"Speedster in NE PA" or near by! Who has one?

Hi Folks;

My Name is Russ & I reside in the Pocono Mtns of PA: I`ve been a "British Car Crazy" person for a Really long time:

I`m quite interested in potentially purchasing a "356 Speedster" (Not a Widebody) but I`ve never driven one etc etc: I have`nt even seen one around the Area!

Should there be someone in the "Tri-State" area that has one; Either For Sale or that I can just see & Drive; Would be Greatly Appreciated:

Thanx, Russ
Email: toysrus@ptd.net

I just thought of something:

There "WAS" a gent who resided in "Williamsport, PA" who quite often had Speedsters For Sale on ebay!

Have`nt seen or heard of him in quite awhile: Where is he? If your reading this Thd; Please contact Myself:

Thanx, Russ
Email: toys@ptd.net

Feel free to drive mine; Baltimore area.

Russ, Cory is most generous in letting folks drive his incredible car, but I have to say that it is not indicative of the "normal" Speedster - if, in fact, there is such a thing. No, his is like a Ford GT compared to a Ford Mustang relative to most Speedies. That said, driving it is a high-octane hoot. In PA there are several Speedsters (Bill Drayer, Tom DeWalt, and others) that I'm sure would be happy to take you for a ride. Not sure just how close they are to you, though.

Russ,
I live in Wilmington, DE. You are more than welcome to come down and drive mine.

Oh yeah, Russ, you said that you have been a "British Car Crazy" person for years and I have to admit to the same affliction. I owned and showed a '65 MG Midget for 10 years and still love just about anything from "Old Blighty". That said, I wanted something different this go-around, and have found these cars, and the folks associated with them, to be a blast. Please come to Carlisle next May. If you don't already have one by then, you'll want one. Also, I believe that next year the Carlisle folks plan to honor "all British" instead of one single marque for the import part of the show.

All British? Woo Hoo! I hope that means that there will be plenty of Morgans to drool over. Don't get me started; that's still an itch that hasn't been scratched.

John, I just threw up in my mouth a little...

C'mon, od, don't you like the idea of a car that requires an annual termite inspection?

What in the wide, wide world of sports is going on here?
Chevrolets, British cars? Ferraris? Early 911 lang-schnozes?
I did take a nap yesterday ... Did I sleep like Rip van Winkle?

I looked out my front door, and even my Volkswagen was gone!

Russ
Send me an email rocky356 at epix.net
I am in Blakeslee area

Rocky

Russ,
Bill Metcalf is the guy you must be thinking of who builds Spyders and Speedsters in Williamsport, PA. I haven't talked to Bill in awhile so I don't know if he's still building them. He had been importing Vespas and talked about building Cobras. The phone number I have for him is (570) 772-1816.
Jim
ProSpyder
P.S. I'm a recovering Brit car junkie: nine Jaguars, a TR4A and a few other autos from across the pond.

Russ I am in Easton, Pa -Just off Rt33 and I have a 2006 Beck Speedster and a 2007 JPS Coupe. Be happy to hook up and let you check them out.

Russ,
I'm in Phoenixville, PA (near Valley Forge Park). If interested, you can take a look and drive mine.
Greg

"WOW"! I thought the "British Car Forum" was active! I have`nt been back here since yesterday & today I rec`d an email from "Rocky" (Thanx by the way) that I had a bunch of replies:

This is really Impressive and goes without saying; "I`m very grateful to All You folks to offer a Helping hand & check out Your "Speedies"; I believe thats the correct term?

I most recently had sold a `66 Triumph TR4A-IRS (Nice One) to a gent in the Pittsburgh area: I`ve had them all from "Midgets to E-Type Rdstrs": They are a kick to drive & appreciating like crazy:

I`ve always wanted a Speedster and still do: Un-Fortunately a "Real One" is out of the Question: So, I`m going back & Re-Reading the replies here & I`m certain you folks will be hearing from Myself shortly: Sun. I`m going to NJ to view an Intermeccanica that really looks Good:

See Ya All Later & Thanx Again;

Regards, Russ

Hi Lane;

Just Curious: Where`s Mt. Pleasant, SC near?

We always go for a Vaca to "Fripp Is" (Beaufort Area) but I`m seriously considering moving to the "Greenville, SC" Area; If & When My Home sells here in PA: Anyone out there int in a 3K sq ft Contemp not far from the Pocono Raceway?

I`m looking to get as much info on Greenville as possible especially the "Travelers Rest Area":

Feel free to contact Myself;

Thanx, Russ
Email: toysrus@ptd.net

Greenville,SC is the largest growing city in the Southeast... and I think I heard 3rd in the country not too long ago.

Mt. Pleasant is a suburb of Charleston. Kevin Haskins (odwagerty) and I get together occassionally for Speedster-related things. I've heard nice things about Greenville, though I've spent no time there. As much as I like many things about Charleston, my wife and I really want to get up to the mountains at some point. Greenville would be a candidate for us, too, even though it's pretty much just in the foothills.

Hi There Tom;

I was speaking with "Rocky" yesterday at a Cruise Night gathering here in Saylorsburg: We got to chat a bit relative to "Your" Speedster: I would "LOVE" to see it & hear Your opinions:

I did`nt get to see the one in Jersey yet: Have an Appt. this coming Sat AM: Can`t wait:

Rocky gave me quite a bit of info in a very short period of time relative to Pros & Cons of these Speedsters so, "Thanx Rocky"!!

Thanx to All for the Invites to See, Drive & Learn more about these Great Toys!

Tom; Talk to You Shortly;

Whats this Sun look like for Yourself? Aug. 18th:

Regards, Russ
Email: toysrus@ptd.net

Hey Tom D.

I just tried emailing yourself at: hacksaw@mac.com & It got returned un-deliverable?

So; Here I am again: Tom; Instead of Sun (Calling for Rain); What about tomorrow (Fri 8-17 anytime or Sat 8-18 afternoon)?

Please let me know as I`m dying to see Your Toys! Especially your Sweet Speedster: Its virtually exactly what I`m most int. in; Color everything!!

Thanx, Russ
Email: toysrus@ptd.net

Hi Tom;

"OOPS"; Missed the "57" in your email address!!

Regards, Russ

Hi There James P.

I just got off the phone with "Bill Metcalf": He`s "HEAVY" into "Factory Five Racing Cobras" but is still building Speedsters:

He highly recommends "Beck", Of Course: Predominately cause their Dimensionally Correct & offer the Tube Chassis:

He had mentioned to; "RUN, DON`T WALK" away from VW Pan Built Cars!

Well; I`ll get a birds eye view tomorrow: Going to see the IM in NJ &`06 Beck in PA:

By viewing these two cars; I believe (Hope) to be a More educated consumer:

Thanx to All for the Info;

Regards, Russ

.....He had mentioned to; "RUN, DON`T WALK" away from VW Pan Built Cars!

Tube chassis are great and the manufactures of same are stand up individuals. However for a first time buyer there is absolutely nothing wrong with a based Speedster what so ever.
.....except the guy doesn't sell this type...hence, their biased half baked comment.
It's clear to me and others when a vendor doesn't convey the real facts it's time to move on and inquire elsewhere as their motive is clearly ...me, me .....me .

I love my Beck, but Alan's right - there are many perfectly good pan-based cars out there (some of which he built).

Hey Russ,
Where in NJ are you going to be tomorrow morning? I have a VS you're welcome to drive as well if you're in the north Jersey area.
Shoot me an email if your interested, I'm only home till 1 then my family and I are headed to the Outer Banks.

f-kelly1@comcast.net

was in Duck 1st week of June--one of our favorite places
have fun!

I spent almost every summer of my yute in corrola. That is what beach life should be!

Yup! Pam and I spent a week in Corolla several years ago, and we both agree that it is reeeeeeeally nice.

As a matter of fact we're headed to Corolla as well. We love it down there, haven't been there since right after 9/11 so I'm looking forward to it. Just put the cover on my Speedy until I get back. Let's hope Hurricane Dean doesn't make any hasty changes in direction!

Perhaps first get your feet wet with a used Vintage / JPS Speedster
(older CMC's are ok if you are willing to upgrade and tinker as many have shade tree assembled)
A used VS can be acquired in the $13 to $18k range, hop in and enjoy it for a while, they tend to hold there value, when ready sell it and move up to a new speedster, order it the way you want it.

~Alan

Hi Alan;

Just Curious; Why did`nt you mention an "IM"? I don`t believe a "New Build" will be in My Future:

As I had mentioned; If It would cost me $30K - $50K for a New Speedster; I would go out and get a Really Nice "Jag E-Type Rdstr" first (My True Love Affair): I`ve had 3 of them (Series I & II) & will get another in the near future:

So; In the meantime; I`m on the hunt for a Used Speedster to play with for a couple of seasons:

Regards, Russ

Russ,
Hmmmmm a moment of old timers I suppose but then again, it's not that often a used IM comes becomes available.
From the posts here, many have previously owned other makes of speedters then step up to an IM. These owners tend to hang on to their cherished rides. ~Alan

So Allen;

What your suggesting is that an "IM" is a better quality built car? Just curious again, Why do you say that People "Step-Up" to an "IM"? Whats it have that the other marques don`t have?

Regards, Russ

Before the flame wars start on the above comment (its like asking someone who has better looking/smarter children...) Let me interject.

A car that sells new as a turn-key for $25K is not going to be exactly like a car that sells new turn-key for $50K.

Doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure out that twice the money will probably buy you something quite a bit nicer. Like in real estate. $250K will buy a pretty nice house in most places. But $500K will buy a REALLY nice house in most places - right?

Okay guys. Flame on.
angela

One pays dearly for a nice home .... well said and thank you Angela :)

This is a boring flame war.... shouldnt there be flames...

The only comment I can make, being a fairly new owner and contributor to this site, is that there is a car out there for everyone that wants one in just about every budget range (over 10K dollars). It appears that they all seem to make their owners equally happy no matter how much was spent, so buy what makes you happy and be happy.

James