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Welcome Gazi,

 

I too went through the process and picked up a Beck last month.  My journey can be found at https://www.speedsterowners.com...ent/2135445019634263.  I hope you find it informative.

 

Words of advice is to take your time, do your research, and ask the experts on this site for their advice (it's priceless and they'll save you a lot of headaches).

 

I can tell you these cars are a blast to drive, but you'll have to trust us and experience it yourself.  Good luck and let the "madness begin!" 

This is not the type of vehicle to purchase if you don't like to tinker.  If you're accustomed to Honda/Toyota reliability you will be disappointed.

I believe part of the reason we continually see low mileage replicas for sale is people fall in love with the idea of owning one, but soon lose that love when they realize their baby needs regular maintenance (and often more), and they often have a hard time finding a reliable mechanic who knows how to work on these cars.

Now, I may be biased, since I've had continuous problems with my IM's relatively new  (3,500 miles) engine.

A watercooled IM would be nice, but as Terry mentioned in the above post, "How deep are your pockets?"

I disagree, regardless of your mechanical skill or inclination to actually get your hand dirty, buying one of these cars, provided it's what you want to do, is no different than buying any car.   In this case, you don't get a warranty and, you'll be forced to search for an "old school" mechanic familiar with working on Volkswagens and or dunebuggies.   If you buy a replica with a VW engine then the mechanic should have knowledge in the area of dual carburetors.   When searching for a mechanic, remember, nothing on these cars is "real Porsche"  So don't confuse the issues,  Think VW   Once the mechanic issue is out of the way then just drive the car and have fun.

Henry doesnt take buyers for all their worth.  He manufactures a very high quality product that those who buy are always extremely satisfied with.... 

 

When I started the search I took one night and read through all of the members comments on their own cars and I found that IM owners had the most positive things to say about their cars in their comments and in their ratings of them.  That was a factor in determining which way I would go.  I drove a Vintage, a Beck and an IM.  The IM was for me due to the fit and finish, the leg room and Henry.  The cars are AWESOME!!  To each his own...

 

Here is Henry's number:

 

Henry Reisner

President

Intermeccanica International Inc.

www.intermeccanica.com

604-872-4747

 

I think it's just my car.   Actually, just my engine.  The rest of the car works great.

I bought an EFI kit that I can't make work properly and I can't find anyone local who can work on this specific brand.

Trying to fix my EFI system via the phone/email has its limitations.

My engine is also running quite hot, considering I've got a doghouse oil cooler AND a Mesa external oil cooler/fan.

Very frustrating.

While going to university I drove a 1970 VW Beetle.  It was basically stock, with dual Kadrons and a header.  I put 70,000 miles on that car and had very few problems.  Had a valve grind at 75,000 miles and adjusted the carbs every couple of years.  Add oil changes and valve adjustments, and that was it for engine maintenance.

 

Ron, if there is a next time, do what I did.  Subaru water cooled Boxer.  Like the movie Moonstruck when Cosimo tells the young couple that he only uses copper.  "It cost more becuase it saves more"  If you are into long trips the WC Suby is just awsome.  The real heat and air only adds to the enjoyment.  The only other engine I would put into an IM is a Pro-built Type-4 with Dells.  Good luck.  You will get it sorted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Last edited by Marty Grzynkowicz

Where is the radiator located? Mine (in the Spyder) is in the front, but there is no problem here because there is an original "grill" to allow the air to flow directly to the radiator. So...how does the coolant system work in the Speedster? I see what appears to be a radiator hose in the lower left of one of the pics, but no radiator, so I assume that it must be to the rear of the engine. Seems to me that this might pose a cooling problem. Any pics would be appreciated.

 

Intermeccanica puts its radiator in the front.

Marty, I may be going Subie power yet.  Jake Raby is coming out with a bunch of Subaru powered kits for Beetles, kit cars, etc.  The kits will include everything one will need to do the conversion.  There is even an option to go with a Subie Transmission.  It won't be cheap, but knowing Jake it will be done right, which is very important to me.

The kits range from mild to wild and will start at $14,000+

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