Where to source various accessory upgrades

The Grey Eagle route will run $3500-4000 depending on the style of your bumpers.  Most replica bumpers are thinner than original and the guards have to be welded, ground, and polished to fit.  The standard bumper guards are too short for tubes, so if you put guards on it now they'll have to be removed and replaced should you decide to do overriders.  The short guards have only one maker currently, and they have a website (vintagespeedparts)  Th nonyl thing I can tell you about them is that I usually order 8-10 pcs in order to get 4 that are good enough to resend and polish.  heavy pitting is a HUGE issue with these.  There are several of us trying to make a better version, so there will be alternatives available down the road...

MOST wide five hubcaps will fit the clips of a wide five wheel.  I say "most" because lots of these parts are China made and I don;t have experience with all of them per se, but I have yet to see a version for "clips" that will not work, it is mainly the 4 lug style that is so problematic.

early VW and 356 headlights parts are the same, sans some year differences in adjuster screw placement (and part numbers for concours guys), and are interchangeable, so no issues there.

If your VS has the old sealed beam 7" incandescent - I'd swap them out for a non-seal European Spec H4 setup from Hella.  Whiter, stronger light for night driving.  You can get same wattage - or with heavier headlight wires, a higher wattage (if you have an alternator).  

If you are thinking of putting stone guards on headlights - be aware that some require removing the glass and others fit over the glass.

Hi Kevin,

Recognizing that this might answer a different question than you asked, I couldn't help but add my $0.02.

First, I agree with Wolfgang that you might want to swap your headlights.  I haven't tried the H4 setup that Wolfgang recommends, but I do have a set of Vintage Car LEDs.  Although these are <slightly> more complex, with ballasts, and depending on the model, fans, they are an incredible improvement.  Pretty close to plug 'n play.  The glass looks original, or you can keep your current lenses and just swap the bulbs.  Customer service from these guys is excellent as well.  https://vintagecarleds.com/

Second, you might want to upgrade your wheels/tires.  It's a decent chunk of cost, but it makes a huge difference.  I swapped out 16" custom steel wheels for Vintage Spyder's alloy 190s, and it's an outstanding mod.  I saved at least 20 lbs per corner, and it feels like a completely different car -- much, much faster and more responsive.  They come with clips for the hubcaps.  You can search for this site for tire choices.  Lots of folks prefer the Vredesteins for the classic look and quality ride.  I went a different route -- autocross tires for optimal dry weather handling. 

Wheels are here:  http://vintagespyders.com/product/vintage-190/

Tires are here:  https://www.tirerack.com/tires...p;partnum=05WR5R888R

Finally, you might want to call Vintage Speedster or JPS Motorsports to see what they'd charge to send you a set of nipple hubcaps.  It's possible they might have a much lower price.

Good luck!

thumbs up on the Vintage 190's

thumbs down on nipple hubcaps, baby moons all the way!

I wouldn't have agreed with that a few years back, Will-- but I'm with you 100% now.

SoCal Imports.  $13.49 each with free shipping.  

http://www.socalautoparts.com/...d-style-logo-p-15455

As new, you can make eggs in them with a heat gun, no reason to ask how I am aware of this :~ )

Make eggs in them?

That doesn't begin to describe how useful they are.

Hell, here in California, we use them to pan for gold:

You can also use them as hats to protect you from government spying..  um, so I'm told.

Vintage 190 rims with baby moons (for reference) on my Eleanor...

That looks really good!

Thanks for the feedback everyone. It has been quite helpful. 

When it comes to the Vintage 190 wheels, is there an easy way to identify what's on my car now?  Does Vintage or whomever stamp the wheel?  I attached a photo of what's on there now. (First two photos)

@chines1: thank you for providing a ballpark figure to the overriders. It definitely helps puts everything in perspective. 

Im looking forward to meeting members of this group. 

before purchasing the "green machine", my wife and I had the car we wanted in our heads. A green car wasn't one of those. I'll be frank. The only reason why we even looked at the green car was price. It is a 2013 build that was priced to move. What my wife and I never expected was to actually like the color of the car, and want to keep it green. But the color definitely changed what we thought we wanted. 

Last night we came across two cars we liked without overriders and instead had large amber foglights. I can't tell if they are Marchal, Bosch or Hella. Any thoughts (pics attached)?

Thanks again. Looking forward to meeting up with this group. 

(The last pic is of dad's and son's cars, tucked in our tiny garage; side by side). 

First, do they all match? Second, take one off and look at the other side. If they are Mangels, the size date of manufacture and country of origin will probably be stamped on them.

There is a 356 coupe in my local club that is a similar color - Fjord green?  Not sure but, whenever it's brought to an event it's like a flame to the moths of people around it.  It's a very pretty color in almost any light.

Some rims are marked (stamped) inside the rim too - so tire would have to come off.  Old oem rims would be date stamp like 8-59 near one of lug holes - but I doubt they are OEM.

Vintage 190 rims have a button head screw that is used to attach the hubcap clips. It's a really nice touch. They also use 19mm bolts and not lugs when attaching the rim to the hub.

Plus, they weigh next to nothing. So picking one up is a way to tell if they are off your Speedster.

WHERE did you get that little Speedster for your son?!

those are not Vintage 190's

Here's the link to the Spyder ride-on car:

https://kidsviponline.com/new-...-car-dull-black.html

As for the wheels, I'm assuming these are exactly what VS put on the car when it was built. 

Vintage190 wheels are much thicker than a standard wheel. They are made of some sort of aluminum alloy. If you had them... you'd know. 

Your wheels look to be Mangels. A very common reproduction 356 wheel. The hubcaps from SierraMadre or Carey should fit just fine. The newer moons aren't as thick as the older ones. I have a complete set from WestCoast Metric which are MUCH thicker than the new set I got from SMC. I dented one of the SMC ones while putting it on. 

Good looking car. Enjoy it and be safe. Tell your wife we're sorry to hear about your wallet/savings account. This might not make sense today... It will all become very clear in a year.

Ted

The Marchal lights that I put on outlaws have a clear nipple lense,  with either an amber bulb or a clear bulb.  You can't tell if they are amber or clear unless they are turned on.   If those are Marchals, they aren't the type I use. 

Bring your car to the West Coast Cruise gathering June 9th-11th in San Luis Obispo and we'll tell you everything you need to know about your car. LOL

SF-Speedster posted:

Here's the link to the Spyder ride-on car:

https://kidsviponline.com/new-...-car-dull-black.html

 

As for the wheels, I'm assuming these are exactly what VS put on the car when it was built. 

 

I shouldn't of clicked the link...

Now I'm going to buy one for my daughter. She LOVES sitting in my Speedster. I'm sure she would love this little Spyder!

@*LongFella you'll be happy to know that just like you did with your beautiful Speedster, you'll have to assemble the Spyder as well (dual motors, wheels, hubcaps, windshield and steering wheel). I'm sure you'll do it in much less time. 

It has a real leather seat, locking doors, a rear trunk and controls on the steering wheel for a horn and the MP3 player (which is preloaded with the finest pop music out of China now). 

It has three speeds forward, and one speed reverse. It comes with a remote as well. 

My neighbor down the street ordered the Pegasus stickers for his TT, expecting them to be of "normal" size. He put them on the shelf when he received them wondering what on earth he would be able to do with such small stickers. Well, he immediately flagged us down and applied them to my son's car, happy he saved them all these years as they fit perfectly on my son's spyder. 

You can easily tell the difference between the Vintage 190 wheels and the stock Mangels by using a magnet. It won't stick to the 190s. 

Kevin:

UMmm Since I have been yelled at several time's ( from Stan G. and AL B.)  I am not going to say I am new here:

I get all my parts from Troy Sloan's Parts emporium  (After Hours of course) 

or do I give him parts hmmmm.......... I am now confused..  

Any hew Kevin...  Lots of sources as mentioned above,  I just chime in to say Hi..

Did you all know Tom Murtaugh was on Leno's Garage!!!!   Awesome Tom!!   just saw it myself ................

Tebs...

ps  please come to the SLO Gathering in June lots of good info there!!  Oh and Beer!!

Yeah......Don't forget the Beah!

@Former Member, Thanks!  I guess it's better to be lucky than good!

@Kevin - Bay Area, I couldn't justify the $490 sale price for the what seems like the ten billionth car for my kid, especially when an Amazon search led me to believe that I can get a similarly-optioned 12-volt ride-on toy car for $150 - $300.

That made me sad, so I google shopping-searched for Porsche ride-on electrics, and found that WalMart just marked down a 6-volt ride-on Speedster with R/C for $100.

For those of you with kids/grandkids who need a Speedster of their own, buy here:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Roc...with-Remote/46188917

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lil...mote-Yellow/51090835

That is all.  Sorry for the thread drift, y'all.

Tom Murtaugh posted:

@Former Member, Thanks!  I guess it's better to be lucky than good!

@Kevin - Bay Area, I couldn't justify the $490 sale price for the what seems like the ten billionth car for my kid, especially when an Amazon search led me to believe that I can get a similarly-optioned 12-volt ride-on toy car for $150 - $300.

That made me sad, so I google shopping-searched for Porsche ride-on electrics, and found that WalMart just marked down a 6-volt ride-on Speedster with R/C for $100.

For those of you with kids/grandkids who need a Speedster of their own, buy here:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Roc...with-Remote/46188917

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lil...mote-Yellow/51090835

That is all.  Sorry for the thread drift, y'all.

It's an obvious replica. Those wheels aren't right, the mirrors are in the wrong place, the seat back is too high, and the color is off.  LOL

I took Troy's advice this week on where to order the Baby Moon's. Best $50 I spent so far....but then again it's the only thing I bought for the Grun Maschine....so far. 

I've attached a photo I took today. 

Funny story, since it didn't end badly. I took a buddy for a spin yesterday. We were headed eastbound on a two lane road, and a gentleman in a late 60s nova was headed westbound on the same road. He was making a slight right turn when he saw my Speedster. He stared at the car, obviously liking what he saw. What he failed to do was look where he was turning. The car he almost hit head-on reminded him of this when he laid on the horn. Luckily no accidents. 

Looks great. 

Love those baby moons, looking great.

I like everything about this car—especially the color. You'll never see yourself coming the other way on a black top.

Love BABY MOONS on speedster.....just seems to fit VISUALLY as opposed to?? Saw a set of FUCHS on a speedie and it appeared to rock the FLOW, almost hurt my eyes...YES?

TWO SPEEDIES on EBAY:Both BLACK...... an original for 295,000 with baby moons and an IM6 with FUCHS....nice car but the FUCHS break up the experience!

I have to disagree; I think a set of Fuchs looks good on a Speedster. 

Moons & nipple caps are cool for the traditional (or conservative) look! 

[click on pics to embiggen]

The purpose of the Outlaw is to rock the flow! 

Longboard or fish? 

Whichever brings that SEG while you're cruising down the road, it's all good!   

Even though I'm new to the whole speedster scene / madness, I agree with @MusbJim. At the end of the day, all that matters is if you love your speedster and the SEG it provides. 1600, 1915, 2110 or dare I say watercooled ;-), what matters is if you love it. 

Except adding kidney bean grills to the front, that's just stupid. 

We were adamant that we wanted only a select few colors, and green was not one of them. But now that we own the green speedster, we'd have it no other way. 

The best advice I can give a newbie still looking to buy is go look at the car. Drive it. If it doesn't give you a huge smile, then it's not for you. Try another  

I've owned fast cars and slow cars. They've all provided me different levels of enjoyment. What I've found with the speedster is driving it 70mph can feel like 120mph. 

SF-Speedster posted:

The best advice I can give a newbie still looking to buy is go look at the car. Drive it. If it doesn't give you a huge smile, then it's not for you. Try another  

I've owned fast cars and slow cars. They've all provided me different levels of enjoyment. What I've found with the speedster is driving it 70mph can feel like 120mph. 

I would like to add that after waiting months for my car to be built and then driving it for the first time I was immediately rewarded with the knowledge that I had made a good choice.  Since that day a silly grin has become permanently affixed to my face because driving a Speedster on a beautiful road on a beautiful day at any speed is what REAL driving should be all about.