Check out the following link for an unusual Speedster replica.
www.specialtyauto.com/SPEEDSTER.htm
If you wanted a non-VW Speeedster, this may be just what yopu are looking for. I found the ad as I was surfing the net.
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Check out the following link for an unusual Speedster replica.
www.specialtyauto.com/SPEEDSTER.htm
If you wanted a non-VW Speeedster, this may be just what yopu are looking for. I found the ad as I was surfing the net.
www.specialtyauto.com/SPEEDSTER.htm
If you wanted a non-VW Speeedster, this may be just what yopu are looking for. I found the ad as I was surfing the net.
An interesting site. Reminds me of the French company that builds speedsters (its been mentioned before on this forum). It also has a water cooled engine in it.
I wonder what kind of chassis it is on. I think it probably could be a Fiero based kit. Interesting...
Website's heavy on the claims and light on any specifics. Area Code's in Tennessee. You'd think somebody with one of their cars would have found this website by now...makes you wonder.
Anyone who wants a convertable with modern suspension, water cooled engine with a good heating system and mid engine layout, should rush down to their Toyota Dealership and order an MR2 Spyder. The rest of us will stay with our VW based, antiquated tubs.
For what it's worth, this place isn't very far from where I live and I had never heard of them, at least in connection with Speedsters. I saw a street rod at a show which may have been one of theirs. It was a trailer queen with something in excess of 100K invested. Not my cup of moonshine.
John H.
just a POOR old Speedster drivin' country boy
John H.
just a POOR old Speedster drivin' country boy
I agree Ron. I admire the experimenters amongst us that build a modified car, such as the Subaru engined car. But that admiration is based on their engineering/mechanical skills & the free spirit it takes to handbuild a unique car.
To me the idea of a "Factory" turnkey water cooled Speedster is akin to Porsche going front engined with the 9 series, a low rider Wrangler, or a 4 jug Harley.... Heresy!
I am with you on the new gen MR-2. Dollar for dollar, pound for pound, that is absolutely the best low budget Sports Car on the USA market (said with a healthy respect for the Miata M.). Outside the US my low budget pick would be the Opel Speedster (a morphed MR-2).. a great car! Both have extensive aftermarket body/engine/suspension mods to customize a killer look.
But, for the same money I opted for my replica (VS and still pleased 18 months later) because I want that Porsche tail wagging, the sound of a air cooled flat four growling behind me, and the 50's retro tech updated with a few things like disc brakes, lowered spindles, suspension upgrades and 70% HP increase. Drivinf a factory built water cooled, pinto/mustang handling, inline mush, with a "real trunk", is akin to having safe sex... it may be safe and wise... but! there ain't nothing like feeling the real thing, so to speak.
There may be a niche market for the Mushster, but I doubt if many folks who really love the romance and retro-feel/image of a Speedster will be drawn to buy one of these McReplicas.
JMNSHO.
Jim OKC
To me the idea of a "Factory" turnkey water cooled Speedster is akin to Porsche going front engined with the 9 series, a low rider Wrangler, or a 4 jug Harley.... Heresy!
I am with you on the new gen MR-2. Dollar for dollar, pound for pound, that is absolutely the best low budget Sports Car on the USA market (said with a healthy respect for the Miata M.). Outside the US my low budget pick would be the Opel Speedster (a morphed MR-2).. a great car! Both have extensive aftermarket body/engine/suspension mods to customize a killer look.
But, for the same money I opted for my replica (VS and still pleased 18 months later) because I want that Porsche tail wagging, the sound of a air cooled flat four growling behind me, and the 50's retro tech updated with a few things like disc brakes, lowered spindles, suspension upgrades and 70% HP increase. Drivinf a factory built water cooled, pinto/mustang handling, inline mush, with a "real trunk", is akin to having safe sex... it may be safe and wise... but! there ain't nothing like feeling the real thing, so to speak.
There may be a niche market for the Mushster, but I doubt if many folks who really love the romance and retro-feel/image of a Speedster will be drawn to buy one of these McReplicas.
JMNSHO.
Jim OKC
Ron, Jim,
I too looked at an MR2 Spyder before this whole thing started with me. It's an unbelievable value for an unbelievable car! I'm on my second speedster now, but in the beginning, I thought I would never approach the expense of the Toyota with a replica- in the end, I exceeded it. This is one reason I wonder about the constant Type I/ Type IV debate, whether a tube frame is better than a pan, etc. Is moderen speed and handling what its all about? If it were, I could have gotten a LOT more bang for the buck than with any replica. I wanted something unique, something cool and retro, and something usable all at once. These cars are so cool, and so rare in my part of the world, that I can put up with the quirks as long as they don't intrude on the enjoyment. A lot of the quirks are PART of the enjoyment! Jim, I too have a couple of bows to "modern" technology with my car (4 wheel discs, IRS rear suspension)- but largely, I think we need to understand what we have here- The coolest looking cars on the road, as opposed to in a show. Does the flat 4 and a pan rule the road? Obviously not, but it is the way these cars were built in the 50s. It seems right to me.
I too looked at an MR2 Spyder before this whole thing started with me. It's an unbelievable value for an unbelievable car! I'm on my second speedster now, but in the beginning, I thought I would never approach the expense of the Toyota with a replica- in the end, I exceeded it. This is one reason I wonder about the constant Type I/ Type IV debate, whether a tube frame is better than a pan, etc. Is moderen speed and handling what its all about? If it were, I could have gotten a LOT more bang for the buck than with any replica. I wanted something unique, something cool and retro, and something usable all at once. These cars are so cool, and so rare in my part of the world, that I can put up with the quirks as long as they don't intrude on the enjoyment. A lot of the quirks are PART of the enjoyment! Jim, I too have a couple of bows to "modern" technology with my car (4 wheel discs, IRS rear suspension)- but largely, I think we need to understand what we have here- The coolest looking cars on the road, as opposed to in a show. Does the flat 4 and a pan rule the road? Obviously not, but it is the way these cars were built in the 50s. It seems right to me.
I will take a slightly contrary position here, though I can surely appreciate the logic of the traditionalists here.
It is almost as though it is in the American genes to want to modify something -- to make it handle better than stock, stop quicker, go faster, etc. Whole aftermarket industries spring up and independent speed shops open to fill that need for speed. Both professional and privateer engine builders push the envelope continually. I think that is neat.
If we are going to stay true to the era let's remove the 12 volt electrical system, then ditch the sound system and of course let's switch back to skinny bias-ply tires and then we can all putt around in 70 HP coolness.
If a person doesn't have a desire for upgrades that's fine with me. If a guy wants to go what I consider over-board with HP, that's great. I for one feel like when all is said and done my car will hopefully suitably impress my snob friends who sneer at the thought of a replica car. And if I can hang with them in the turns and surprise one or two leaving a stop light, all the better.
It is almost as though it is in the American genes to want to modify something -- to make it handle better than stock, stop quicker, go faster, etc. Whole aftermarket industries spring up and independent speed shops open to fill that need for speed. Both professional and privateer engine builders push the envelope continually. I think that is neat.
If we are going to stay true to the era let's remove the 12 volt electrical system, then ditch the sound system and of course let's switch back to skinny bias-ply tires and then we can all putt around in 70 HP coolness.
If a person doesn't have a desire for upgrades that's fine with me. If a guy wants to go what I consider over-board with HP, that's great. I for one feel like when all is said and done my car will hopefully suitably impress my snob friends who sneer at the thought of a replica car. And if I can hang with them in the turns and surprise one or two leaving a stop light, all the better.
My first choice was the MR2. Then I found the Speedster turnkeys...
I visited the site and tried to email them for additional information regarding the Speedster mid-engine, but both my mails were returned. They also had a Cobra for sale at $29M+ with a date 12/01. Either a typo or the site hasn't been updated in awhile
I was able to contact them, here's the reply, hope this helps. Jordan
----- Original Message -----
From: Stephen W. Lawing
To: jchristiansen
Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2002 11:13 PM
Subject: RE: Speedster
As our website indicates, we have built many
----- Original Message -----
From: Stephen W. Lawing
To: jchristiansen
Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2002 11:13 PM
Subject: RE: Speedster
As our website indicates, we have built many
Eric,
Thanks for your post- Its nice to hear several points of view. I understand the desire to "tinker" and increase the power of any given vehicle. I started with a 68 firebird when I was 15, and progressed through many phases since then. I once built a Chevy Monza with a 350 and nitros. And now I'm in a VW(!) based replica I didn't even build.
If you want to go "overboard", have a blast- one of the beauties of these cars is that no matter what you do, you aren't destroying anything but a fiberglass replica. Its not like your drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa or anything. I appreciate your position, and I'm glad you appreciate mine.
I know these cars can be built to go like stink, but my original (and current) point is that for pure bang for the buck, you can surely do better at your local Toyota store, or Kawasaki dealer for that matter. Something else draws us to these cars, and I think its a good idea not to lose perspective. As it is my $25K car will receive work where it will suit my needs the best, in extending a season that is far too short here in the midwest.
I may be getting old, but making my car warm and dry really trips my trigger. I loved making the hardtop fit the way I wanted. I'm having Russ R. make a fiberglass racing tonneau for me. I think this kind of stuff is the height of cool- I'm fine with it doing nothing for west coast guys. If you want a fire breathing 200 hp 1500 lb car, thats great, I'll be the guy with the smile on his face going about 65 in the slow lane.
Thanks for your post- Its nice to hear several points of view. I understand the desire to "tinker" and increase the power of any given vehicle. I started with a 68 firebird when I was 15, and progressed through many phases since then. I once built a Chevy Monza with a 350 and nitros. And now I'm in a VW(!) based replica I didn't even build.
If you want to go "overboard", have a blast- one of the beauties of these cars is that no matter what you do, you aren't destroying anything but a fiberglass replica. Its not like your drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa or anything. I appreciate your position, and I'm glad you appreciate mine.
I know these cars can be built to go like stink, but my original (and current) point is that for pure bang for the buck, you can surely do better at your local Toyota store, or Kawasaki dealer for that matter. Something else draws us to these cars, and I think its a good idea not to lose perspective. As it is my $25K car will receive work where it will suit my needs the best, in extending a season that is far too short here in the midwest.
I may be getting old, but making my car warm and dry really trips my trigger. I loved making the hardtop fit the way I wanted. I'm having Russ R. make a fiberglass racing tonneau for me. I think this kind of stuff is the height of cool- I'm fine with it doing nothing for west coast guys. If you want a fire breathing 200 hp 1500 lb car, thats great, I'll be the guy with the smile on his face going about 65 in the slow lane.
The Specialty Auto post reads good to me. I will casually follow developments. Will be curious if they can keep the price point where he is estimating it with this prototype. And I would also be curious how the first generation of owners like the Suby package, there will always be teething issues to get beyond. There are many engine import companies that bring in Japanese engines with 30K miles for very reasonable prices.
Well, Jordan saved me the time of cutting & pasting a similiar reply from the vendor. Looks like he's building a hotrod in a Speedster shell, but hey, if there's a buyer, why not!