Another request for info about a potential car I may purchase.
It has the under dash brake, but it doesn't lock in. I could feel tension when pulling on it, but there didn't seem to be any way to lock it in the engaged position. Is there a trick to it? I couldn't find any info on the interweb about it, which made me think there isn't any trick to it.
Vintage Motor Car with 2021 AZ title, if that makes any difference.
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Not sure how the original 356s worked, or the replicas with under-dah brakes, but some old cars had you turn them to lock them. Try that.
I was trying to twist it, but if recall correctly it wouldn't twist more than about 45°.
Can't the current owner show you?
Are you able to ‘twist’, or turn, the handle at all as you pull it toward you?
Normally when ‘setting’ or engaging the parking brake you don’t have to: you just simply pull the handle aft, and it locks in place. It’s possible, though, that in your case the notches in the handle shaft are not aligned with the internal catch that locks the brake when ‘set’. A quick visual check might be a clue: when released the handle should be essentially horizontal.
On mine, when releasing the brake, I depress the brake pedal, pull the e-brake handle aft slightly, rotate the handle just slightly counter clockwise to allow the internal teeth of the shaft to clear the catch, then slowly allow the handle to retract forward. When the handle is fully retracted it rotates back to the horizontal starting position.
Good luck!
He cannot. He doesn't know either. Its a friend's vehicle that now lives overseas.
@30West you can rotate the handle while pulling it back. But even if you do not, I never felt a "catch" in there. I guess it's possible that the catch broke from previous attempts to engage or disengage the brake.
It should operate just as folks are suggesting If this was a build form the folks in AZ you may find quite a few items not done correctly or not done to the standards of the top builders, Vintage Motorcars of CA and Beck.
If you are interested, feel free to reach out to me as I have several beautiful Speedster currently available built by Vintage Motorcars of CA.
Roy, Cloud 9 Classics
www.cloud9classics.com
As I understand the OP, it’s a VMC that was titled in AZ with an AZ Assigned VIN? I’d say a call to Greg is in order. (If it’s actually a VMC and not an AZ Vintage Speedster)
Or does Greg put CA assigned vin tags on them when he sells them?
Just like with Joel’s steering box. “Sh*t happens.”
@dlearl476 I do not see anything that says it has a AZ assigned Vin. I believe he said it is titled in AZ as a 2021 so who knows. I think if I was looking to buy one of these I would want to know who the builder was for sure.
Posted by ufgator in the "seat relocation" thread:
"Hello all, I'm looking at a Speedster that's for sale (Vintage Motorcar out of AZ with a 2021 title) and the driver seat is too far forward for my height."
So, @RoyP I think it's safe to say who the builder is.
As in, NOT Vintage Motorcars Inc. of Hawaiian Gardens, California.
@RoyP @DannyP Danny is correct. The title says Vintage Motorcar LTD (in Scottsdale, AZ). I've searched on here to try to find any info about their cars and only seem to find the story about how they moved from CA to AZ after they were sold and then went under. But there doesn't seem to be much info about the actual cars built out of AZ. The owner's manual in the repository here is seriously lacking any real info. I'm not sure where the engine is from (local or well known supplier or crate motor from somewhere?). This car is a few years old, but has new car mileage. I see a lot of these sell with almost no mileage. I've actually been to Cloud9 and saw some of your inventory (they all looked great), but before spending new car money on one of these, I'd like to see how often I use it and if its more fun than work. I have no problem wrenching on the car, and fixing small issues that others didn't/couldn't, but I don't want it to be constantly in a state of repair. The original plan was to buy new, with IRS, water-cooled DOHC, limited slip diff, AC, heated seats, etc., but before diving in head first at that cost I want to "buy in" at a more reasonable price. I'm not buying for an investment, I'm going to put miles on this car and use it (if it ends up being as fun as I imagine it will). Hopefully I wont have to post too much on here asking for insight on how to fix or tweak things if I take delivery and iron out the wrinkles. Thanks for all the input so far!
@ufgator wish you the best with whatever you decide. Still a little confused. You say the Title say Vintage Motorcars Ltd. Are they listed as the owner is that the Brand car that is listed? If they are listed as the owner it sounds like someone is flipping on an open title. If it is listed as the Brand, that will cause some issues in some states esp. if titled as a 2021 model. CA in particular would be a tough state if that is how it is titled. If not buying with any concern for re-sale value and wanting to wrench on it sounds like it might be right up your alley.
Maybe attach a few pics for more informed comments from us if needed. If it is the Blue one for sale in the Atlanta GA area no need to add pics. I am familiar with that car.
All the best. .
@RoyP Agree it is a bit confusing. It is titled as a 1968 VW, but the title shows Vintage Motor Car (no s) LTD from Scottsdale, AZ with an AZ title dated from 2021. My understanding is it was built for a customer overseas, they could not register the "kit car" in their country so it remains with the original title. I am sorting the title issue and plan on taking copies of it to the tag office to make sure there is no issue.
It is the blue one in Atlanta. If you have any insight into it, I'd love to hear it. You can private message me. I would appreciate it. If I end up buying, I'll post some pics.
Thanks.
Figured it was Blue car. I am going to stay neutral. The guy you are buying it from , if you buy it, should have it titled in his name before transferring to you.. In GA it only costs 1% Title tax on classic car. The car was sold to a guy overseas who could not register it there. It was recently brought back in tho the US. His name should have been on the title as the buyer but these are reasons why the AZ operator went Bankrupt after stealing quite a bit of $$$ from unfortunate folks. There are 2 different people I have seen advertise it so not sure which one you are dealing with. Again at this point I think I will stay out of it but now at least it is clear who built it. Good luck.
Yep, sounds like the same one. At least the story you heard and the one I heard is the same. Agree on the title, its supposed to be getting cleaned up.
