First Impressions

I met Kirk and Mary yesterday at Vintage. Very down-to-earth folks who put me at ease even though I was walking around a very busy shop.

Since this is only the second time I've ridden in a speedster replica and the only time I have driven one I thought I would just jot down my first imressions;

The cars are as cute/beautiful in person as in the photos.
The paint quality is very good and,contrary to what many say, totally acceptable,I'm sure, to everyone but the most fussy perfectionist.
The fit is very good on the carpet,upholstery,top.
The doors fit nice ,though some seemed to stick a bit when opening(?)
Perhaps that is adjustable,I didn't ask,just an observation. The inside door seal on the forward vertical edge was not there. Is this how they are delivered? It left a large air gap and looked crude..
Kirk really seemed to prefer building swing axle cars. He said he'd do one with IRS,but thought it pushed the wheels too far out and deterred from the look of the original Porsche car.
Kirk felt most the 1600cc engine was plenty powerful gor a 1600pound car.

The majority of the cars in the shop had speedster-style seats. I thought the other ones were more popular?I felt the speedster buckets would get tiring after an hour or so.
An employee took me for a drive in 1915cc car headed to Germany.
The car had nice pickup and had the 3:88 tranny.
The throttle pedal got stuck down twice while out on the test drive and so he had to free it deftly with the top of his tennis shoe! I'm glad HE was driving! Cars are definitely top-down cars unless absolutely necessary.
When we got back to the shop I was given a different car to drive due to the faulty accelerator.
I drove a basic 1600cc with a 4:12 tranny destined for Puerto Rico.
Though Kirk said 1600 motors were a good choice,I was underwhelmed.
Didn't feel much quicker than my '69 Beetle..1915cc at a minimum.
I don't drive fast but I like quick starts with lots of torque available. Thats fun! and safer. The steering seemed a bit vague,but again I'm probably just too used to modern cars or expect more from a vintage VW because it looks like a Porsche.. The test-driver made some comments about steering dampers,etc. while I was swerving down the straights,but I didn't get what he was referring to..(?)

Peter, When it comes to CCs (torque); a little is good, more is better and too much is just enough! Go big and IRS.

Peter,
Kirk's right about the wheel/tire issue and IRS.
If you run drum brakes on the rear you can barely squeeze in a 5-1/2" rim with a 195 tire. Run rear disks and you're down to a 4-1/2" rim and 185 tire. I have 5-1/2" Mahle mini-burners on my car but it's because the backspacing is 4-3/4". I'm still stuck with nothing wider than a 185 tire. You can go to extremes and install shorter axles as MangoSmoothie or Mickey have, but Kirk won't be doing that for you.
So, if you're interest is to have an authentic looking replica then you'll probably be happier with swing axle.
I never intended to go that way as I was looking for something that would handle/perform well on these beautiful rural roads that are so plentiful where I live. Considering that, IRS is the only way to go. My engine of choice is a 2110. Plenty of torque.
Of course, the Berg 5-speed makes it that much sweeter. ;-)

The car doesn't have power brakes and the front discs stopped the car fine. Vintage claims discs all around seriously degrade pedal feel. I'm sure discs upfront are more than enough considering the cars weight.
The custom,wood steering-wheel upgrade totally obscured the instruments--totally unacceptable in my opinion. A large diameter(Banjo?) steering wheel is imperative to make the design function as intended,unless you are well under six feet tall.
The speedo should be placed on the right. I can't see the point in speakers for a stereo in the doors or anywhere; clutters up the look.
The music is under the rear bumper!
I've been lurking for a few years now and just love how these cars look(most do). Nothing like a reality check in person to put it all in focus. It may be a tough decision whether to purchase one, as so much engineering progress has been made in the intervening years,but very little progress has been made in pure body design appeal. "What the eye admires the heart desires" in spite of the creature comforts and precision tolerances in modern cars. In the end it is very like a four wheeled motorcycle for two... Motorcyles are fun too...hmmm...?..

1600# is most likely dry weight - no gas & no oil. 1700#+ more likely. Although I believe VS uses a steering damper - I do not believe any anti-sway bar is supplied (not even the skinny VW stock one). Adding a front and rear make a hugh improvement in handling. I have a 1641 cc but it has counterweighted crank, 110 cam, light flyweel, big valve heads. If I were to do again I'd go 1776 or even 1915. The speedo isn't on left because a stock VW T1 speedo cable is not long enough to place it there.

I picked up our VS widebody from the GREAT folks at Vintage in September as a replacement for the motorcycles I'd used to go back and forth to work from Arcadia to Long Beach (50 miles round trip)for 10 years. I'm an experienced rider but the auto drivers out there aren't getting any better. I consider the Speedster my 4 wheel M/C so if I wouldn't have ridden the bike then I don't use the Speedster. Besides that the wife enjoys the Speedster as opposed to a bike. We got the padded seats and they are more comfortable but they do slightly restrict the leg room by about 2".
I've found that driving requires 'finger tip light' except when going very slow but we did get the wide tires. Ours has the 1915cc engine w/ the 3.88 gears and it has great low end pull. 70mph equals 3100rpm. It does have the IRS which I personaly prefer but wheel spacing wasn't an issue due to the wide fenders. When people ask what it is I use a quote from Desi..... 'It's FUN'.

Peter--it's not a Miata---it's a Speedster---ok?

also have a VS and the car is great and Kirk & mary are the same.
I bought my car as the second owner and have vastly improved it.

BUT--it's not even half about the cars, as fun as they are---it's about the fine folks you meet on this site and get with at the many gatherings around the country. We have attended the Morro Bay event as well as Carlisle, PA 3 times and Tail Of The Dragon in the Smokey Mountsins 2-3 times. Max fun!!!

For my car,I added a stabilizer bar to the front plus a camber compensator on the rear and my car drives like it's on tracks. The ride is smooth---not like a Corvette and I have the plusher seats---not the Speedster ones with the holes in the back. Talk to Kirk about the little stuff as it can all be adjusted--seeing the instruments, door rubber, etc. I added great door sealing rubber and have a totally dry car now.

I also have added the C. B. Performance rear discs so I have discs all around. I could notice no change in the good braking feel I always had but after a panic stop on I-40 in TN 2 years , I like the new straight ahead and no problemo stops I now get. Screw those drums.
That's my own experience and other's mileage may vary.

My Vintage runs like a scalded dog and has done 3,850 miles in one week at 75+ getting 27 mpg. In comfort too.

Speakers in the doors---pickey pickey. As loud as it gets on the road you need 'em blasting in your ears to hear anything. I will try Gordon's noise cancelling ear plugs with the radio though--just got a set off ebay and they seem great.

List your concerns and get back to Kirk and go over your concerns. He's been in this long enough to know about all there is to know and can make you a great car.

Fine people Kirk and Mary.

What kind of prices were they asking for the "entry level" speedster?

75K

Mary and Kirk are gentle folk. Thank you all for filling in the blanks! VS selling basic car for $22,000 (per Kirk's price list).
Welcome all input!!!

I can't make it!

Michael,looking at your photo file, is that a full padded dash from Vintage in the red/silver car? looks nice ala JPS.

It's a sticker

Stock Vintage by Kirk and Company, came with the car. I only do accessories and decals :-)

Kind of a unique wrap at the windscreen post.

Does the dash vinyl go under the rubber or is it cut to fit against the side of the rubber?

I am wondering how I should trim mine.

Thanks.

Under, neat and nice, but I don't think it's the best solution.

Check out some others by starting a new post...

I like number 15, it's from a real speedster.

Peter, check JPS just for a comparison. I'm not sellin it. But when I looked I learned a lot. Also check used mkt.

Mike M. I set the dash vinyl half way under the windshield base molding so it has little chance of lifting over time. ~Alan

Alan,

Thanks.

I am in the process of replacing the posts.

Originally I installed the posts without any rubber thing.

I extended the vinyl fully under the post to act as a gasket.

Alan,

Thanks.

I am in the process of replacing the posts.

Originally I installed the posts without any rubber thing.

I extended the vinyl fully under the post to act as a gasket.

I plan to use a rubber thing now.

Sometimes, I use a Beetle rubber fender welting that has a n 1/8" bead
and sometimes I just mask off 1/8" " gap and shoot a narrow bead of silicone, wipe away the excess, pull the tape and be done with it. ~Alan

Peter, Did you buy the VS?

I took delivery of a new VS this past Jan. It's stock, except for the 1915 engine and 3:88 trans. This car is great fun to drive around the back roads of Sonoma and Napa counties. Any time I stop, I get raves from folks who think this is the greatest looking car. I am no mechanic, so when I had a couple problems with fuel leaks I phoned and emailed Kirk about them. He told me to get it fixed at his expense. He had to send a new carburetor and that did the trick. I have a local mechanic who handled the work. Kirk is true to his word and performs exactly as he says he will. I have seen hotter looking cars, both in person and on this web site, but for the money and service, I am very satisfied.

Paul - the smiles on your faces in your car says it all! Hope you continue to enjoy your new ride and that you'll join us on an SOC event in the future!

Peace - Out!

Michael, hang onto the old posts for me, will you? I have two sets now, neither of which is going to work as a set -- and I haven't put them onto the car to see how they'll mix and match.
The problem isn't alignment, it's the posts underneath. One set has a frozen nut, and the other has a bent pin.

Easy there, Vince. I actually looked for synonyms, but couldn't find any as descriptive. ;)

Paul, Hi,I'm in Rohnert Park now and,no, have not put any money down yet on a car. I'm thinking used versus new and I'm getting closer to a pull-the-trigger day. Hopefully in the spring!
I just saw your car in the registry as I've been busy moving the last month+. Congratulations. I will be looking sharply for a speedster in the classifieds. Just can't convince my wife to go for a brand-new car. She's very value conscious and as Most everyone here has counseled ,I should probably try ownership via a used one. I'm not knocking anyone for buying new-just don't think I can swing it. In the meantime I lurk!

Peter,
When you get one, let me know and we'll go for a ride. I'm sure I can get my neighbor with a Spyder to join us. Good luck!

Peter, you should think about contacting John Leader and having a look at his custom JPS. it's a sweet ride, and John's a perfectionist.
https://www.speedsterowners.com/forum/readmsg.asp?t=18816
It's listed by a consigned here:
http://www.californiacars.com/cardb/details.php?id=596
You'd be hard-pressed to find a cooler ride out that way.

I'll fly on your wing Peter. Pull the trigger!!

Mark

Yes,Thanks for the invitations, I will be looking for some comradery out on the road when the time comes. John Leaders car is very cool. Don't think that I haven't been pondering it along with others.

Mark, are you in Windsor as well?