VS-Kirk is a OK in my book.

My 700 mile VS went to the local shop for what I thought would be a simple clutch cable adjustment. As it turned out, my clutch/flywheel is shot and two seals broken/leaking. I immediate called Kirk's shop at VS and conferenced in my local mechanic. One of Kirk's guys and my mechanic began to talk a language I do not understand.

The end result was that VS agreed to ship all the parts directly to my mechanics shop so we can begin the repairs. VS also agreed to co-op some of the labor. I was impressed at the speed that this was handled and that I did not have to press hard to get things moving. While I am bummed that I can

Kirk knows which way the wind is blowing (JPS fiasco).

Looking forward to seeing you in October, Marty. The Dragon Run is Not To Be Missed!

Marty,

I used to live in St Charles and remember those hot summer nights when the fireflies used to hover over the cornfields. We'd go driving at night( not in a speedy) with the headlights off and see thousands, like you were in a galaxy. That was 30 years ago. I hear from my Aunt in Geneva that the cornfields are long gone. Too bad, those were great 2-lane blacktops around there and along the Fox River going north to Algonquin.
Great roads in the summer, horrible windswept snow drifts in the winter, Brrrrr!

Dan,

What you say is true, the corn fields are disapearing fast. St Charles has kept the downtown quaint. Geneva too, but the 2-lane rd you speak of (Randall) had turned into a 3-lane shopping mecca from Batavia IL all the way north to Alqonquin. Luckily I live on the East side of the Fox River. We still see plenty of deer and coyote around and the Forest Preserve purchased the huge acreage north of my house.


Marty G.

Ernie wrote: "Kirk knows which way the wind is blowing (JPS fiasco). "

Maybe so, but from meeting him personally and reading on here for years how he stands behind his product, I think it's just Kirk being Kirk and supporting his customers. Kirk's a stand-up guy.

I must admit, Kirk is a genuine good ol' boy. I first met him 14 years ago and he hasn't changed since.

I had a problem with my car when I was in California. Kirk gave me his cell # & told me to call. I phoned him one day while he was at happy hour & he took time out to talk to me & walk me through the problem- that's what I call service!

I agree with Gordon. I am 2000 miles away from Kirk. He could have easily said your SOL. I am not bashing any other maker, I just wanted to post some postitive feedback. Can't wait to get cruising again.


Marty

I've told this before, but WAY before we all had this or other forums to help us along, there were maybe 2 email bulletin boards and they were pretty poor, too.

I had been building my CMC for a few years and had the opportunity to go to LA on business, so I stopped in (cold call) at Vintage and met Kirk. I told him up front that I did not have one of his cars, but was struggling with building a CMC and could I just take a look at how they did a few things?? Kirk went out of his way to show me around, showed me how they did so much stuff that my brain was getting full. He must have spent well over an hour showing me around and how they did this or that, all the while being very proud of his operation (and he SHOULD be!!)

I've never forgotten that visit. He could have told me to hit the road, but, instead, he helped create another 356 replica on the road and a happy customer (I bought my gauges and Stay Fast top from him and Mary).

Kirk and Mary are good folks - I hope they never change.

Gordon

Now why couldn't or wouldn't John Steele behave this way????

From what I know first hand and what I have seen & heard -

the cream of the crop in speedsters are Kirk (VS), Henry (IM) & Cary (SE).

And at three different price points. Quality customer support for everyone's budget.

You got that right Walt...those three are THE BEST.....

I've yet to meet Kirk Mary or Cathy, however I have got to know them a bit on the phone from years of being a east coast PITA ordering speedster parts.
They have always been helpful and most recently Cathy went above and beyond helping me get the correct color interior for project "Candy "

Almost forgot Carey and Kevin Hines @ Special Edition, the best of the best! ~Alan

Ok I have a question. What would the base price of a Vintage be?Lets say you go with the standard 1600cc engine,standard exhaust,leather interior but vinyl top and cover,all the emblems inside and out,ivory trim buttons,banjo wheel,cheapest stereo,bumper over riders,camber compensator,carpeted trunk and full spare,and mangel wheels and 165/15 tires. I've looked at the site but there is no base price for a turn key car.It gives the cost for options however.

Call Kirk. I know he had to raise prices a little from when I bought mine (2006). He's easy to talk to and will give you straight talk.

I think it used to be about $18,500, but might have gone up a little.

Last year base was 21k. I am sure it's higher given the current economy.

Marty

Am I glad I bought when I did....prices have certainly gone up in the last few years. Base price was $18,500 in 2004.

3K in four years seems reasonable to me.....
Think about this for a minute, a brand new speedster, made to order, for 21K, from a builder who is (according to this thread) one of the best guys you could ever deal with....and delivers a product that everyone seems to rave about....what else do you need to know...

Did some research on this one, my results are as follows:
Kirk- the guy eats sleeps and dreams speedsters and will always talk with you.
The Hines- fabulous product, warm nice people, quality
Tom McBurnie-The guy is truly cutting edge in his approach to 356 and his misssion of light weight perfection.
Henry- Haven't had the pleasure--his product has a very positive history and speaks for him.
John Steele-never talked with

Special thanks to all the advice from SOC: particlularly the doctor who I should have done business with on a old white CMC--I regret that I didn't buy it! didn't have the cash.

SOC all are ok in my book

tim

If it is the white speedy I had, it was shipped to Denmark, finished and on the road there. ~Alan

Dear Alan,

Dang! that was a hot little project car

tim

Iam happy to have read all the good coments about Kirk and his team. As Iam waiting for my car to be completed and shipped to CT. The chasse is about done the body will be painted this week. This is a replacement for my 2000 VS that was rear ended by a SUV towing a boat which pushed me head on into a car comming from a side street. The SUV admitted fault and his insurance come up with enough to pay for a new car with several upgrades, 1915cc 388 transmission. This was a pretty good crash I walked away with just a few bruses a credit to the qualty built VS Speedster team. Cant wait for the new one Dan

Glad for you my man!

Wow Dan! I'm glad to hear you're OK after that accident. I think if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident in one of these that being hit from the back or front is your best bet. Any side impact is "nasogud". Sounds like it all worked OK in the end though.

Here's my testimonial ablut Kirk Duncan. I was planning to send my inop tach to North Hollywood Speedometer and I called Kirk a couple of days ago to ask him how to remove the tach from the dash of my Vintage Speedster. I Mentioned that it never has worked properly and Kirk said to send it to him and he would replace it.

Over the past year I have owned my VS I have contacted Kirk quite a few times for advice, parts and know-how. He has always been helpful
but this latest example of excellent cuatomer service is something I wanted to share with the folks on the SOC. You can't go wrong with a VS and the great after-the sale service from both Kirk and Mary.

---Jack

Aside from the car stuff - Kirk & Mary are just cool folks and fun to hang out with!!

They are definitely great people but I hate to burst your bubble with the Chinese repro tach, Jack. A few years ago he also replaced the one in my car and after I installed it it worked for a while and then died again. I figured it was better to just fix it right and forget about it and that's why I sent it to NH Speedometers; it's worked fine ever since.

Ricardo--I hope he picks me out a good one then!

Still--Kirk goes "above and beyond" which is the point. ---Jack

Kirk's new tach arrived today and after I installed it I test drove the car.The replacement tach works great--- I never know exactly, but I do now----that at 4,000 rpm I am doing exactly 84 mph.(Is this the same for other folks with a 3.88?

How odd---84 mph was the number that cost me my drivers license for 6 months, plus a $500 fine when I was in the 12th grade. I was in a new '57 Mercury and the highway Patrol was in a '57 Chevy.

I'd rather be doing 84 in 2008 in my great Porsche Speedster!!

Back to the topic, or to "un-highjack" the thread------indeed, Kirk is a good guy!!---Jack

84 seems a bit high. I have a 3.88 and 4000 rpm is roughly 80 mph. I say roughly because my tires are a little lower in profile, so it's probably closer to 75. Larry Jowdy did some calculations a while back, and for the most common gear ratios, a 3.88 works out to almost exactly twice what your tach reads - that is 40 (4000 rpm) = 80 mph.

My tires are the stsndard Speedster size which is 165 15s .

Maybe my speedometer is off? 3-4 miles an hour is not a big deal.

I remember larry's post about doubling the tach for mph. I'll check some additional rpm/speed combos to see.---Jack