Wanted! 356 Speedster Replica - Manufactured Pre 1989

Im looking for a 356 speedster replica that was manufactured before 1989... I'm going to import the vehicle to Australia, and our licensing laws are quite stringent, unless the car is pre 1989.

Preferably in Silver with a tan interior. I am looking for something relatively true to the original, so no pumped gaurds. I also would like it to have:

- 2 speed wipers with intermitent control
- heater/demister for the windscreen
- indicators (blinkers)
- dual colour tail lights (no solid red)
- third brake light
- tubular chassis
- decent head lights


If you have one for sale or have some info that could point me in the right direction, please email me on jaydaviot@gmail.com

Thanks!

All but the tubular chassis on a pre '89 are easy (or is inexpensively added) - but what are pumped guards (maybe flared fenders?)? Are you saying the body and chassis have to be pre-89 or the whole car manufactured and registered pre-89?

I've never heard of ANY tubular chassis cars prior to '89. I wouldn't make that a high priority anyway. The pan-based cars I've ridden in and driven felt plenty solid to me. The only major advantage seems to be increased interior space in tube-framed cars.

More detailed reply -

- 2 speed wipers with intermitent control - stock VW setup except they never had intermitent control (Hella makes a $35 switch that would add that - do search here for part number). Many US states require windshield squirter too.
- heater/demister for the windscreen - so you need one with heater boxes and duct work connected (or add heater boxes $150 and duct work)
- indicators (blinkers) - stock VW setup and req'd in US - dual colour tail lights (no solid red) - easy to swap out but may have to change couple wires. Many of the US lights do NOT have DOT stamp/approval -- just CHINA. So you may have to swap to SWF lenses anyhow for $150
- third brake light - easy to add (these weren't on US cars in '89) some have inexpensively added for extra safety
- tubular chassis - this will limit your search greatly!
- decent head lights - US requires crappy 50W sealed beams in most states but you can swap to more powerful non-sealed H4 but may have to increase wiring gauge.

Silver with a tan interior is not as popular as red, burgundy or black interior so that will limit too - probably $800 to redo interior in P'leather though.

The hunt for ideal one is half the fun!

Intermeccanica started making their tube frame chassis in 1986 so if they were the only ones doing it back then your choices are very limited. I'd consider getting a pan based one and then if you really must have a tube frame swapping it later down the road.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1959-Convertible-D-Intermeccanica-Replica-Award-Winner_W0QQitemZ320435693003QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item4a9b74a5cb

If you wait a few months this IM Tube chassis silver with tan gem will be "Old enough" in 2010... as the build sheet is from 2000 in the ad.


Cheers, THOM

That car is George Brown's 1st IM. Later owned by Karl Macklin.
Really nice car!

~WB

I can vouch for that car. I see my memory was wrong about when Henry switched to tube frames. I think he was the first, wasn't he?

My IM is an 86 and is a tube frame and supposedly one of the earliest ones. I think they experimented with the tube frame before 86 but then put it into "production" that year. Currently I am in the process of hacking off the front of the frame of my car but that's another story.

Sorry for the late reply guys, wasnt expecting to have so many responses straight up. There is hardly any 356's on the road over here, so I underestimated the fan base for these... :)

I am looking for a car that was completely built pre 1989, it is not because I am trying to pick up a cheapy... It comes down to the importation laws here in Australia. It is not enough to say that the pan used was pre 1989, the words "fraudulant" have been thrown around in discussions I have had with DOT over here. However, if the whole car was built pre 1989, then the 'powers that be' will have less to find wrong with the import. I have heard of some cars being refused entry on the wharf because of "Fraudulant" dates being used on the VIN plates. So I am trying to avoid exactly that...

On the tube frame issue, I have heard that not only does it impeed on foot room in the cockpit but the car rides a little higher... Any truth to that? And, how much space do they actually have? Is it similar foot room to the cobra replicas? Ive sat in many of those over here, and they are tight.

Here ya go Jay. Older IM.
https://www.speedsterowners.com/forum/readmsg.asp?t=17712

Jay-hook up with Cal Ballinger, a fellow Aussie. Check the latter entries here (on the included link) and click his name to the left for his personal info. He might be of help! Or... "Cal, wake help and help a brother from down there" (that sounds a bit queer but I think you've got it....)
Scott
https://www.speedsterowners.com/forum/readmsg.asp?t=17771

Tube frame gives a lot more hip room so wider than 18-20" seats can be fitted. Frame is not Cobra tight - more VW beetle tight with low seats and roof. If you are tall (6+") the seats probably need to go all the way back --- add to that that most seat backs in Speedies are not adjustable for rake. If you want room and need top up - go for a cabriolet/D version with taller windscreen.