Speedster project 50

Speedster Project 50 update.   It's been a month since I last posted, I finished the interior, wiring, top and full tonneau cover. Added, fuel pump switch,  ignition cut off switch and 4 ways.  Changed the fan shroud added heater boxes and had to fabricate heat cable tubes that were MIA from the tunnel. Yesterday AM it came off the jack stands, switched the fuel pump on and it fired right off fine tuning the timing and mixture. My neighbor a town cop (a good guy) he was home so to not create a raised eyebrow, it was just a short few trips up and down my driveway. I have some odds and ends to do including heater box hoses that won't get here until Wednesday. Need to set 1/8" toe in and adjust the brakes & steering stops. I'm also doing a custom set of  Lexan side curtains that will take some time to do. Lastly a full detail. Photos Wednesday or Thursday ~

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I like that comment... good guy.

Yeah, Dr. Clock!

Speedster Project # 50 is completed and sold , photos here ~

Just to be clear.  Those are custom made windows, using my CruZin windows hardware.  My CruZin windows DO NOT completely fill the window opening when the top is up.

As Alan learned when making this custom set of windows it is not possible to make a set of "one size fits all" windows for top-up use on a Speedster.  Trust me, if it was I would have been selling them years ago! 

I love how the IM Speedsters side windows roll up into a tight fit. I Kit to convert our Speedsters to that would sell .

@Jimmy V. posted:

I love how the IM Speedsters side windows roll up into a tight fit. I Kit to convert our Speedsters to that would sell .

I think it could be done on your car Jimmy but it would be a one off.  Someone with skill could have to do it as you need to cut the top of the door and fiberglass a lip on both sides to hold a squeegee which is screwed in with SS screws on both sides then of course is the window custom cut to your top slope and some form of meeting place at the windshield.  I believe IM moves the windshield a bit closer to the driver then glues a rubber along the windscreen edge and the cut glass is shaped to go up and merge into the front window. 

Lots of neet engineering was done to do that on the roadster the edge is straighter. 

As my real estate agent used to say, Ray, you can buy that  

Getting back to the subject, Alan, absolutely stunning. 

 @Jimmy V.   look below ... not sure if window moves straight up or if it somewhat rolls up and into the windscreen edge... some cars do that, but having them ready at one button push is pretty handy as sometimes it rains and you only need to put up the side windows and not the top for light rain. 

How about we talk about the beautiful job Alan did on this speedster?  Maybe one of his best, but maybe one of his last.  

Of Course, Sadly we take for granted the amazing quality of Alan's cars. Amazing job once again Alan, Bravo! Forgive us for taking you for granted, one of the dangers of being top dog I guess.

Well, Alan.......

It might have taken you 49 to practice on, but you’re finally getting good at this.   

My hat is off to you, Sir!

and I’ll never take you for granted.  I might take Ramen Noodles for granted, but never you!

Alan,

Congratulations for a beautiful, absolutely flawless build!!

Cliff     

Very nice job Alan.  Is that a key lock I see for the engine lid? 

Thanks guys much appreciated from the SOC Gallery. Finishing the car this past week I looked at three other possible projects, slept on each one and backed away, full builds are just too much work and finally, out of the picture.... if I came across a light speedster or dune buggy project that might be ok. 

Troy , yes engine compartment has a key lock, some of the FF bodies did not come with the deck lid brackets fiber glassed in so I have done this simple fix a few times.

Side curtains ...Troy is 100% correct there is no way for Troy to be able to make generic side curtains to fit every speedster, there are just too many variables. 

Welcome to the sixties.... umm... I'll pass on that one. 

Alan, sweet job. As usual. Which is saying something from the sheer number of cars you've given another life to. Cheers!

The man is The Man.

Speedster Project 50 was picked up by the new owner this morning ...It will reside in Arlington, Virginia. The garage is empty, I am taking an extended break from this so it will, stay empty for a good while.

mmmm.  I wonder if we can believe that statement . 

I wonder how long that will be? Anyone want it on a pool to see how long?

 All kidding aside, you do some amazing work Alan. Have a nice break.

@IaM-Ray posted:

mmmm.  I wonder if we can believe that statement . 

@Jimmy V. posted:

I wonder how long that will be? Anyone want it on a pool to see how long?

 All kidding aside, you do some amazing work Alan. Have a nice break.

Only if it gets filled up by Greg's car. Quit procrastinating and get your car done Greg.

Flat towing it.  My kind of guy! 

@Robert M posted:

Only if it gets filled up by Greg's car. Quit procrastinating and get your car done Greg.

Finishing Greg's speedster is something that I truly would like to do, perhaps at a later date .

Congrats Alan - great looking build! You sound a little burned out- enjoy your time off. When you get the itch ...

consider this  - I have gotten back into motorcycles after 35 plus years and having a blast. Did a vintage restore on a 75 Honda 500 Twin for my first bike and it takes up so much less room then cars in your garage. The vintage bike market is going crazy right now with vintage Hondas and others from the 60's and 70's. West VA has a bunch of them in garages all over. Easy to work on and if original paint can turn a profit quick and very low initial investment and less time consuming to fix up. Check out your local CL and FB MP and people from church etc. Give me a call if you want to talk.

My Speedster needs to get done too...

Yeah, and you're closer to Alan. 

Schu stop dickin' around with weed whackers and and bikes and build your G-D Speedster already. Alan's going to be busy building @WOLFGANG's car!

Alan's going to be busy building @WOLFGANG's car!                   HUH ?

@Alan Merklin posted:

Alan's going to be busy building @WOLFGANG's car!                   HUH ?

Oh, didn't we tell you? 

But that's OK, Al.

All you have to do is beat Greg's time of 30+ years to finish it.

You could hire a bunch of Voc School kids and finish it over a semester and STILL be faster.

 @ SHU  There is a low mile ( 6k) Honda 450 sitting here in Elkins, WV for many years, w/ title . ...The motor turns . My friend John passed last year and it sits in the home shop, his wife wants me to sell it for her.  This is the "bike in the garage story you always hear of but alwaysa day late .

I drove one of them when I was a lot younger, it was ok but nothing to write home to mom about, but then I only rode it once, it might be good to go around town, slowly

I bought a brand new shiny Honda CB450 in 1973 and drove the crap out of it for 6 years. I sold it in 1979 and haven't had a motorized 2-wheeler since then. I recalled the old (and so very true) adage: "There are only TWO types of motorcycle owners: Those who haven't gone down and those who will go down." I decided to be in the first group! 

It's a blast - 45-60 MPH on winding back country roads in Virginia. Nothing scary - just relaxing like in my TD or hopefully my Speedster one of these days. You only get old when you start acting like an old man.

You only get old when you start acting like an old man.

Remember that one-line poem from Ogden Nash:  “To Sit, is to Rot”

@schu posted:

It's a blast - 45-60 MPH on winding back country roads in Virginia. Nothing scary - just relaxing like in my TD or hopefully my Speedster one of these days. You only get old when you start acting like an old man.

On the contrary, you know you're old when you start acting like a young man...and it hurts! That's usually at about 70. I can personally vouch for that inasmuch as my 76th is in 24 days. While I can still put my speedy through its paces on every back road twisty in northern CA, anything over 200 miles a day is called "elder abuse!" 

P.S.: For what it's worth...I made my last military static-line parachute jump 10 years ago this July 4th (3 days from now) and I "gawrantee" it will have been my "last" jump. Not so much because I've gotten old, but I figure I've "Been There and Done That" enough times that I've earned the right to look for softer landings in life. 

So far in the last two days, I have removed the speedo assembly from my F150 and fixed a lazy speedo and inaccurate oil gauge and reinstalled that . Sorted and cleaned the entire garage making it presentable once again.  Diagnosed a engine code on the BMW " electronic water pump fault" ……...

Paul,

That statement was not about you - I really was making that statement reflecting my stage in my life when I realize I am letting myself get old and have to kick myself into doing more youthful things I always used to enjoy. That helps me keep young. It's my injuries and other health issues that seem to slow me down the most.   

@schu posted:

Paul,

That statement was not about you - I really was making that statement reflecting my stage in my life when I realize I am letting myself get old and have to kick myself into doing more youthful things I always used to enjoy. That helps me keep young. It's my injuries and other health issues that seem to slow me down the most.   

Paul has 20 years on me, but my abuse of my body has been well documented. I'm just now starting to avoid fun things because of how it will make me feel for a week or so.

This is not healthy. I can sleep when I die. We only ride this rock once - I'm not inclined to spend 1/4 of the time worrying about being comfortable.

Perhaps this is apropos to this discussion:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N87Jbgj-IT0

Don't let the old man in.  Those of us with more years behind us than ahead of us, need to take this as our approach to life.

Clint Eastwood, as he has matured, has become one of my favourite actors.  

Nice Bob - like that one too