like the dash configuration.  If I helped to build Ruby that is the gauge configuration I would select.    

Dennis 

Ok well glad you sold her, sad you can't see her get restored I wish I would have spoke up sooner I could have got in that price range. thank you for your response hopefully your brother will get some comfort.

Sent from my I

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