SubyTub revisited

Jeff Campbell wrote:
I was also wondering... how much of a daily driver is you car? You talked a lot about the reliability and peace of mind of the car relative to your VS, given the modern drivetrain. Is it really a daily use, don't think twice about it, kind of car?

Or, as the boys at Road and Track once said "Is it a car that you can lend to someone without any extra instructions?" :)

Jeff, being retired I don't even leave the house on a daily basis. If I needed to, I could use it as a daily driver, but practically speaking, I don't. We have two other vehicles in the family, not counting the BSA, so I usually use the Cabrio for fun drives, which is the primary reason I bought it.

Also, since I like to keep it looking great and I am inclined to be lazy, I have to spend much less time cleaning bug carcasses off and detailing. My choices of when to drive it and when not to aren't driven by uncertainty. It gets the job done every time.

As far as the extra instructions go, I have not lent it to anyone yet and probably will not. Other than (builder) Steve and a couple of his prospects, nobody has driven it besides me and my buddy Lou; he likes to go fast on the country roads and make my ass pucker. It is, as Hoss Hallstrand says, an easy car to drive.
John

Thanks for the update John. As you can tell, I'm still pining away for one. :)

-Jeff
Who is anxiously awaiting Steve's update on his new beauty.

Here you are. I await more responses. I have always liked the Vintage. And the Beck Speedsters look very nice too. But there is something about the idea of low maintenance. If you look at the Beck Spyder websites,(Spyderclub) those guys talk all the time about having to work on something. It's enough to make me second guess a purchase of a Beck.
David

David
I don't think the Beck is anymore maintenance intensive than my VS. I think guys (and gals) who own these kinds of cars are fiddling with them because they like to fiddle with cars and make little personal improvements.
ed

You are definitely right Ed. When I bought the SubyTub, I thought, "no more valve adjustments." True enough, but in a wierd sort of way, I sort of miss it. Learning about and getting up close and personal with the Speedster was fun.

Well, now that I don't do this anymore, guess what? Sweet bride announced, and continues announcing, that she would like to fulfill one of her long time dreams of owning a air-cooled Beetle. No rush, but maybe someday in the future I'll be adjusting valves again.
Life is forever beginning
John as in Hoss
ps. maybe I should not have thrown away all those back issues of VW Trends???

I prefer to fiddle with cosmetics and other little changes, but if its related to the powertrain I would rather it didn't need much attention from me. And when it does, I can't stand to watch some stupid kid try to figure it out, becuase they work on modern stuff daily. Same for the suspension, the VW suspension is annoying to adjust and fix. The Suby fixes both of these things.

Now the other things may be similar, but I like to fix other things that can go wrong. Even on my other modern cars if the fan blower goes out I would rather replace it myself. If the oil needs changed, its easier and more satisfying to do it myself. Its just the drivetrain and suspension on the VW platform that drives me right up the wall.

I think the VW bug engine on a VW bug is really cool. And it is a small enough CC 1600 or 1776, that it will last forever. But the best engine for a bug is still a Subaru conversion.

Somehow, I believe that I'm honored to be another person who has driven Hoss' Suby-tub. I chauffered Hoss to the Saturday evening dinner at Carlisle, but it was such an ordinary ride that he's forgotten already (no tickets, no near-misses, no getting lost).

You don't need a set of instructions to drive it (although the power window switches are trick, they're disguised as the regular roll-up cranks, anyway), it starts right up and shifts pretty much the same vague way as most VW/Speedsters do.

What I noticed most, though, was that it is quite strong in the mid-range, and just keeps on getting stronger as it rises up past 4K rpm - still smooth as silk all the way up.

As far as suspension adjustments on VW pan cars go, I set my suspension height for the first time when I built the car and, although it was a bit high, I lived with it for a year until I spent, maybe, less than two hours re-setting it to where I wanted it in the first place. VW suspension changes are one of the easiest things to do, once you get past the intimidation of the whole idea.

Also, I'm from the old carburation school. While I could certainly figure out what's happening with computer controlled fuel injection, I simply prefer not to. I designed computers for 30 years - that doesn't mean that I have to USE them!

Lower right corner cartoon from here:

www.artsycs.com/crestar/index-12.html

Gordon
The Crusty Old Coot from Rhode Island

Sorry Gordon, I must have had a senior moment when I wrote that. Yes, the ride definitely would have been more fun if we had gotten on to the expressway and gone through the gears. The story ain't over yet.
Hoss
resident geezer in Tellico Village

The height is relatively easy, but adjusting toe and camber? Not a fun process.

Well guys.............. If all goes as is planned???!!!??? I will pick up on August 3rd or 4ht and drive 2,000 + miles to Sun Valley.
This will be my maiden voyage in my subytub and as I am driving a speedster I have been advised to bring duct tape and garbage bags to cover the seats if I should hit rain and wish to contiune driving at any kinda speed.
I will also tell youthat based upon e-mail conversation with John "as in Hoss" i am right or not feeling comfortable with taking the drive.
thebest part will be the solitude as I am planning on driving the heartland myself.
More to come as the trip unfolds.
Stu
PS the only second thoughts I have had about this purchase is not having it in my hands right now!!!

Great Stu. Let me know your schedule when we get close to the date and I will stop by to meet you. Perhaps, depending on your departure plans, we can even drive a few miles together just for the fun of it.
Hoss

Stu:

Don't worry as much about hitting a little rain on your (topless) trip, as the body has such a nice design that the rain pretty much goes right over you at any speed over 50 mph or so.

I've driven, topless, through downpours at 50-60+mph, and all that gets a little damp is the carpet at the rear of the back seat area, and the headrests of my seats (I have high-backs). Not WET, mind you, just a little damp (that pretty much goes for ALL Speedster/Cabriolets).

Enjoy the trip - thats what these little cars are all about!!

Gordon
One of the "Speedstah Guys" from Rhode Island (a somewhat wetter version of Arizona)

Stuart, remember to bring a lot of sunscreen with a high protection factor!!

Pictures! Pictures!

BD

Of What? Of What??

Stu's Speedster???

Yes, Yes, Stu's car.

I get a kick out of this site and you guys. I am so greeeeeen it is hilarious.
A buddy of mine owns an original 1956 Speedster. He is 6'6". His version of a rain storm is he gets soaked. His version of driving the car (which by the way he won as a door prize at an event and would part with his wife before the car) is as follows;
"Stu the only difference between a speedster and a motocycle is two wheels, lot of wind I have gotten toasted by the sun" and then he lists all the things I need to do sunscreen, duct tape, hat etc. He followed up by sending some pictures of himself and at 6'6" I now understand what his experince is predicated upon since his head sticks over the windshiled and he wears ski goggles on long drives.
So... I will take as much advice as is given on preperation for this trip.

RainX the windshield, this makes rain on the windshield bead off and the windshield wipers are not needed. Of course I do this with all my vehicles.

Steve, not only that but with Rain X and the shape of the car which is fairly aerodynamic, the water just flies off the windshield at speed.

Completion of my SubyTub or rather pick up is now scheduled for August 3rd. If you are around Hoss I will be gettin out Dodge (Knoxville)August 4th making my way to Nashville and then either across 70 or 80. Be great to get some pictures in motion!
Whoopeee you will here me screaming across the country!!!!!
In terms of Pictures, I will take as many as possible to document the trip. If where I stop along the way there is an internet cafe I will give updates!
I absolutely can not wait as I am looking forward to 3 - 31/2 days alone and cruzin down the road!!!!
More to come!

Stuart, you may have someone in your rearview mirror during the first 10 hours...LOL Can anyone say Cannonball Run!!!

Steve when are you picking up?????
It would be so cool to rally part of the way.
I am going to try and hook up with Hoss when I am down in Tenn. I will arrive on the 3rd as it stands and head out of Dodge (god I love sayin that)on the 4th to begin my scooby pilgrimage west.

I don't know? But I'm betting there is a high probability we will roll out together, but when the time comes it really depends on my work schedule. If they need me at work, I'm not really replaceable so it depends as much on my work schedule as it does when Steve tells me I can drive it home?

Hey guys,
Steve at SAW said he would have a couple at near completion by June 30. I was thinking of driving down there on Saturday to see them, one is a Speedster, one is a Cabriolet, I think. Are these yours??? Anyway, I am trying to go on the 30th to see them.
Shawn

I think I am free to swing by on the 30th, but let me know for certain. I don't want to do anything that will get in Steve's critical path to complete the two cars.
Hoss
ps. e-mail me if you need contact info

John,
I will know for sure in the next couple of days if the 30th is definite. Right now, it looks like a go. Would love to see yours and Steve's and Stuart's. I will email you a little later.
Shawn