WTB Speedster

Okay, I think I have been on this site obsessively for the past nine months -- checking every single post, looking at all the forums, and reading all the "so you want a Speedster" details and I am wholeheartedly ready to "join the madness".

Is anyone interested in selling / do you know of a 356 available in the midwest (OH, IN, IL, MI, MO) that would be in the low to high teens? I am looking for a well sorted Speedster -- preferably VS or Beck with a 1915cc engine or better, 3.88 transmission, and front disc breaks. My preferred colors are ivory w/ tan interior or black w/ tan interior (I am Irish, what can I say?).

I am in awe of the information that I have picked up on this site and thank all the folks I have corresponded with -- this is a great website.

I can be reached via email at matthewghickeyATsbcglobal.net or on my cell at 224 / 406-0126.

Thanks,
Matt

Matthew - Welcome to the madness! But I have to say that your price range of low-high teens for a VS or Beck is a bit optimistic. I certainly hope you can find something, but you should consider a CMC or older replica in that range. Be willing to do some work to get it to where you want it and you will certainly be rewarded. I could absolutely be wrong, and I hope I don't dissuade you from the hobby. Just be patient and realistic in your expectations, and you'll find what you want.

Thank you Lane,

Great advice -- very much appreciated!

Everyone on this site has been so great, I appreciate your insight.

I hit myself after posting for not including Wisconsin (especially since I live about 20 miles away) in my hoped for market area.

I have received a few responses already -- so I will keep your advice in mind and be more flexible / open in my considerations as I move forward.

Thanks again,
Matt

Watch for a divorce in the Chicago area on Craigslist.com. Lots of midlife crisis types buying them there. I found some lower priced "distressed" sales going on there. It is really manual to look but once on Craigslist, you choose the region and search "speedster" "356" "Porsche" "replica". Remember to ship across the entire country is usually about $1100 (just search auto shippers) so don't let the distances scare you. Short haul is still $700-800. Watch ebay to get a feel for what you want and what you want to get into.

By the way, I used to live in Mundelein on Holcomb in 1980. Remember you won't want to drive it from December to March back there if it does not have "windows". Summer might be a bit intense too without air.

Here you go. You can go up and look at it in a couple hours this weekend.

http://www.musclepricecars.com/1955_porsche_356.htm

OOPS, that came up on Milwaukee Craigslist but it was in Scottsdale. Sorry.

search this: http://crazedlist.org/

with this browser: http://en-us.www.mozilla.com/en-US/

with this addon: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/60

you can search the craigslist world from one site.

There are a whole bunch of nice replica's for sale via ebay, craigslist, thesamba...I see them all the time...all depends on how much you want to spend, color etc, I believe that most are more than likely nicely sorted. just don't expect IM quality for the under 20K used variety...If you want one they are out there....

You guys rock! Thanks, I'll follow up on your leads!

I totally understand the weather situation - I found a local garage where I can store the Speedster from November to April (a condition of purchase imposed by "the boss").

What has been the rate of success of buying a Speedster off of Ebay? I am somewhat skeptical (most likely needlessly). Can anyone give me pointers about how to approach buying a car at long distance without the benefit of being able to inspect the car first hand?

That is one of the things that I really like about the forum posts -- it seems that you can trust the members.

Matt

Here's a couple that have peaked my interest (both in the West Coast):

#1 - Item number: 140259479421

#2 - Item number: 260277149338

Any thoughts?

Thanks for the search engine tips as well! - MGH

Personally I wouldn't go much higher than where the bid is now on the one in Washington....17K seems reasonable for that one but not much more...
The one in Altedena has an extra day to go, and is most likely equal in value to the one in Washington, but you get a bigger motor in Washington....
there are also a few on craigslist in Los Angeles...and one in San Diego.....
all under 18K, and looking good....
your looking at 12-1500 for enclosed transport to your area.....
There are SOC guys in the L.A. and San Diego areas who I'm sure would be willing to look at one if you wished.....

I like the interior color of the one in Wash, however, I don't like how the side mirrors are mounted to the doors. The problem with Ebay is that they hardly ever hit the reserve price, which is typically in the 20's. I'm trying to unload mine ... asking $19,750. You can ask some of the guys locally to check it out for you to verify.

Matthew, I bought a Speedster off E-bay in Dec. '07. I had looked in my area for a while (within 5 hour drive) and saw some cars that I didn't want, not complete or all motor and no suspension or whatever. I finally bid on one in Oregon , about as far away from Mass. as you can get. I paid 12k, and for that price I knew it would not be perfect. The car is older but tight. The problems have been small things that I could mostly fix myself. I think I was VERY lucky. If I were to do it again I would take a personal look or get one of these guys to check it out or hire someone to do so. I hired DAS , one of the E-bay shippers, to haul it here in a "covered" truck. Only problem was when it got to Boston it sat in a lot for 3 days of snow and rain and I had to tear out all the carpeting , dry it out and re-install. Long distance purchases are nerve wracking, but all's well that ends well. Best of luck! Al

Alan,

File a claim with DAS, the car was shipped in an enclosed hauler THEY are liable for the water damages you mentioned. Alan M.

Alan,
You're right, I should have filed a claim 8 months ago. I inspected the car in my driveway and signed off on it and took delivery. It wasn't until the next day that I found out how wet the floor was when I was crawling under the dash etc. I removed the carpeting and dried it while I was sorting out some wiring problems. I cooled off and forgot about it until just now. Might be too late. That's probably good advice for any new folks to learn from my mistakes.