Speedster owners/clubs/rallies in San Francisco Area

I am anticipating having a Speedster built later this year, or going for the jugular and purchasing one from a member (hopefully), thus bypassing the stresses that go along with the build. I am the newest of the newbies, but have read all the posts on speedsterowners, checked out Kit Cars, the VW mag, talked to John Steele of JPS, and Tom McBurnie of Thunder Ranch. Bill George was also kind enough to give me some insights.

Problem is, I have not seen a speedster on the road and have never even sat in one. So....are there any owners in the SF Bay area who can direct me to any get-togethers where I could check out some cars and get some opinions as to what I should look for in these cars? Bill Steele (IIRC) was from San Francisco and seemed to be one of the gurus, but I know none of the folks up here in the hinterlands. I am from Santa Rosa. I would travel to the L.A. area for a good show with some quality builds and knowledgable owners. Or...if anyone has a car for sale, send me an e-mail.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Barry Schmidt, Santa Rosa 707-833-2585

Barry,

Look no farther than the 4 sale thread on this site. Stan Galat has a really nice, low mile JPS with a hardtop! A very nice car with some very desirablke options. Go for it and welcome to the merry band of Speedy nuts.

Bruce

Barry,
Dale Bates puts together a lunch once a month usually on Thursdays and sometimes on a Friday (please?), where you would be able to not only see a few speedsters but to shoot the sh*t with the guys. Watch for the posts in Events.
With that said you are more than welcome to come up to my neck of the woods and check out my car.
Terry

Terry: Thanks for your kind offer. I may well take a day and travel to Grass Valley to check out your car and get some ideas....and Bruce, I have already talked to Stan Galat. His car is definitely immaculate, but after reading all the opinions on this website, I am leaning toward the 2110cc engine, depending on all the other variables, such as gas mileage, reliability, ease of repair, ease of maintenance, etc., etc.

I never realilzed that there were so many ways to build a car and feel like a freshman at his first day in Chemistry: snowed. But not for long. With guys like you to help me thread my way through the maze of information available, I will hopefully join you with a car later this year. At this stage, however, I feel that I don't know enough to ask the right questions, but I am getting there.

I have to laugh. I talked to an owner named Ken Romney yesterday. He has a Type IV speedster for sale (he said he is awaiting a check from a buyer in New York). Wants to sell the car because he is moving to the Sierra. I had no clue what a type IV engine is, until he told me that engine was used in the Porsche 914. I used to own one. The car was a five-speed and was nothing less than a hopped-up roller skate. I might have had it today, but had to give it up during a nasty divorce in 1978. As I recall, they made the engine in a 1.8 and 2.0 or 2.2 litre, but I don't remember for sure, other than the engine I had was the largest size offered in the four-cylinder. They also made a few sixes. Super fun car.

I had phoned Ken in response to an ad he had placed in AutoTrader. He called me right back and we chewed fat for at least 20 minutes. Helluva guy. The problem in my mind with the Type IV was gas mileage. He mentioned that he got only 14 or 15 miles per gallon. I feel the need for a bit more than that.

Barry

Barry,
You are also welcome to come out to Dixon (I-80 between Vacaville and Davis) and have a look at my speedster. Let me know.

Well I'm not sure, but I think gas mileage on at T1 2110 isn't going to be too appealing either. You should definitely look at a smaller engine if gas mileage is a goal?

I drove a 1776 and I drove my 2000+cc engine speedster. Personally I didn't feel much of a difference, but you shoulc drive both to see what you think?

You know you could buy Stan's car and drive it for a couple of years and then if you feel you need the extra power then have a bigger one built. This is what almost everyone does. In fact I bought used first and don't regret it one bit. The key to buying used in my opinion is to stick with a professionally built car and one that isn't too old and you should be just fine.

Barry,

I live in Benicia. I am maybe an hour away from Santa Rosa. Give me a call sometime, 707.246.0924. If you come down to look and drive my car you'll get a sense of pretty good seat position, good brakes, visibility issues and overall comfort (or lack thereof)

I'd be happy to show you the differences I have come to identify between say a JPS and a Vintage.

It'd be better still if you made one of our Thursday lunches because then you could see a couple of clean cars too. You could see what say $20-$35K will buy you and then $40-60K (my guess)will buy you.