Just Bought a New VMC 550 Spyder

Very nice. I love the silver, and the stitching on the seats.

@Chappy

DANG! That looks great. Nice score on that car. Now just looking forward to some pics of you in the driver's seat enjoying that bad boy.

I love it. Excellent, @Chappy - just excellent.

Well holy mother-lovin' shyt!!  What's not to like?  Gorgeous car.  Please, be careful, keep it between the lines and out of the weeds.  And post up pictures, lots of pictures.

https://www.speedsterowners.co...9#700375123086705469

After talking about the Kadrons v Webers yesterday I felt like this was kismet. Not saying the carb type would’ve been a deal breaker but I did in fact take it as a sign.

Congratulations, what great luck. It's a fantastic car!

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Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, Chappy,
Change thy oil with gladness, set thy valves with singing,
Enter into thy garage with thanksgiving, raise thy clamshell with praise.
For the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting,
And it’s a miracle He lets us have toys like this.

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Congratulations! That's a beautiful car.

I'll join in the chorus of praise here, @Chappy.  Absolutely beautiful, and Welcome to the Madness!!!

That escalated quickly.

Congratulations on the purchase.

@Sacto Mitch posted:

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Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, Chappy,
Change thy oil with gladness, set thy valves with singing,
Enter into thy garage with thanksgiving, raise thy clamshell with praise.
For the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting,
And it’s a miracle He lets us have toys like this.

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Appreciate all the well wishes. I’ve been frantically researching as much as possible, on as much as possible. As I was expecting to have another almost 2 years before ownership of the 356.

Newb questions- Can anyone advise on recommended fuel grade for this set up? 87 good, anything higher too rich?

does the shifter have a reverse lock out mechanism i.e do I need to toggle right in neutral prior to engaging in 1st from reverse?

with little no no humidity here in the PNW, do you folks have a “it’s probably too hot for an extended trip, temperature” that you tend to abide by?

im going to hopefully have a chat w Greg next week prior to delivery but just spitballing here.

that being said, looks like it’s time for me to become a Supporting Member. Thank you all again for your wisdom and kind words!

@Chappy posted:

Can anyone advise on recommended fuel grade for this set up? 87 good, anything higher too rich?  Please don't use the 87. Run 93 if you can get it, 91 if you can't.

does the shifter have a reverse lock out mechanism i.e do I need to toggle right in neutral prior to engaging in 1st from reverse? It'll most likely have some sort of reverse lock-out, but you'll want the tutorial from Greg.

with little no no humidity here in the PNW, do you folks have a “it’s probably too hot for an extended trip, temperature” that you tend to abide by?  You'll get a lot of opinions here that will be different than what I think, but in my mind, the answer is "100 deg". Winter is long and miserable. Summers are way too short to whine about anything under 100. Just deal with it - wear comfortable shorts, use sun-block, and buy a hat.

When it comes to the temperature that's too hot for driving think about the temperature is too hot for sitting in traffic. And that's only if you have to SIT in traffic to get to a drive. I have about 3.7 miles to drive from my house to a freeway. Once on that freeway I can get to some of my most favorite curvy foothill roads without ever stopping except for a rural stop sign that I barely stop at anyway. But if you have to sit in traffic just to get to a drive your tolerances may be a bit lower than mine.

I agree with Stan, that temps of 100 degree is not fun in an open car. However, I have driven open cars all across the country for years without a top and it wasn't bad if you are prepared. Dress for the sun with light weight long sleeve shirt, good sunglasses, some kind of head gear to shade your head and protect your soft chewy, apply a good sun block, drink lots of water, even if you are not thirsty because your body will sweat and evaporate without you knowing it, and cause you to be dehydrated. Another trick I use is a small collapsable umbrella that I keep by the seat and use if I'm sitting in traffic or stuck at a railroad crossing for a half hour in nowhere land. I also wear a neckercheif to keep the bees from going down my shirt, Never a good thing! I've been across the desert in 115 degree and it feels like someone has a hair dryer blowing in your face. But if you are prepared for it, it can be done with some planning and your friend, water !!

@Butcher Boy posted:

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Can you share info about your head gear, helmet?

@Butcher Boy posted:

I agree with Stan, that temps of 100 degree is not fun in an open car. However, I have driven open cars all across the country for years without a top and it wasn't bad if you are prepared. Dress for the sun with light weight long sleeve shirt, good sunglasses, some kind of head gear to shade your head and protect your soft chewy, apply a good sun block, drink lots of water, even if you are not thirsty because your body will sweat and evaporate without you knowing it, and cause you to be dehydrated. Another trick I use is a small collapsable umbrella that I keep by the seat and use if I'm sitting in traffic or stuck at a railroad crossing for a half hour in nowhere land. I also wear a neckercheif to keep the bees from going down my shirt, Never a good thing! I've been across the desert in 115 degree and it feels like someone has a hair dryer blowing in your face. But if you are prepared for it, it can be done with some planning and your friend, water !!

I am 100% certain we could be good friends, man. I agree with every word of that.

people drive these cars with clothes on? I kid.

I was more speaking to high temps in relationship to the car getting adequate cooling, I’ve driven convertibles in 100 degree weather and understand the trials and tribulations with that decision.

also- speed bumps. I can’t leave my house without encountering them on any of the roads. With the Billstein’s and how low the car sits, is it a pucker up, creep, and hope for the best, or should I be good.

any worries about changing elevations w the carbs? Like starting at sea level then going over the pass (Mt Hood pass is ~7k elevation) and then back down in the same day?

Thank you all for your input! I can only visualize the sighs and head shakes as you’re reading this lol