Hello, I am looking to purchase a 356 Speedster.
Wanted to learn the difference between Vintage Motorcars of Hawaiian Gardens CA and Vintage Speedsters of Goodyear AZ, as it relates to 1) build quality and reliability, 2) period correctness, 3) popularity and resale value, 4) overall value, 5) are the companies related, and 6) anything else to compare and contrast the companies.
Thank you
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I have a 2013 Speedster built by Kirk's team of the original Vintage Speedster (VS) once located in Hawaiian Gardens CA. As you will find out, Kirk sold to, I don't recall the new owners name and moved the business to AZ. I love my car and the build from Kirk is good. As I work on it, I find things to upgrade safety and components. This is where Greg at Vintage Motorcars of Hawaiian Gardens CA comes in. His business moved from Stanton CA into the old VS building and includes Speedster builds along with his awesome 550 Spyders. When I talked to Greg years ago, I asked him what is the difference between his builds to VS. Bottom line is what he's doing, you'll be very happy- a solid build. As for the VS in AZ, I have not heard from anyone that has purchased their builds. Which of the two holds their value, I would have to stick to the old saying, "you get what you pay for". If I had to do another car, I would go with Vintage Motorcars because Greg mentioned to me, safety is number one when he does his builds.
Vintage Motorcars of Hawaiian Gardens, CA is strongly recommended by 95% herein the other VS in AZ has changed hands a couple of times. You can do a general search here on the SOC. to reach your own conclusion. Greg Leach at Vintage Motorcars produces high quality speedster with good customer support as well as Carey Hines at Special Edition of Bremen, IN
I appreciate the feedback thus far.
Any positive or negative feedback for Vintage Speedsters in AZ would be appreciated. Hopefully someone who owns one from the new owners in AZ can chime in.
I need a Speedster by October. Vintage Motorcars is 18 months out at this time, so as much as I like their product, it wont arrive on time. While I'm not sure how far out Vintage Speedsters is, I can take over an allocation through a friend and it will arrive by October. I would be open to other reputable builders as well, assuming their lead time is not 12 months+ out, but I haven't research other companies yet. And I would like to stay in the $50-60k price range, which includes some extras (not base)
@Theron posted:
so if I'm understanding this correctly, Cliffnotes: Vintage Speedsters used to be in Hawaiian Gardens, owner sold the business to a newcomer to the industry, who relocated to AZ and none of the builders transitioned. Vintage Motorcars moves from North Cal to So Cal, occupying the old VS building, hires all VS's former employees, and runs a grade-A operations. Unknown are the specifics of VS which is in AZ
If you need a car by October, I think your only choice is the resale market.
@beemerb0y posted:so if I'm understanding this correctly, Cliffnotes: Vintage Speedsters used to be in Hawaiian Gardens, owner sold the business to a newcomer to the industry, who relocated to AZ and none of the builders transitioned. Vintage Motorcars moves from North Cal to So Cal, occupying the old VS building, hires all VS's former employees, and runs a grade-A operations. Unknown are the specifics of VS which is in AZ
Pretty much with a few insignificant corrections. Vintage Motorcars was formerly Vintage Spyders (same owner, Greg) and only moved form Stanton to Hawaiian Gardens adding the speedster line.
I don't know if you'll find a ton of feedback on here regarding the AZ outfit and I am unclear on ownership and change of hands there, but it seems like it may have been bought and sold a few times since leaving CA? The few VS AZ owners that posted here had a lot of rookie mistakes shown on their builds.
As LI-Rick said, used will likely be your best bet with your delivery date needs. Those of us who have built good reputations (and have the product to match) are backlogged for years at this point.
If you go down the path of finding a good used example, you have a whole new list of considerations and some will be based on your location, mainly pertaining to how it is currently titled and how that will translate to your state. This is in addition to the basics like: build quality, who did the work, is it sorted out, etc, etc...
@LI-Rick posted:If you need a car by October, I think your only choice is the resale market.
Either that or BaT and get a basically new build from Vintage Motorcars through Roy at Cloud9...
One sold yesterday for 68.5K, and there is a black one on there right now with 9 hours left.
Happy bidding! If you need it today(or by October) you'll have to pay.
https://bringatrailer.com/pors...6-speedster-replica/
Greg has been building Spyders since the mid-1990s, and added pre-A bent-window coupes about ten years ago. He started building Speedsters when moving from Stanton to Hawaiian Gardens about 5 years ago.
Lots of fair and good info provided above. Feel free to call me to discuss either a new build or getting on my list for used ones as they roll in.
I can be reached at 770-359-8400, or at www.cloud9classics.com
@DannyP thanks for the mention!
@beemerb0y posted:so if I'm understanding this correctly, Cliffnotes: Vintage Speedsters used to be in Hawaiian Gardens, owner sold the business to a newcomer to the industry, who relocated to AZ and none of the builders transitioned. Vintage Motorcars moves from North Cal to So Cal, occupying the old VS building, hires all VS's former employees, and runs a grade-A operations. Unknown are the specifics of VS which is in AZ
That is pretty much it with nothing significant enough to correct you on. The AZ VS has built a few cars for people who have been on this site and to the best of my recollection they all had some issues and have all since sold their cars jaded by the experience.
I am getting prepared to list my JPS speedster on BaT as I expect to get a new VMC within the month, plus I’m moving from California to Arizona in April so I do not want to keep both speedsters there without a proper garage. My new house will have 4 Stalls but it’s being built and won’t be ready for a year. 2018 JPS 2.5 with 3:44 and IRS, disk brakes on all 4’s, Bluetooth, AC, leather. I bought it last August with 250 miles from JPS who was selling it for a customer. I’ve only taken it on 20 mile excursions and to car shows. It now has less than 1,100 miles. DM me for more info
Asking $54k.
Fantastic color and interior.
It is a beauty.
I hope you are getting A/C in your new one Arizona— Phoenix anyways is Hot!! Very Nice Looking Car by the way. If you are putting it on BaT the way prices are it should go North of 60 !!!
@Former Member going to Tucson foothills. No AC as I don’t want it in the air cooled 2332. Guess I’ll be driving before 8 AM in the 9 months of summer 😎. I’m thinking high 50s on BaT.
@MikeM You might be pleasantly surprised on BaT what you might get. I hope so! Good luck on your move it’s Beautiful out there most of my wife’s family lives there.
On Calif Craigs list -
1957 Porsche 356 Speedster Replica - cars & trucks - by owner -... (craigslist.org)
gorgeous car. love the color...fly into Tucson to see my Nam buddy in Sierra Vista....little to dry and desolate for me...love the freeway checkposts looking for illegals..
@barncobob you must have been there under previous administrations 😎
Thanks @ALB. Wheels are 5.5x15.
The new car is gonna be pretty tricked out for car shows. Speedster Blue, a 1955 only color, and frankly I have never seen one in this color. The interior is burgundy with houndstooth (pepita) inserts like the ones shown in the photo, with black square weave and black top. It will have the 2332 with IRS and the 3:88 tranny. 
Need a speedster by October? How about this one…
https://bringatrailer.com/list...speedster-replica-6/
A brand new black speedster from VMC just sold for $48k on BAT today which was an absolute steal compared to other recent auctions, not sure how it happened. So maybe the one linked above, which is older and shows a bit of wear will go for a reasonable price.
I've driven two Speedsters built by the Arizona company and they were both a mess.
Keep this in mind when you make your decision. The Arizona company advertises that they have built over 3,300 Speedsters. Since they own the name they are legally allowed to say that, but the reality is that the vast majority of those 3,300 Speedsters were built by the employees of the old Vintage Speedsters prior to the company being sold and moved to Arizona in 2018.
Personally, I think that is VERY misleading advertising!
@Jon T posted:Need a speedster by October? How about this one…
https://bringatrailer.com/list...speedster-replica-6/A brand new black speedster from VMC just sold for $48k on BAT today which was an absolute steal compared to other recent auctions, not sure how it happened. So maybe the one linked above, which is older and shows a bit of wear will go for a reasonable price.
I'm not exactly sure what happened with that Black Speedster on BAT either, but one possibility is that it had an Arizona title as "VW Speedster" rather than just VW. California buyers may have been leary of possible registration problems when the the car was brought in to California and the VIN inspection was done.
@Jon T posted:Need a speedster by October? How about this one…
https://bringatrailer.com/list...speedster-replica-6/A brand new black speedster from VMC just sold for $48k on BAT today which was an absolute steal compared to other recent auctions, not sure how it happened. So maybe the one linked above, which is older and shows a bit of wear will go for a reasonable price.
When the seller says this as his first comment, it doesn't bode well for the overall condition 
"the temp gauge indeed doesn’t work and we have never calibrated the speedo, but it’s always seemed to function just fine."
Beck for sale not mine https://www.facebook.com/comme...tachment&__cft__[0]=AZXpja5eFXbFHwbpQ0iWgzIZ-rSBTh_mNCHEq17FJOx6oKgmW9xtNxnPkMnjXHsGAIocdwr7zAeb8HVwFZcJzm95sEZm2jmtJdnZuRQwnISeKHkVt240xXY2_7YSztWQN5_FcNFn_VG1WAcR_WkgtrLpzoQxjeY7S-KRbK0y9o2jmIXLbHl5__8QTdJ5kKz3Dsv4KagBlGVCKGjyEhULNYlrPimrhVTAeU-Sf08pbpoZhg&__tn__=*bH-y0.g-R
