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Is anyone interested in an affordable REAL Spyder shifter setup?

FM Former Member
Hello,

I have a Beck which I have been working on non-stop since I bought it. It has Russ's aluminum interior and lots of Dario and Russ items. The interior is perfect except I can't stand the stock shifter look. It works fine, but it is in the wrong place, rubs against the seat and feels cheap. After looking for an authentic reproduction Spyder shift setup, I gave up on New Year's Eve. I have spent the past week working to build a perfect reproduction. I will make two versions - one for real Spyders (I already have two people committed) and a second version for Beck (and TR and Vintage) which will be a bolt on conversion. I will post more when I have a completed prototype, but I am wondering how many people would be interested. The kit will include the proper tapered front shift lever, knob, base, and fittings as well as the rear bal crank, bearing arm, pre-selector rod, straight shift rod, and shift rod coupling. It will basically be a bolt on replacement for a Beck and should work without much fuss for a Vintage too. I haven't determined pricing yet, but I am wondering how many people are interested and how much it is worth to everyone. I think I should be able to keep the cost under $1000 but I'm not sure yet. The price definitely depends on quantity. I was told by a prominent 550 restorer that the cost of the front shifter unit alone is $4500! We will be building these using CNC milling machines and high quantities 100+? I hope. I may also sell just the parts for around 1/2 to 3/4 the price without having to assemble and weld all the machined pieces together. This option may be interesting for those with more time than money. Thoughts? Feedback? Thanks! With enough interest, I may be able to offer a complete setup for $500, but I would need to make over 100. Thoughts and comments are welcome.

Thanks,
Robert Boyle


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FM Former Member
Hello,

I have a Beck which I have been working on non-stop since I bought it. It has Russ's aluminum interior and lots of Dario and Russ items. The interior is perfect except I can't stand the stock shifter look. It works fine, but it is in the wrong place, rubs against the seat and feels cheap. After looking for an authentic reproduction Spyder shift setup, I gave up on New Year's Eve. I have spent the past week working to build a perfect reproduction. I will make two versions - one for real Spyders (I already have two people committed) and a second version for Beck (and TR and Vintage) which will be a bolt on conversion. I will post more when I have a completed prototype, but I am wondering how many people would be interested. The kit will include the proper tapered front shift lever, knob, base, and fittings as well as the rear bal crank, bearing arm, pre-selector rod, straight shift rod, and shift rod coupling. It will basically be a bolt on replacement for a Beck and should work without much fuss for a Vintage too. I haven't determined pricing yet, but I am wondering how many people are interested and how much it is worth to everyone. I think I should be able to keep the cost under $1000 but I'm not sure yet. The price definitely depends on quantity. I was told by a prominent 550 restorer that the cost of the front shifter unit alone is $4500! We will be building these using CNC milling machines and high quantities 100+? I hope. I may also sell just the parts for around 1/2 to 3/4 the price without having to assemble and weld all the machined pieces together. This option may be interesting for those with more time than money. Thoughts? Feedback? Thanks! With enough interest, I may be able to offer a complete setup for $500, but I would need to make over 100. Thoughts and comments are welcome.

Thanks,
Robert Boyle


FM Former Member
Hello...great that you have the drive and desire to do something for the restoration of the original specs of the spyder. the second photo for the shifter is not clear to get the flavor of the complexity of the parts required for the installation. I just made a change on my car with the prowlers side shfter...I like it!.... i removed the cable type shifter.

would I get one ...not sure ...but all depend in the application and how well it works. under normal conditions my conversion cost about $450.00 in parts plus labor. the price you for the one you are working on may apear high for some but it will be be fine for others.

I hope you are succesful in your venture. keep us posted.
FM Former Member
I have made a lot of progress. The rear mechanism prototype is complete and the cost came in just about where I expected it. We are measuring the front portion now and should have finished CAD drawings for pricing by the end of next week. I'm super excited about this and I need to make it work since I've completely disassembled my Spyder to make the conversion. :)

-Robert

FM Former Member
All of the designs are now complete and the components are at the machine shop. I am only making 20 to start. The first 16 will ship right away (one is for my car, one is for a friend's real Spyder, and 2 are for a customer in Europe who has been begging me for them for two months! :) I still don't have final pricing, but I should by the end of this week or early next week. I am waiting for pricing back from the vendor who will harden the shift ball and socket and from the company in Germany who makes the universal joint for the rod. Without the hardening, the unit will wear quickly even with a lot of grease. Once the components are hardened, they will last longer than the original did. I am also having the proper Spyder shift knobs made and I recieved the prototype today. They are PERFECT! I am really excited about this project. There will be two versions initially, one for Becks and one for real Porsche Spyders. If anyone in the NJ area has a Vintage and wants a correct shifter, I'll give you a good deal and help you install it if you bring your car to my place so we can test fit it and make any needed modifications to my system.

-Robert

btw- I am also going to make a correct jack, a correct starter button, and correct dash switches and knobs by summer.

FM Former Member
Hi gang,

I told all of you in February that I would be making a correct Spyder shifter. I have completed my prototype and will be ready to sell them shortly.

users.tellurian.com/robert/shifter5.jpg

I will also be selling a few other parts which I have made - correct dash switches, a correct starter button, correct parking brake lever, correct clear plastic covered fusebox, correct pedals, and more. I will be launching my new website soon and talking to the folks here at SO about becoming a sponsor. Anyway, I just wanted to give all of you a sneak peek. Those who have already placed orders are first in line!

-Robert

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