Trying to determine manufacturer of my Speedster

Hello

I have just joined SpeedsterOwners after having just purchased a used Speedster about a month ago. I was talking with a gentleman at Becks who suggested I join this site as he felt that somone could help me determine the manufacturer of my car as I also want to purchase side curtain windows and a convertible top for it.

He mentioned that certain tell-tale signs such as the dash and gauges as well as even door hinges could divulge the makers name.

If any one can help me, I will post some pictures. And if you could tell me what kind of detail shots would help, I will get them posted.

Thanks in advance for any help that can be offered.

Cheers,
Craig

Well some pictures of a side shot, the dash layout, open the trunk and take a pic, is there a big roll bar... any pics will do.

Also, a shot under the dash looking up at the 2" square tube and how the defroster vents may be in help distinguish CMCs

A few pictures are worth a thousand words (or double postings to separate threads). I responded to your dupe posting in the Newbee thread with some telling pictures.

Hi Guys

I have uploaded pictures to my folder. In response to the tubing, mine seams to be 1" square and I do not have any vents what so ever.

Thanks for your help.

All the best,
Craig

Hi again.

I just realized something else that might be important. My engine cover has two clips and lifts off - it does not hinge open.

Craig

I don't think the engine lid clips means anything. I see the stance in the front and think it's lowered, (adjustable) so it seems pan based. The rear valance with the 2 exhaust pipes coming out. Non Beetle gas tank. Look to me like an old Intermeccanica.

I'm no expert but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Nice car!

I was finally able to speak with the guy who built my car back in 1994, today. He informs me that it is a custom tube frame. The only donor item was the VW 1600 cc engine and possibly the gas tank. My car is registered as a 1972 Super Beetle which is great for insurance and because it doesn't have to adhere to the tough smog laws of today.

The car originally had drum brakes only. He also lowered the ride height. The second owner must have changed the fronts to disc as well as adding the second carb.

Apparently the kit was purchased from a company in Barrie, Ontario, Canada that has since closed up. He thinks that they may have created molds off of another manufacturers kit; possibly Intermeccanica.

Does anyone know anything about this company?

Cheers,
Craig

It even gets more complicated. I don't think there was a manufacturer there since the only one in Canada was Intermeccanica. Could be a guy building an old CMC since Canada does not allow kit cars at all to be imported unless it is over 15 years old. Stumped!

Very unique dash eyebrow - have not seen that on other vehicles (definately not FF/CMC!)

There was a manufacturer in Canada (not IM) in the '80s. I received a brochure package from them back then when I was first looking at a replica. Can't remember the name tho'.
ed

Yes there were a number of them in Canada in the 1980's. They may have been building from kits though.

I recall going to the Toronto auto show in 1987 I think and there were quite a few replicars from the Bobcor (Lotus 7 based on a Volvo) to Porsche spyders and speedsters and even a Riley MPH based on a TR6. Used to be quite a few at one time...

Any chance any of you gentlemen have old Kit Car magazines from the mid 1990's? The guy who built the kit said he saw the ad in the back of one. Since he purchased the donar car, of which only the engline was used in 1994 I can only sermise that he must have seen the ad in 1993 or early 1994. Since this company didn't last long knowing their name etc. isn't really going to help me much but as you can well imagine, it would just be interesting to know, for history sake.

Also, I have been speaking with Russ at FiberSteel about his slider curtain windows and also the hardtop. Do any of you have either and what do you think of them? Even if you don't have, what are your thoughts about these products?

Regarding the roof, I would have to take delivery of it unfinished so I could have it properly fitted to my car. Regarding the curtain windows he would need measurements and I even suggested sending him a cardboard template so he could match the angle and shape of my A pillar.

From past posts the sliding curtains are vaporware - they've been in the works for years and years (do a search - it works really well).

The convertible tops come with a loose front that you glue to your fiberglass/wood header bar plus you add the snaps where they are needed to match those in the body.

Year or better ago, I actually advertised many, many years issue' of old Kit Car, Hot VW and VW Trends magazines. I sent the USPS media mail max of 70# off to one guy for cost of shipping --- and still have 25# left. Pretty sure I sent him mainly VW magazines since he replied to posting on the aircooled VW NG. I've had my CMC since (gulp) '89 so I do have them back that far! I'll try to check for you this weekend.

Here's the ad with the Kit Car years listed:
https://www.speedsterowners.com/forum/readmsg.asp?t=8742

Thank you very much Wolfgang. I appreciate it. That is very kind of you indeed.

Cheers,
Craig

Thoroughly check the old '90 and '92 magazine --- no manf/builder found in Canada --- sorry. Man, each magazine has atleast 4 separate Ad pages from FF and CMC! No lack of advertizing budget there!

Hi Wolfgang

Thanks for looking. As I mentioned previously, since he built the car in 1994, I am guessing he would have seen the ad sometime in 1993 or early 1994.

Cheers,
Craig

Probably home built. Kit is most probably CMC or Fibrefab.

A friend of my Mercedes mechanic - a Mercedes built by Porsche by the way - today saw my Speedster for the first time and remarked that some one he recently spoke to is ordering a Speedster from Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada). So along with the possible company in Kingston (Ontario, Canada - www.cswspeedster.com) that makes two Canadian makers, well three including IM of course.

Does anyone know where I can buy a 1600 emblem? Unlike when I recently owned a 1980 Toyota Landcruiser and had a great site (coolcruisers.com out of Texas) where everything was available to go to, I haven't found a similar Speedster site yet.

Also, I am going to attempt to make my own slider curtain windows. I will let you know they turn out and post some pictures.

Cheers,
Craig

You can get the emblem from Mid America Motorworks, Klasse356.com, JPS or Vintage Speedsters.

Stoddard and Pelican Parts too

http://www.stoddard.com/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=111&cat=Emblems

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/356M/POR_356M_BDYext_pg4.htm#item17

Please pardon my ignorance but what is a "1600 Super" vs. just "1600"? I do have the 1600 engine from a Super Beetle though that now has dual carbs.

Thank you very much for the supplier names.

The Porsche "1600" was 60 bhp, the "1600 Super" was 75 bhp, and the "1600 Super 90" was (duh) 90 bhp. All had dual carbs - differences in HP were due to things like counterweighted crank, larger sodium filled valves, different cam, and different carbs.

Thanks again Wolfgang

1600 it is - for me.