Hey guys - new to the group.
I'm looking to purchase a Speedster Replica (possibly built by Intermeccanica in early 2000's), and it has a 1640cc engine in it. Is that big enough? Fast enough? Will I regret not buying one with a bigger engine?
Not looking to race it - just want to cruise and have fun.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
A 1641 with stock dual port heads and dual carbs will make 70-75 horsepower and still be fun to drive. You may find that after getting familiar with the car it could leave you wanting more or you could be perfectly happy with the car the way it is. If your happy with the price of the car you're looking at then drive it the way it is; you could always update at a later time. It's part of what we call 'The Madness', and we're really good at helping you with things like this. Of course, more hp means better brakes, and maybe a little wider wheels/tires so it handles better, and maybe a 5 speed...
Thanks Robert, but I already have my eye on a car, and I plan on buying it before the end of the week. Just wondering if the engine is going to be something I'll regret later on since I haven't driven other cars. Is the 1600cc engine too slow or given the lightweight fiberglass body, 75 hp is going to good enough to enjoy on a summer day.
@ALB posted:A 1641 with stock dual port heads and dual carbs will make 70-75 horsepower and still be fun to drive. You may find that after getting familiar with the car it could leave you wanting more or you could be perfectly happy with the car the way it is. If your happy with the price of the car you're looking at then drive it the way it is; you could always update at a later time. It's part of what we call 'The Madness', and we're really good at helping you with things like this. Of course, more hp means better brakes, and maybe a little wider wheels/tires so it handles better, and maybe a 5 speed...
Thanks for the response! It's basically a brand new replica (less than 200 miles), I love the color, but it's unclear who built the car. The guy thinks its Intermeccanica, but can't confirm. He's asking $30k for it. Doesn't come with a top or any windows. Built in early 2000's on a 1965 VW chassis.
Be Careful. This info and the price don't jive. If it was built a long time ago and only has 200 ,miles on it I find that to be a red flag. Why wasn't the car driven in all that time? usually because it doesn't drive very well. The 30K price will buy you a very nice well sorted Speedster with the top and side curtains. Look at the classified section on this forum. The forum moderator has a Intermeccanica for sale at about the same price and it is a very nice car. Check some out. Lurk on the site, get to know what's what, and you will be better off for it. Welcome to the madness!
@Jimmy V. posted:Be Careful. This info and the price don't jive. If it was built a long time ago and only has 200 ,miles on it I find that to be a red flag. Why wasn't the car driven in all that time? usually because it doesn't drive very well. The 30K price will buy you a very nice well sorted Speedster with the top and side curtains. Look at the classified section on this forum. The forum moderator has a Intermeccanica for sale at about the same price and it is a very nice car. Check some out. Lurk on the site, get to know what's what, and you will be better off for it. Welcome to the madness!
Thanks! Apparently the cars been in a wine cave and not driven since purchase. I’m having a PPI conducted in the morning to check it out - let’s see what comes of that! I saw the one on sale - don’t want a red car.
It has a 69mm crank with 87 mm P&C - so 1641 cc. That extra 1 cc counts.
Check the hinges for the front hood and rear engine lid. If it is an IM, they will have INTERMECCANICA stamped (raised casting) in them -- if they are plain then it is a CMC/FF. A top and windows will cost $1k. Built in early 2000's on a 1965 VW chassis with only 200 miles - sounds more like a CMC. I have one sitting in my wine cave! Also check to see if painted or OEM CMC gel coat.
I'd think 70-75 HP would be wishful thinking over the stock 1584 cc 50 hp engine (69 x 85.5) - referred to as a 1600. It would need some good heads, cam and exhaust. Even fiberglass, it still weighs 1800 pounds.
How is it registered? What does the title say? has it been registered in Cal. ? Have you checked on the possibility of getting it on the road without flaming hoops? 1965 has a link pin front end. If you plan to drive on freeways you may want taller gears in a 1641. Had one , they will get you down the road but not with a lot of gusto. Drive the car.
I would love to see you buy it and be happy, but none of us want you to get scrod.
Please let us know how it goes. We're pullin' for ya.
Thanks for all the amazing replies! Wish I came here sooner. Since I got some private messages asking for the car listing, here it is:
https://www.desertprivatecolle...TER-REPLICA-1965-VW/
I'm open to hear your thoughts. If you think I should pass on this car, I will, as I'm not much of a car guy, and don't want to get screwed! I'll eat the $150 spent on the PPI I'm getting done tomorrow morning.
It's currently registered in AZ, but the dealer said he can register it here in CA as a 1965 VW.
The motor looks a little rough for only 200 miles and I wasn't able to see the "Intermeccanica" name on the engine lid hinges. There also seems to be something going on with the passenger door card/fit and the door handle is missing. I'm also not familiar with those gauges being used in the car, they look more like 914 gauges and I don't know if IM used those or not. The car does have 10 slot rims which are nice but it is still a four lug rim based on the hubcaps. Overall the car looks clean and needs a good polish and the chrome bits cleaned up.
IMHO it isn't a $30K car though. Closer to a $24-$25K car without the top and the smaller single carb motor.
The car is worth what you want to pay for it. That being said, I'd agree with Robert. It looks more like a $24K car. I've got an older Intermeccanica and the chrome carpet trim looks different and the front yellow beehive lights look a little wrong. The color is nice, but I suspect you could either do better or pay less. In any event, it's clear you've already caught the madness and you should plan on spending a lot of time on this forum. Welcome!
Mike
Hahaha definitely caught the madness! Thanks!
Did you all see what someone did to the engine compartment lid? They cut the rain shield out so the center mount Weber carb would clear the lid. Definitely no being caught in the rain. I guess that is why they removed the top and windshield wipers.
Now I know why I’m so confused. The OP changed his screen name. Lol
Sorry! Just getting acquainted with the site!
Pretty car.
The heart wants what the heart wants
... 70 hp is about what a good-sized lawn tractor puts out. Each pony this car has corralled costs about $430. If a new car cost $438/hp, a Dodge Hellcat would run $302,600 +/-.
@Stan Galat posted:Pretty car.
The heart wants what the heart wants
Stan's got it right. If you want it, go ahead and plan on spending some time and money changing it until it's the car you really want. Engine too small, no problem... Not an Intermeccanica, no problem. No rock chips on the front bumpers, no problem. Need to install a top, no problem. Oops, bought the wrong car, no problem.
A lot of these beasts were kit cars so there's a lot of expertise here on how to solve almost any problem or how to make changes to personalize your ride. The key to having the coolest car is to make yourself happy. Forget what other people think. It's not their car!
That being said, I've had 5 or 6 people honk, wave or yell cool car at me today. It's hard to mess up these little plastic treasures as hard as I try :-)
I'd do a lot more shopping before I would buy that car. A 1640 engine will soon get you completely frustrated with the lack of power. I made the same mistake with my first speedster buy, which I sold the same summer I bought it.
You state that you are not much of a car guy, and I think that is obvious. You are caught up in the romance and dream of a sweet little two seater sports car that looks lovely in pictures. I think you have bought the seller's pitch completely, as so many other first time speedster buyers have done, and as so many have subsequently regretted their impulsive purchase. I did the same years ago.
It's clear you are chasing this car based on emotion, not on logic. I am not recommending you buy the 'red car' that is advertised on this site, but for the same amount of money, this 'red car' is three times the car. Anyone being rational, and not being caught up in the dream of speedster ownership, would do a straight forward comparison, and would come to a rational decision that for the same amount of money you want to spend on this incomplete speedster, you could buy a much better vehicle.
You need to slow down, do some rational thinking, and a lot more shopping, before you end up with a less than fully useful speedster that you will soon realize is not what you really want.
I agree with Bob. Take a deep breath, slow down, and look at (and drive?) some before you jump at the first one. I think this particular car is overpriced, particularly when compared to others like David Bayne's red car. His may not be the style you want, but use the quality and features as a benchmark for comparison. You'll be much happier if you wait a bit.
That said, "Welcome to the Madness!"
