Soft-tops

Alohas all,

I'm new to these cars, and plan on rewarding myself with a Spyder or a Speedster once I finish my education. So, I apologize if I ask some rather obvious questions.

I was wondering, are soft-tops with side curtains available for all the different manufacturers, or do the tops from certain manufacturers only work with their versions of the Spyder? Its probably apparent to you guys that I live in Hawai'i, but by the time I purchase one of these cars, I'll probably be on the mainland, so I'd be more worried about bad weather. I want to be able to drive one of these things almost year-round, not just as a trailer queen or Sunday driver.

mahalos,
Joel

Aloha Joel;

If you just hang out here and read a lot and visit spyderclub.com and hang out and read a lot and ask your quetions, you'll find most of the folks here very helpful.

The tops are almost NOT interchangeable from Spyder to Spyder even within the makes. What I mean by that is a top made for a vintage 550 Spyder will not usually fit without some adaptation to another Vintage, becks are the same and on it goes.

I hope to be importing a Spyder shortly and I have a top maker here who will fabricate a rag top to specifically fit each Spyder. That way each one will fit. This is a more expensive way to go about it but at least the top will fit.

I won't even mention the gymnastics required to get in and out of a 550 Spyder with the top up. Mostly, you will have to get it pull the top over and "button it down" from the inside to be anywhere near practical. But then, I'm older, bigger and less able to bend and flex like I once did. Hope this helps. Jim

Alohas Jim,

Thanks for the response. Another question for you. Do these tops come with side curtains? I know that a lot of the Speedster guys only have the side curtain option (with the exception of Intermeccancia offering full, wind-up windows). Are these Spyders pretty much a non-daily driver type of car? FYI - by the time I can get one of these, I'll probably be living in Portland or Seattle.

mahalos,
Joel

Mahalo Joel;

You can have side curtains made. As to the daily driver question. For the Guys in the sun-belt states, yes, they could easily be a daily driver, if you are speaking about Maine or New York, probibly not very real. Here in Southern California about 300 days a year w/o top! So plan wisely.

I have a friend in Georga who drives his Superformance Cobra Replica every day rain, shine, sleet, snow. But, he's not the norm.

Alohas Jim,

Thanks again for the response. Its interesting you mentioned your friend in Georgia w/ the Cobra. I've actually been debating between a 550 Spyder, 356 Speedster/Roadster, or FFR Cobra replicas. Either way, I would purchase the car as intended for daily driver use. Of course, I still have a ways to go before I can purchase the car, but you gotta set a goal/reward for yourself while in college. Helps with motivation during finals week. :)

Another question for you: how 'comfortable' is your Spyder? I have been looking at as many photos as possible of members' cars, and it seems that most people try to stick to keeping the cars in spec with period equipment. Not too many appear to be upgraded with Recaro or Sparco type seats, roll-bars, or defrost. I guess these are actually kind of silly questions, considering the 550 is essentially a road legal racecar.

Well, just a few things I am wondering about.

Mahalos again,
Joel

Joel,

Don't move to Seattle or Portland. Move to So Cal or Arizona and enjoy your Spyder. Just my 2 cents - from experience. I've live d in Hawaii, Portland, Seattle and now So Cal.

Mike

Alohas,

Portland has the best and most micro-breweries in the world. I HAVE to move back to Portland. :)

Hawai'i and So.Cali are way too crowded for me. I remember driving into L.A. from Barstow once (whichever highway that is) and coming down out of the mountains (San Bernadinos?) just seeing a huge mass of brown air...L.A. I decided right then, that I would never permanently move to L.A.

I don't want to stay in Hawai'i, because the only motorsports that are big down here are drag racing and motocross. They don't have a roadtrack, only SCCA Solo racing.

alohas,
Joel

I have to agree with you...beer is a good reason to find a home! Have you thought of Germany or Belgium?

Mike

LA's not that bad towards the coast. Just about ten times more expensive. I'm sure I'm exagerating (I don't live there, kinda near there)

I like your goal/reward idea, I think I will adopt it. Only five and a half more years to go!! haha

Joel?? Have you concidered Tampa FL ? We have several Micro Breweres here, one of witch just won the national title. And there is an air strip about 45 min NE (3 for me) that has regular rases. Mild winters, but you got to watch the sumer thunder "showers" as thay could easly make it a real 'tub' Doug

Aloha Doug,

My Grandmother just moved to Naples, so who knows...when I go to visit her maybe I'll dig it. But I heard the mosquitos are ridiculous over there.

~Joel

Joel, regardless of where one might live, buying a Spyder replica for daily transportation would be about the dumbest thing I can think of with the possible exception of a John Deere tractor. Spyder replicas are probably the world's most impractical (and uncomfortable) car.

An Intermeccanica Speedster (electric windows for better visibility and weather protection) or convertible "D" with an Espar gas heater for year-round heat/defrost would be a much better choice.

George,
I don't believe a person would even consider a Spyder as daily transportation. I believe the Spyder is welcomed by those who don't want a run of the mill rear engined car, Speedsters are nice, but in my opinion, are not and will never be as much fun as the much lighter and better balanced Spyder.

John, it's all relative. If I want light, well balanced, and quick/fast I'll buy a vintage mid-1970's Ducati 750 SS Desmo motorcycle. Or if I want to include a passenger I can take my somewhat modified 1976 BMW R90S out of mothballs.

Actually, the R90S is more comfortable than a 550 replica for both rider and passenger.

George,
You are not quite as good as Slick Willie Clinton at changing subjects in mid stream but keep on trying.

Aloha,

I'm not considering the Spyder as daily transportation anymore. I've heard from enough folks about its impracticality. That's alright though. I suppose if a person were to use it as daily transportation, the best place to do so would either be So. Cal. or here in Hawaii.

George...I'm still interested in Speedsters. Just haven't been around the website lately and when I have, haven't really seen much to which I could contribute. Besides, I just finished my B.A. and it seems like eternity before I'll be earning enough to even buy an old rusted out 356 coupe let alone a nice IM Speedster. Wish me luck.

aloha,
Joel