Racing Wolfgang for the longest speedster build in history...

We're always interested in build threads, Wrenn.  Have at it, but expect significant thread divergence at points along the way.  We have short attention spans and are distracted by every squirrel we see.

Ahh a new build thread and fun to follow ! Because they are over 50 years old crush cage columns are getting dicey I have seen a number of the cages crack and fail. from both age and misalignment that causes stress on it.  Despite the solid shaft concerns its that better way to go. If you want to go with a tilt column Speedway has them for under $300 but you'll need a 1" D to VW spline adapter which I happen to have one that I machined but never used.

I'm for the challenge - now that Mike Mck is no longer a threat.  Rec'd kit ifrom CMC via Pilot Trucking Nov 1988.  Car has moved from FL (as donor bug) to Springfield VA and when I retired DoD in 2010, it got towed back to FL (as a 90% complete Speedster).  Although maybe 90% complete - engine no longer readily turns over (never been started after rebuild).  Wiring still loose ends.  Top & tonneau not installed.  Decided after 30 years lipstick red interior was no longer me and decided on tan/beige (have seat/top/tonneau but nothing else). 

I have an extra hibachi grill when you get to that point - extra frunk hood too.

Let's not forget Mr. Blanchette, that is ALB in these parts. I think he's actually BEATING Greg for the prize....I think he's had his car longer.

Hi Lane, squirrels away!  let me help https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTvS9lvRxZ8 .

@Wolfgang, I'm winning   I think this kit was originally acquired late 80's then traded to my dad.. the body has never been bolted to a Pan.  The wiring harnsess is still in the bag, the bumpers are still in the box, the gauges are still in the box, frunk hood and engine cover never attached to body.. you get the idea.   so according to the instructions I should only be about 35 hrs away    I probably have the grill, just haven't found it. (But good to know, cause I may need it...)

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Wrenn, as this will be a build thread, I won't be of much use to you, because, well... just trust me on that.

I know a little about electrics, but just enough to make things smoke.

But I do know where your Hibachi grill is.

If, of all the parts and stuff piled up in the shed, that's the one thing you insist on finding right now, it will be at the bottom of the last pile you rummage through.

Always glad to help.

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i try not to rush into anything except for cars i dont need, women i dont need, investments i dont need, last few shots of Jack..,squirrels .410 works...tell ur neighbors ur shooting the rats

My first CMC was bought in 1993.  I think that I donated the Hibachi grill to a Carlisle raffle - Hopefully, someone actually did use it on their grill.

My second CMC was originally bought a few months before Wolfgang bought his and sat, like your Dad's, in a garage in southern New Hampshire, untouched for decades until I liberated it in the mid 2010s (the owner is now the City Manager for West Palm Beach).  All of the boxes were intact, complete with shredded newspaper and mouse droppings and since the original owner was an accountant I had VERY complete and confirmed lists of everything in each box.  

I built up the rolling pan and got the body mounted and then had a lot of family issues to contend with so I sold it to Alan Merklin.   He finished it and sold it to someone who might be on here, I don't remember who.

So there are a few "Barn Find" CMCs still kicking around either in progress or waiting, like mine, to be liberated and finished.

Good for you, Wrenn, for taking on the challenge, especially if you have smaller kids.  My kids were mid-teens when I started CMC #1 and I finally finished it when one was fresh out of college and the other was about half way through.  The "40 hours" to completion was probably closer to seven years by the time I was done and on the road.  Keep plugging!

Glad you're on the job, Wrenn. Doing a speedster build is baffling, frustrating and totally worth it when you're finished.

Let us know when you hit a rough spot. These guys helped me out tremendously during my build.

Ah an unmolested kit.  If the VINTAGE gauges - don't cut the holes as they are a larger size than most.  Sell them off with sending units and get the new 356 VDO replicas that SE Beck sells. 

Here's how my kit looked when it was delivered. Glue came on another truck.

So here's the donor...

On the tri5 body jig.

@Michael Pickett posted:

Here's how my kit looked when it was delivered. Glue came on another truck.

That's funny.

At least you are starting with a set of nice 5 bolt Fuchs wheels.

My donor was a 1969 VW sedan that was originally delivered to Cleveland, Ohio (high school graduation present, I bet) then went to Syracuse, NY (college, I guess) and then Cambridge, MA (Grad school then real job) all the same owner.  It then lived in and around Boston with three different owners until I bought it and by that time all four fenders were crinkled, the engine cover had a ding and it had been sitting for a while, but other than that it was OK for $275.  The pan was straight and that’s all that mattered.  The donor engine is now in a VW convertible cruising the “Lakes Region” of New Hampshire every summer and is still going strong.  

@WOLFGANG, those are 14" replica fuchs.. with empi 4-5 bolt adapter rings .  I sold them as I would be putting the proper 15" on. Coker tire has a 10 slot wheel with 4x130 bcd that I'm leaning toward, for now I have no wheels..  I may be doing the plywood disc thing for shop moving.

So I lost my phone this weekend and now don't have the photos of progress steps to this point..  Crap.

Most don't convert back to OEM VW 4x130.  There are a lot of aftermarket and OEM 914 wheels for the 4 bolt though.  You have to watch offset/width and tire size (especially if classic body with IRS rear - seems driver side is always closer to wheel opening interference.  I started with 4 bolt 5.5"x15 chrome Mangels, then 914 Pedrini, and now 914 Fuchs - the last two have minimal clearance w/185/65x15 tires.  I may go with CIP1's polished 5 bolt fake Fuchs with 5" offset with 5 bolt redrilled rotors/rear drums.

@WOLFGANG, No conversion required, the rear drums and front disc are standard VW 4 lug (x130) .  the PO used Empi bolt pattern adapters that are 1" thick aluminum rings to convert to 5 lug.  These would push track width out by 2 inches overall.  no way the rears would fit the classic fenders.  I would have to buy all new parts to convert to 5x130 or 5x205 to use any P wheels plus buying the wheels.   Current thought, just get 10slots with 4 bolt pattern or like you, find 914 2.0L Fuchs, can't really decide which I like better.

First goal, actually get the car working (with what I have) with minimal invested.  Then start the customize.  If someone had a set of VW wheels lying around to use as "rollers" that would be helpful with determining clearance for what tire I can use when I get the body bolted.

I should probably mount the fr & rr suspensions before worrying about wheels.  one step at a time.  ( also painting/reconditioning parts as I go. New bearings, grease, seals, etc. )