Thanks Will
I have one Too... Gary Iam fairly sure your car was built by Kirks team before Greg took over the shop in Hawaiian Gardens. it was ordered by Park Place they ordered several of these for re-sale, the color is Champagne Beige not Butterscotch, the engine is likely to be a 1915 cc with freeway flyer gears, this was a common package that Park place would have ordered for there showroom. Take a picture behind the motor of the top of the transmission, there should be a number written on top of the transmission that will tell you if its a 1915 cc or ??? most of these motors were junk, I purchased my car with 500 miles from a private party in Palm Springs this year, and we had to take the engine out because it was not healthy, and when my mechanic opened up the motor we were shocked at what we found. Needless to say I had to build a new motor. I have a ownership paper trail that shows my car started out as one of Kirks cars and sold to Park Place new for resale. Yes these cars need some sorting out. I sure love my car now.
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The "build sheet" from Park Place notes the transmission is a 4.12 final drive.
it could still be a freeway flyer
steven muccillo posted:I have one Too... Gary Iam fairly sure your car was built by Kirks team before Greg took over the shop in Hawaiian Gardens. it was ordered by Park Place they ordered several of these for re-sale, the color is Champagne Beige not Butterscotch, the engine is likely to be a 1915 cc with freeway flyer gears, this was a common package that Park place would have ordered for there showroom. Take a picture behind the motor of the top of the transmission, there should be a number written on top of the transmission that will tell you if its a 1915 cc or ??? most of these motors were junk, I purchased my car with 500 miles from a private party in Palm Springs this year, and we had to take the engine out because it was not healthy, and when my mechanic opened up the motor we were shocked at what we found. Needless to say I had to build a new motor. I have a ownership paper trail that shows my car started out as one of Kirks cars and sold to Park Place new for resale. Yes these cars need some sorting out. I sure love my car now.
Having to replace an engine goes beyond a car needing some sorting out, at least as far as I'm concerned. Care to share what your mechanic found when he opened up the engine.
Bill
Good morning... we found a used worn out motor, with warped heads. The machining was horrible and the parts were used.
I thought Kirk often times would write the displacement on the front side of the shroud. (Front side=front of the car).
Perhaps this was an individual builder who did this? Building 3000+ cars over the years Kirk had several engine builders.
Art posted:I thought Kirk often times would write the displacement on the front side of the shroud. (Front side=front of the car).
Perhaps this was an individual builder who did this? Building 3000+ cars over the years Kirk had several engine builders.
From what i understand Kirk or someone else wrote the engine size on the shroud because the engines were lined up in the shop. Because all of these motors look the same the size had to be written on it so you picked up the right one.
steven muccillo posted:"most of these motors were junk, I purchased my car with 500 miles from a private party in Palm Springs this year, and we had to take the engine out because it was not healthy, and when my mechanic opened up the motor we were shocked at what we found. Needless to say I had to build a new motor."
Steven. Just because the motor in you car was junk, doesn't mean that "most" of Kirk's motors "were junk." That is simply not true, in fact most of Kirk's thousands of motors were just fine! Additionally, you bought your car from a private party and have no idea if it's even the motor that Kirk originally put in the car.
Blanket statements like this are so unfair. Especially when they are directed at someone like Kirk who brought so much pleasure to so many Speedster owners and did so much for the replica Speedster community over the years.
This motor was the original motor that came from vintage speedsters in Hawaiian Gardens it’s documented on all the paperwork. I also had an in-depth conversation with a couple of the guys at Parkplace who said they had issues with the motors as well. I read online on some of the VW and speedster forms that the old Vintage speedsters has lots of issues with engines that’s why he went through so many different engine builders. I believe Greg the new owner of vintage speedsters is now using CB Performance exclusively to build his motors.
steven muccillo posted:This motor was the original motor that came from vintage speedsters in Hawaiian Gardens it’s documented on all the paperwork. I also had an in-depth conversation with a couple of the guys at Parkplace who said they had issues with the motors as well. I read online on some of the VW and speedster forms that the old Vintage speedsters has lots of issues with engines that’s why he went through so many different engine builders. I believe Greg the new owner of vintage speedsters is now using CB Performance exclusively to build his motors.
Once again. Greg IS NOT the new owner of Vintage Speedsters! Greg simply moved his existing company into the location of the old Vintage Speedsters. Vintage Speedsters was bought and moved to Scottsdale Arizona and Greg's company Vintage Motorcars of California Inc. is a totally different company.
Please post the documentation that proves your engine came from Vintage Speedsters.
Greg's motors are built in house, not by CB Performance, but Greg does use a very nice CB Performance package that was developed by Pat Downs on his engine builds.
By the way, it appears that you just joined the SOC yesterday, welcome to the madness.
Troy Sloan posted:steven muccillo posted:"most of these motors were junk, I purchased my car with 500 miles from a private party in Palm Springs this year, and we had to take the engine out because it was not healthy, and when my mechanic opened up the motor we were shocked at what we found. Needless to say I had to build a new motor."
Steven. Just because the motor in you car was junk, doesn't mean that "most" of Kirk's motors "were junk." That is simply not true, in fact most of Kirk's thousands of motors were just fine! Additionally, you bought your car from a private party and have no idea if it's even the motor that Kirk originally put in the car.
Blanket statements like this are so unfair. Especially when they are directed at someone like Kirk who brought so much pleasure to so many Speedster owners and did so much for the replica Speedster community over the years.
Troy:
You just struck a nerve and I've got to respond. You're absolutely right! My experience with Kirk and "his" motors was spectacular, and it proved to me from the get-go that he was a really "stand-up" guy. I picked up my Speedy at his shop mid-December of 2008 (jeez, I can't believe that's almost 11 years ago) and after only 4 months of cautious "breakin" driving, I set out for my first West Coast Knucklehead Madness Cruise (Morro Bay, CA). I got only 90 miles when the motor seized, stopped, and left me alongside Highway 101 with the odometer reading less than 500 miles. You can imagine the panic and frustration I went through over that weekend...until I spoke with Kirk the following Monday. I'd had Speedy flat-bedded back to my mechanic's shop, he subsequently confirmed with Kirk that the motor was "toast," and that's when Kirk stood up: A new motor was trucked up from Hawaiian Gardens to San Carlos, and the "toast" was sent back to Kirk. My Gawd, he even paid my mechanic for the out-and-in exchange! What more could anyone have asked for? Fast forward to November, 2019, and Speedy has given me 20,000 miles of nothing but great fun. That replacement motor still purrs like a kitten...unless it's on the Sonoma Raceway - that's where I let it all hang out. The Bottom Line is I wish I'd had a "Kirk Duncan Warranty" on a few more major purchases I've made in my life!
Nothing against Kirk just stating the facts that I wish Kirk was still around in my 2015 speedster motor failed me maybe he would’ve replaced it but unfortunately he’s not around any longer to do so. Hey I love the car and have nothing but a lot of fun with it now that I have a new reliable motor and I have sorted out a few other items.
No I’ve been a member for a couple of years unfortunately I forgot what my password was so I signed in with a different email address and password
Yes Justin is the new owner of vintage speedsters in Arizona I know him well and his employees
Let me get this straight. You knew that Justin was the new owner of Vintage Speedsters, but you still posted this?!?! "I believe Greg the new owner of vintage speedsters... "
I'd still love to see that documentation about your engine.
For what reason do you need to see documentation about my vehicle???
steven muccillo posted:For what reason do you need to see documentation about my vehicle???
There is a lot of owner loyalty to the builders who have made effort at providing a good product in the crazy market of 356 replicas. When someone bad mouths one of the builders who has a good reputation here, the folks here want more than opinion.
I didn’t give my opinion I shared my experience there’s a big difference.
steven muccillo posted:For what reason do you need to see documentation about my vehicle???
You made a point of saying that you have documentation that shows the bad engine in your car is the one that was originally put in the car by Vintage when it was built. That is certainly possible, but since you want to blame Kirk for the bad engine, I think it's only fair to Kirk to prove it.
Sounds to me that this is between Kirk and Steve.
Not when he makes untrue statements and unfounded claims on a public forum. Like it's frequently been stated here, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not to their own facts.
So you've already decided he isn't telling the truth? Why ask for data on his engine then?
I would imagine that Kirk, no longer a principal at Vintage, could speak for himself, if he wanted to.
I've always wondered why you seem to inject yourself any time anything is said that doesn't necessarily reflect well on Vintage Speedsters or Vintage Motorcars.
But go ahead, have at it.
Thanks for your permission.
That is what you focused on from that post?
Geez just because a guy showed off his New Whip!! No matter what motor you got or who made it etc; It’s your’s it’s a Sweet car go out and enjoy it Brother!! You live in Cal. you could be like me and not get to drive it for another 5-6 month’s
I didn't blame Kirk... this public form is full of information that discusses all of the bad motors that were coming from kirks shop, Iam not blaming Kirk, whoever was building Kirks motors was to blame. Earlier in this thread someone mentioned his first trip to Morrow. bay in his new vintage speedster built by Kirks Company, what happened (HIS MOTOR SEIZED) AND KIRK STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE AND REPLACED THE MOTOR FOR HIS CUSTOMER. (NOW THATS WHAT I CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE)
@@Gary Mitchell. Congrats on your purchase. Beautiful speedster. Amazing color.
Dont worry about your mechanical knowledge, as not everyone on here is a whiz, myself included.
What I have found is that folks on here are quite helpful. Chances are, if you do have any issues, you’re probably not the first to have that issue. A simple “advance search” should narrow it down. If all else fails, ask away. There’s no such thing as a dumb question. The only advice I can bring (mechanically speaking), purchase a few 10mm sockets. They are like socks. God knows where they end up.
***I swear I just set it down right here a minute ago.
We all love these little clown cars, and love seeing new people enter the hobby (or madness).
I’m looking forward to reading your future posts about the fun times you are having.
Thanks Kevin!