Hi all. I’ve just bought my first speedster, it’s a Covin replica based on Vw type 3 suspension and a scratch built chassis. It also has a removable hard top.
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We'd love to see pictures of the chassis. Where are Covins from?
The were built in the Uk in the 90,s, they didn’t do many speedsters, 30 I believe. They were more well known for their 911 replica. The company doesn’t exist anymore though.
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Who built the chassis?
The wide mounting points for the suspension should help with torsional rigidity. this will be interesting to watch.
Not sure who built the chassis, possibly Covin, I think that’s how they supplied there kits. I’ll be improving it though.
COVIN made a great looking 911 Turbo. I've seen photos of slant nose and cabriolets too. Early ones were VW pan based but later were custom chassis with Type 3 suspension. I've seen maybe 2 for sale in US. I can see Porsche AG getting upset over the 911 replica!
I wasn't aware of the 356 models. Your's looks to have the taller D windshield (and maybe windup windows?)
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That's quite the project. Cool that it's a T-3 chassis - That makes it IRS and weren't they a little wider for front foot room? Pretty nice shop it's sitting in, too!
Since you're on here, I'm sure you know many of us have built cars from scratch so don't be afraid to ask questions. The Covin body may be a little different for us but I'm sure we can either answer all of your questions or totally confuse you - maybe both at the same time!
Gordon
The Speedster Guy from Grafton
(2 towns away from either Oxford, Leicester or Marlboro (Massachusetts)
Congratulations and welcome!
@WOLFGANG posted:COVIN made a great looking 911 Turbo. I've seen photos of slant nose and cabriolets too. Early ones were VW pan based but later were custom chassis with Type 3 suspension. I've seen maybe 2 for sale in US. I can see Porsche AG getting upset over the 911 replica!
I wasn't aware of the 356 models. Your's looks to have the taller D windshield (and maybe windup windows?)
Well I’ve learnt something straight away, I thought the windscreen was odd, so it was from a convertible D? The problem I have that it doesn’t match up to the hardtop. What screen would the hard top use. Does the rest of the car look like converD, obviously not the wings.
@Gordon Nichols posted:That's quite the project. Cool that it's a T-3 chassis - That makes it IRS and weren't they a little wider for front foot room? Pretty nice shop it's sitting in, too!
Since you're on here, I'm sure you know many of us have built cars from scratch so don't be afraid to ask questions. The Covin body may be a little different for us but I'm sure we can either answer all of your questions or totally confuse you - maybe both at the same time!
Gordon
The Speedster Guy from Grafton
(2 towns away from either Oxford, Leicester or Marlboro (Massachusetts)
Thanks for the welcome. The rear chassis is swing axel from an earlier type 3, but I’ll probably change it to IRS. That’s my shop it’s in, I restore Aircooled VWs for a living, but never done a Speedster.
Looks like the windshield corner posts are for a convertible D as well. The hard top probably wants to see a Speedster windshield.
Good Lord! We're 12 posts in and no one has done our traditional welcome:
Welcome to the Madness!!!
Yes, that is one cool, unique Speedster and it's a Wide body as well!. Welcome to the the madness from a fellow Flared fender Speedster owner. What type of engine are you going to use? .
So the red circled items are the convertible D windshield post and the green circled looks like bit for the top between the two. I've never seen the taller top without windup side windows but I don't see the slot for glass in the doors.
It does take a taller windscreen - assume from a convertible D? Check the front of the hardtop - a speedster windshield is arched from side to side the D is pretty much flat across. The top frame and fabric top itself are taller too.
The speedster posts are easy to come by - those D ones are rare. Someone here on SOC was looking for a pair (or was it just 1)?
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@WOLFGANG posted:So the red circled items are the convertible D windshield post and the green circled looks like bit for the top between the two. I've never seen the taller top without windup side windows but I don't see the slot for glass in the doors.
It does take a taller windscreen - assume from a convertible D? Check the front of the hardtop - a speedster windshield is arched from side to side the D is pretty much flat across. The top frame and fabric top itself are taller too.
The speedster posts are easy to come by - those D ones are rare. Someone here on SOC was looking for a pair (or was it just 1)?
That’s some great info Wolfgang. Your right it is the convert D windshield, but I’m not sure it was intended for that car, the bottom rail doesn’t follow the same curve on the body. The doors aren’t open at the top, but could they be cut in , also is the D pillar on the door or on the windshield?
@Kerry smith posted:is the D pillar on the door or on the windshield?
Wanna think that one through again?
Welcome. Looking forward to watching your progress.
@dlearl476 posted:Wanna think that one through again?
Welcome. Looking forward to watching your progress.
Think what through?
His point is that the pillar has to be solid and stationary which means it is on the body
@IaM-Ray posted:His point is that the pillar has to be solid and stationary which means it is on the body
Thanks for clearing that up, that’s why I asked!