What is the total number of speedsters in the USA ?

I was wondering what would be the total number of speedsters in the USA (REPLICA ONLY). Any idea?

Lambros,

I'm sure JPS, Vintage, Beck and Others can provide some numbers.

I think it would be fun for everyone to just add themselves to the list.

So, starting with you: 1
Me: 2

Next!

I'm guessing in the thousands, but how many thousands is the question? If I had to guess how many gumballs are in the bowl I would guess........3455

I wonder if somebody that works in a DMV or State Police might have access to a data base that might show Porsche replicars, problem is lots of them, especially in California are registered as V W's. Another method might be to contact the manufacurers and see if they would be willing to share their production numbers. Be nice if all manufacturers would put ID plates on the cars that were numbered sequentially, but don't think that will happen.

Bruce

Some are registered as VW's, some are registered as Porsche...this could get sticky .....On an additional related note some are FiberFab and many others are by the "Band of Brothers" aka the former CMC..... aka C orporate M agicians of C ash

I have a connection here in Iowa to the DMV and their computer system is so outdated that it wouldnt give that kind of search ability........well not without serious expense and maybe then only with a court order?

I could get the list of specialty car build category owners, but even I would have to pay for it as they know when the computer is doing anything special. Big Brother always knows

Only The "Shadow" Knows!!

BD

It would be difficult to compile a list. The "pleasant" state policeman who registered my car titled it (against my objections) as a "kitcar". Plus there are probably quite a few that are sitting in garages unbuilt and unregistered.

My IM is registered in Calif as a POrsche. Only makes sense. If a car is stolen how would they find it if looking for a VW.?

"Many" in garages unassembeld, that has been my exclusive speedster source for years

I would venture to guess that the Speedster and the Cobra share the top position as far as total replica numbers, compared to any other.
I wonder who made the first Speedster replica?

To the best of my knowledge it was FiberFab,CMC then bought the molds from FF

What year?

Guys; I always thought the first Speedster manufacturer was Intermec....and that their molds were passed down from one manufacturer to the next. Please help me clarify this....

It has been "passed around" over the years that FiberFab was the first, I may be wrong ....I hate to say that!
Probably the best accurate information would be from the next person that phones Henry .......Mr. Ward????

Henry's father, Frank, pulled the first speedster mold in 1974/1975, sorry about the year. He was looking for something to do after being induced to move to Southern CA from Italy. He saw the used speedsters on used car lots and thought it would be something to get into. If I remember correctly, during a dinner with Henry and his fantastic mom, Paula, they only sold "coaches" and not the reverse engineered, "you build 'em" kits that CMC/Fiberfab and others sold. Intermeccanica Automobilia (?) sold the molds after Frank and Paula moved the family to BC. Don't use this info in a trivia contest, my memory is not what is used to be.

Distantly related question: How many (contributing and non-contributing) members do we have for this site?

Big Brother knows........Theron?

Can't remember if I read it somewhere or somebody telling me.....Approximately 4000 originals made, 20,000 replicas fully or partially assembled.
Terry

I'm pretty sure Dale Bates' post above is essentially the real story notwithstanding his claim to memory loss. My "post" beginning the topic "Tube Frame or VW Pan" in the Technical-General forum mentions I drove one of Henry's father's production briefly in 1971 may not be entirely accurate. It could have been a few years later. During that period I was dealing with memory loss induced by too many fraternity parties, so the date (1971)could be off. Henry and Dale would know better about the first production.

Also, the succession of Florida builders that have molded and sold Speedster bodies may not be totally credible when it comes to details about their involvement in the history of Speedster kits and turn-key cars. It's my understanding credibility is one of the reasons they seem to be in a constant state of corporate metamorphosis, but with many of the same tactics and players.

I forgot to ask Henry..... But, I am reasonably sure that around the second week of April there will be a Ruby Red Custom IM 56GS, and for a brief moment in history it will be the most recent Speedster replica built in the whole wide world.... for a day maybe.

Jim