US kits verses UK kit question.

Are headlights in the locally produced cars raised to pass MoT requirements? There must be a reason they're made this way. Would a U.S. built body be licenceable?

I know that Special Edition sells Beck Speedsters (Chamonix) in the UK as well as the US, and I am pretty sure that the body is the same.

The Speedsters built by Chesil seem to look very similar to the US built Speedsters.  Well at least with the internet photos I don't see a lot of differences. They also have a couple pre-owned listed currently on their website.

 

http://www.chesil.biz/Chesil_Speedster_Classic.htm

The UK and SA speedster are identical in many aspects, I believe originally molded from the APAL speedster, back in the days the headlights had to be raised to conform with road safety regulations of that era.

Seeing we share a similar problem most of us here in SA have replaced the front end completely and others simply have lowered the headlights which also requires blending the top curvature to the new headlamp position, far simpler solution.

Besides the headlight, the rear seat and windshield differences, dimensionally these cars are quite accurate compared to the originals, obvious being fiberglass  has less definition than the originals.

 

Check out these topics

 

https://www.speedsterowners.com...9#423231854363029049

 

 

https://www.speedsterowners.com...1#449974511210516061

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are numerous FF/CMC Speedsters in UK - registered and operating on highways there.  The last CMC kit rolled off the Miami, FL production line by 1992 so there are many out there that are 25 - even 30 years old.  This should reduce import duty and VAT when importing them.  They are VW pan based which is often easier to register.  Although vast majority are left hand drive that could be corrected during a refresh.  I've seen of old CMCs in need of work but with "good bones" going for $4-6k and runners for $12-16k.  You even occasionally see NOS ones still in crate "as delivered" in 1990! (Do check UK laws to see if it has to be assembled and registered x? years ago to qualify for easy import/registration - vs just being produced as kit years ago).

 

For used FF/CMC check here on SOC, ebay and SAMBA.  Lots on Craigslist but difficult to deal with local sellers from a distance (just too many SCAMMERS out there).

Guys.. thanks for all your replies.. and links..  The link with the corrective rear seating and headlight modification on the two  speedsters  was enlightening..  but I think I would struggle doing the work myself or finding a company that would be able to do the work and get it done right over here may be a challenge as i guess I'd need some kind of front clip mold? I've seen rusty tubs website and they advertise the rear seating correction but it's not available/out of stock.  I have looked into whats available in uk but alas unless i buy a fully built kit from a uk agent which i dont have the money for and kinda takes away the fun of building my own doesent leave a lot of options.  Also finding a US made kit just the body/subframe is going to be difficult.   so buying a body from a reputable supplier is what im after.  I do know of a company in Wales that is a uk distributor for Vintage speedsters.. or was however most are fully built kits and not available as build your own. All I'm after is the bodyshell  and subframe. I'd want Left hand drive which I know is not a import problem or requirement for our sva regulation as cars are imported left hand drive and some kits I've seen here in uk are left hand drive due to the floorpan originally used.

In regards to uk spec kits differing.. Chesil or formally known as... I've been told the the basis of their body was molded off of the Apal speedster. . Now long gone.. we then had technic ect.. then pilgrim.. it's unclear if both of these companies still make speedster kits as i have not seen any adverts in the usual Kit Car magazines but the body styles was pretty much the same thing headlights too high and incorrect rear seating.. if I'm going to spend my hard earned cash on a replica speedster I'd rather spend it on something that in my opinion is pretty close to the original in the areas i mention.  I do appreciate opinions differ but it's clear from my research and your replies that the headlight issue may have been down to uk regulations back when the kit was being made.  The fact that there are US made kits being imported here in uk that have not been modified in the headlight area leads me to think the headlight issue is not a problem for registering or legal use.

One option for me is Rock west. . I've emailed Chris and he is quick to reply and has sent me pics when I asked of the subframe and body.. the thing I like is that the rear section  of the subframe allows for the original floorpan I'D to be retained and the forward section floorpan is newly made allowing for a low profile correct looking central tunnel.. again a plus point for me.. only issue is the handbrake being positioned on the tunnel.. which I can live with until i can find a way of installing a under dash handbrake..  dilemmas hey..

As Lane said, Special Edition sells to Europe both left-hand & right-hand drive.

Their system is a body permanently fused to a tube-frame. They offer three levels of build, body package, roller, & turn key.

If you want an authentic look, great performance, the best customer experience you can get on any product, & want to do some yourself, I would contact them.

www.beckspeedster.com

> On Jul 22, 2015, at 12:27 PM, SpeedsterOwners.com <alerts@hoop.la> wrote:
>

Tom thaks for the reply..  Beck is a fine kit although a little pricey at present for my pocket and they only do a roller package at 21k plus.  What I'm after is a body/sub frame and I can go from there.  I will have to do more research as I may have to look into buying a UK base body/sub frame and modifying the areas I mentioned to mirror the original as closely as possible although, chopping into a perfectly good body horrifies me to say the least as I have never worked with fibreglass before so I definitely would need  a specialist to do this. At least I know its been done and is something to consider. 

 

From what I've read about the modifications it looks like the rear parcel shelf fix was a entire part dropped in and glassed up? who sells this part?  Anyone else comment on how to fix the headlight bowl drop too? reading carefully I noted that its mentioned whole fronts have been grafted on to correct the headlight height issue on SA and UK kits but for me in the uk I wouldn't be able to obtain parts to do the mod. 

 

Regards

 

Mac

On older IMs, FF/CMC the rear seat area is moulded with the rest of the body as one piece (I suspect this adds strength).  All have the authentic headlight position.  I know of UK folks who bought US registered CMCs and had them shipped there and, as long as you have one with a good US title, you'll have no problem registering it.  I'd perhaps avoid ones registered as a '57 Porsche Speedster and would stick to ones registered as VWs.  With a running one you can doo upgrades/customization while still driving it - that never ends once the MADNESS set in. 

 

I'm not really familiar with ones you state don't have a rear seat area. It is truely a parcel shelf as there is ZERO foot space.  And when top is folded down, there is no back rest area.

I have a Chesil and the headlights are a couple of inches higher. I was told that was to pass (can't remember the exact terminology now) I think SVA - single vehicle authorisation tests. Don't jump on me if I got it wrong !! They do have a simple parcel shelf option but I asked for it to be a bench seat (has belts too) The battery is behind the rear seats as I believe the original was (leaves space for the spare upfront) I know a lot of guys have the battery up front. Chesil also do a big modification to incorporate two proper seats in the rear, but you loose the battery compartment then. Then the battery is upfront. All the same wheel spacing. The Pilgrim extended the car (or left it the same as a Beetle) to provide 4 seats.

Hi Guys,

 

Thanks again for your replies.  Yes I have seen the chesil and its a great kit, I was stationed not too far from where they were made and remember seeing one drive past me so I followed it around for about 20 mins oggling it.. fortunately the driver wasn't aware as I stayed back enough for it not to seem creepy lol. Made my mind up then that one day I would own a speedster but ended up with a 912 and eventually owned two SC's although not all at the same time.

 

I think ive made my mind up about kits..  if I get a UK based one I will have to mod the headlight area (I swear ive seen a French company advertised on here somewhere where they sell the whole front section of the speedster and they call it the low light option..  my French is non existant  so couldn't read all what it was about but from my basic understanding its a option that they sell and they can do the work or its a do it yourself job.

 

Anyone else know who they are?

 

Mac