New Owner

Hi Ken, and Welcome To The Madness known as Speedster ownership!  If the pics are of the Speedster you're buying it's a great looking car.  With 2650 cc's I'm guessing that it has a type 4 engine- you're looking for a good aircooled mechanic (someone who still works on VW stuff and knows dual carburetors).  Don't think that a Porsche dealership will service what you have; they may not even want to look at a replica, and if they do prices will be outrageous, and most of the mechanics there won't have a clue.  Wanting to make your car more "Porsche like" is up to you, but know that a lot of P owners won't think much of a replica (it doesn't have a P vin #) so don't expect to be welcomed into fold.

Enjoy what you have for what it is- a super cool car to drive, and remember we're all here to help with whatever comes up.  Al

PS- I'm in Vancouver

Thanks for the info, Al. I don't really care what Porsche owners think (I am one already lol ,maybe real Speedster owners are different). I just want a fun car that satisfies may boyhood fantasies. As for the emblems, It is a replica and I would never deny that, it would be for my own need to get it as close to the original as possible that I would apply them. For a mechanic I will look around, Pfaff Reserve (who I got the car from and I have a pretty good relationship with, as they service my McLaren and I sold my Ferrari to them), said they would be happy to service the car but they would charge quit a bit. I will look for an independent mechanic in the meantime.

Welcome aboard Ken,

Nice Car barrel of fun.......you said it was new, from the factory? and if so how long did you have to wait to get it? I have only been with the group for a short period of time and everyone has been very friendly and helpful.....good to have you aboard!

Larry

It was purchased new by Pfaff Reserve, a dealer in Calgary, I am purchasing it through them. I think it is costing me about 5K more than buying it direct, downside I don't get to pick my spec and $$, upside don't have to worry about importing into Canada or registering as dealer will do it and has done it in the past.

Glad to hear it Ken; drive the tires off that thing!  You're also getting it right away vs having to wait for it to be built.  If you can't find an aircooled shop still in operation get in touch with the local VW clubs- someone will know who to take it to.  Enjoy- spring is here!  Al

PS- Have your salesman double check with Vintage as to engine size- I looked at the pics on the Pfaff site and really don't think what's in the car is 2650 cc's.  What's pictured looks like a type 1 (Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Thing) engine and although that big is technically possible, I know a little about what Vintage builds and I can't see them putting such an expensive engine in a car specced for resale.

PS- I'm guessing it's an 1835 or 1915

@KenTO

The car you are purchasing is a Vintage Motorcars of California Speedster (www.vintagemotorcarsinc.com) not a Vintage Speedster. I know there is a lot of confusion between the two companies do a search on this site for more info.

Greg

@KenTO posted:

1. As I will only be driving it once a week or less, how do I prevent the battery from draining? Is a plug in tender an option?

2. What is the procedure for winter storage? Top up or down and car cover? Hyperinflate tires? Put battery on a tender? Fuel stabilizer?

3. What should I look for when picking up the car? It is brand new.

4. This is the controversial bit. I want to have the car look more "Porsche" like, so would like to add a rear Porsche emblem and one on the dash. What is a good place to get these from and how do I apply it?

5. Any one know of a good mechanic in Toronto who could maintain it? it could take it to the dealer (Pfaff McLaren/Reserve) but they would charge me an arm and a leg.

5. Any other advice for a newbie? It would be nice to have a sticky with all the Newbie advice on it. Perhaps it is on the site but I haven't found it.

1. Buy a trickle charger and plug it in.

2. Store it top up, side curtains in, with a cover. Put the tender on it and use a good fuel stabilizer (I use StaBil red). Tire inflation is up to you; 36 lbs would be good probably. You'll be running lower pressures in-season.

3. @Gordon Nichols has a book-length list. Really just make sure nothing's loose or leaking, tires are inflated and you should be fine.

4. Stoddard. You want the 8-inch script. You can carefully drill holes for them or do what many here do and grind the studs off the emblems and use 3m double-sided emblem tape, carefully trimmed to fit. In many cases the 'glass body is a little too thick for the speed nuts to get the studs anyway so a little adhesive is often needed regardless.

5. ...

6. Yes it would.

Ken.  I don't know where in Toronto you are, but I own an Intermeccanica speedster, and get it serviced at Mantis Automotive in Oakville.  They are a Porsche and European garage that is well known to GTA drivers.

I am sure they can look after your car.  I am north of Campbellville.

Congratulations on your purchase - looks like a great car.

Cheers.

Thanks for all the advice, I think you are right, It is a Vintage Motorcars of California replica, as I am new to this I found two companies with similar names very confusing. I am located in North York, Oakville is a little bit far out for me, I was thinking about taking the car to Peter's Garage downtown, he has been working on VW Beatles and imports for a long time.

@KenTO posted:

It was purchased new by Pfaff Reserve, a dealer in Calgary, I am purchasing it through them. I think it is costing me about 5K more than buying it direct, downside I don't get to pick my spec and $$, upside don't have to worry about importing into Canada or registering as dealer will do it and has done it in the past.

Definitely the way to go,,,,

@KenTO posted:

I was thinking about taking the car to Peter's Garage downtown, he has been working on VW Beatles and imports for a long time.

Before letting him touch your Speedster ask if he's familiar with hotrodded VW engines- guys who have only ever built/tuned stock engines sometimes have trouble with aftermarket distributors, dual carburetor sets and their settings.  Al

@KenTO posted:

Thanks for all the advice, I think you are right, It is a Vintage Motorcars of California replica, as I am new to this I found two companies with similar names very confusing. I am located in North York, Oakville is a little bit far out for me, I was thinking about taking the car to Peter's Garage downtown, he has been working on VW Beatles and imports for a long time.

Hi Ken, I use to goto Peter's garage in the late 70's off College near Euclid I think  Peter did excellent work on my Westfalia and Karmann Ghia.   A few streets over Willie's Downton Porsche was a small shop who worked on my 356A coupe(59) Willie was a long time racer of 356s but he is no longer with us.

I live in Trudeaustan and have an IM, there are a few of us north of the 49th.  Enjoy the car and the return to older technology. Ray

Thanks! It’s going to be intersecting comparing this to my other convertible, a McLaren 600LT Spider, which is great on the track, not so much on city roads. It’s the old saying, which is more fun? Driving a slow car fast or a fast car slow.

@KenTO posted:

It was purchased new by Pfaff Reserve, a dealer in Calgary, I am purchasing it through them. I think it is costing me about 5K more than buying it direct, downside I don't get to pick my spec and $$, upside don't have to worry about importing into Canada or registering as dealer will do it and has done it in the past.

Or waiting 2-3 years. Our little cars are pretty popular so it's hard for Greg and Carey to keep up.  

PS: love the White/blue.

@KenTO posted:

Thanks! It’s going to be intersecting comparing this to my other convertible, a McLaren 600LT Spider, which is great on the track, not so much on city roads. It’s the old saying, which is more fun? Driving a slow car fast or a fast car slow.

It won't even be close- A Speedster is Waayyy More Fun!

I'm interested if they are able to register a new 356 Speedster as a year-of-donor-frame VW or how your car will be registered. Officially, don't these cars still have to be built 15 years ago to be imported ?

I will let you know when the car gets here and what the dealer does

@ALB posted:

Glad to hear it Ken; drive the tires off that thing!  You're also getting it right away vs having to wait for it to be built.  If you can't find an aircooled shop still in operation get in touch with the local VW clubs- someone will know who to take it to.  Enjoy- spring is here!  Al

PS- Have your salesman double check with Vintage as to engine size- I looked at the pics on the Pfaff site and really don't think what's in the car is 2650 cc's.  What's pictured looks like a type 1 (Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Thing) engine and although that big is technically possible, I know a little about what Vintage builds and I can't see them putting such an expensive engine in a car specced for resale.

PS- I'm guessing it's an 1835 or 1915

You are correct, it was misleading on the Pfaff website, purchase agreement shows a 2332 cc engine with 145 hp.

This is all information. I just bought my Speedster Vintage Motor cars from August Motors in Kelowna. Now as I live in New Brunswick, Canada.. they will be shipping to her. Fantastic to read about another Canadian owner and learning how to maintain and store for in the winter.

Carlos