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With my Beetle truck conversion at the painters, Speedster Project # 50 is underway, we're lifting the as new body off a pre shortened rolling chassis tomorrow with neighbors. I'll confirm the all new suspension and brakes condition that came on it  With the body up on 36" tall saw horses I'll do what I can get done prior to paint.  Classic or Outlaw style( may consider doing a Emory clone ) ...I'm not sure just yet.  Color....I don't know.  Interior...unsure. Engine:  Type 1  "small block" balanced 1679cc w/ Hoover some bits being done and a few other goodies to allow for high rpms, should be interesting.  Being number # 50 maybe I'll sign the gas tank and hopefully I'll roll into Carlisle with it done.

Last edited by Alan Merklin
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Speedster # 50: I did one person interested in me building it to their specs,  he bounced around thoughts & figures for three weeks, another person is in the UK now working on MOT requirements so that scenario will get too involved so with that in mind I decided to build it,  my way yet to be decided ... for Carlisle in May. Rolled the speedster into the garage Friday , with the help of a couple of neighbors, friends and my step son David Saturday AM, we lifted the FG body onto a pair of saw horses I had made and as per past speedster gatherings ( our Pennsylvania Pumpkin Runs) Connie made a great French Toast breakfast for everyone. I've cleaned the shortened chassis that has new floors, suspension and brakes in place, painted it "Henry Ford" black today. Tomorrow,  I'll replace shift rod bushing, check and repack the wheel bearings, hook up the E' brake cables and run a steel fuel line.

Last edited by Alan Merklin
Alan Merklin posted:

While there is no replacement for displacement, one can massage quite a bit of scoot out of a smaller cc engine  " In goes the good air, out goes the bad " 

Yes, it's amazing, with a little bit of hotrodding (cam, carbs, exhaust, a little more compression), how much fun even a 1600, 1641 or 1688 cc engine can be. But everything that small engine does, a bigger engine does just that much better...

Speedster build update: Decided to build an Outlaw version idea that have been in my head for some time and additionally a combination of two Emory builds.  Picked up the freshly rebuilt & balanced 1641cc today .  Tomorrow morning the local crew stops by to set the body from the saw horses back onto the completed chassis then we'll  feed them Connie's famous Breakfast French Toast Casserole and Quiche' 

Last edited by Alan Merklin

Speedster project # 50 update: Body is bolted on the chassis, caulked and sealed, column installed and windshield was dry fitted leaving the bottom aluminum cowl strip in place . OK  I have changed my mind from the Outlaw build. …. to better appeal to a larger market it will be a classic Speedster in Porsche Seal Grey, black carpet and a nice shade of red seats and door panels.   I still use my painter Tom in PA because he is crazy reasonable and does a two week turn around.  Snow forecast here is for 5" - 8" so to get there and back before the snow ..I was up at 4AM and on the road by 5AM dragging the Speedster with a VW tow bar for the first two hours in thick fog on a single lane mountainous road then a constant 75 mph on the interstate to PA. a minor 9 hour - 420 mile round trip saved me over half the other painters quoted me here. While the car is at paint I'll do final assembly on the fresh engine and a lot of misc. prepping Then I get to do another long day to go get it with a trailer.

Last edited by Alan Merklin

How is it possible to loose a type 1 oil cooler in a 2.5 car garage? I've looked in, on below, above in between and behind everything.....it's officially declared as MIA . I 've come to the conclusion the trash men took it for a one way ride. I've gathered some funds A-gain...and as a last ditch effort I've called in the Brain Trust.  money in handsBrain Trust

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Last edited by Alan Merklin

Speedster Project 50. I heard from my paint guy Tommy this afternoon " It's Done "   I leave at 5:00 AM for the 4 hour drive into PA tomorrow, load and 4 - 1/2 hours back home . Tools, snacks, beverages, TP and extra 10 gallons of gas just in case the Governor aka Wizard of PA, decides to suddenly limit access to Petro. This gives me only weeks to complete this build for the Carlisle week.  I'll post better photos on Monday ~

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Last edited by Alan Merklin

.Just spend a miserable 5 -1/5 hours getting two doors to align correctly on Speedster #50.  this venture almost fell into the classification of Don't Ask Don't Tell... but then I remembered I had one Intermeccanica  door hinge shim left over from Jake's IM resto project so that was the template to made a few in different thickness those did the trick and finally came out right.   

 
 
Last edited by Alan Merklin

Glad that's behind you Alan---that's hanging in there until an issue is solved.  We all want the quick fix" to avoid what you just went through with those doors---I'm guilty of that myself.  You are an inspiration---I know you get immense pleasure when you solve a challenging problem.  I hope some of our viral researchers possess your kind of determination. 

Jack Crosby posted:

Glad that's behind you Alan---that's hanging in there until an issue is solved.  We all want the quick fix" to avoid what you just went through with those doors---I'm guilty of that myself.  You are an inspiration---I know you get immense pleasure when you solve a challenging problem.  I hope some of our viral researchers possess your kind of determination. 

Jack... I too want the quick fix when possible but sometimes it's better to disassemble and reinstall discovering what someone else considered correct . My determination today was not to have the neighbors hear me muttering every four letter word known to man. This is all starting to get old as I am too ~

Jack Crosby posted:

Glad that's behind you Alan---that'shanging in there until an issue is solved.  We all want the quick fix" to avoid what you just went through with those doors---I'm guilty of that myself.  You are an inspiration---I know you get immense pleasure when you solve a challenging problem.  I hope some of our viral researchers possess your kind of determination. 

Subtle, but I like what you did there, Jack.

Go Alan!!!

Speedster project #50 soon will reside in Virginia !  I still some of the wiring to do, gauges and switches too. The engine needs to go back in after I change the J' tubes over the heater boxes and put on new set of dual 34 carbs with chokes,  also install the windshield, column, seats, door panels, carpet, top , full tonneau,  mirrors and make custom Lexan full view side curtains.   " Marshall " the new owner  came out today to see the progress on the build...I'll be delivering it to his home in VA on or about June 6th.  ...........Where has the years gone,  50 Speedsters to date.

Speedster project #50 soon will reside in Virginia !  I still some of the wiring to do, gauges and switches too. The engine needs to go back in after I change the J' tubes over the heater boxes and put on new set of dual 34 carbs with chokes,  also install the windshield, column, seats, door panels, carpet, top , full tonneau,  mirrors and make custom Lexan full view side curtains.   " Marshall " the new owner  came out today to see the progress on the build...I'll be delivering it to his home in VA on or about June 6th.  ...........Where has the years gone,  50 Speedsters to date.

Congrats Alan and Marshall!

Speedster Project 50 update.   It's been a month since I last posted, I finished the interior, wiring, top and full tonneau cover. Added, fuel pump switch,  ignition cut off switch and 4 ways.  Changed the fan shroud added heater boxes and had to fabricate heat cable tubes that were MIA from the tunnel. Yesterday AM it came off the jack stands, switched the fuel pump on and it fired right off fine tuning the timing and mixture. My neighbor a town cop (a good guy) he was home so to not create a raised eyebrow, it was just a short few trips up and down my driveway. I have some odds and ends to do including heater box hoses that won't get here until Wednesday. Need to set 1/8" toe in and adjust the brakes & steering stops. I'm also doing a custom set of  Lexan side curtains that will take some time to do. Lastly a full detail. Photos Wednesday or Thursday ~

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@Jimmy V. posted:

I love how the IM Speedsters side windows roll up into a tight fit. I Kit to convert our Speedsters to that would sell .

I think it could be done on your car Jimmy but it would be a one off.  Someone with skill could have to do it as you need to cut the top of the door and fiberglass a lip on both sides to hold a squeegee which is screwed in with SS screws on both sides then of course is the window custom cut to your top slope and some form of meeting place at the windshield.  I believe IM moves the windshield a bit closer to the driver then glues a rubber along the windscreen edge and the cut glass is shaped to go up and merge into the front window. 

Lots of neet engineering was done to do that on the roadster the edge is straighter. 

As my real estate agent used to say, Ray, you can buy that  

 

Getting back to the subject, Alan, absolutely stunning. 

 @Jimmy V.   look below ... not sure if window moves straight up or if it somewhat rolls up and into the windscreen edge... some cars do that, but having them ready at one button push is pretty handy as sometimes it rains and you only need to put up the side windows and not the top for light rain. 

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Last edited by IaM-Ray

Thanks guys much appreciated from the SOC Gallery. Finishing the car this past week I looked at three other possible projects, slept on each one and backed away, full builds are just too much work and finally, out of the picture.... if I came across a light speedster or dune buggy project that might be ok. 

Troy , yes engine compartment has a key lock, some of the FF bodies did not come with the deck lid brackets fiber glassed in so I have done this simple fix a few times.

Side curtains ...Troy is 100% correct there is no way for Troy to be able to make generic side curtains to fit every speedster, there are just too many variables. 

Last edited by Alan Merklin

Congrats Alan - great looking build! You sound a little burned out- enjoy your time off. When you get the itch ...

consider this  - I have gotten back into motorcycles after 35 plus years and having a blast. Did a vintage restore on a 75 Honda 500 Twin for my first bike and it takes up so much less room then cars in your garage. The vintage bike market is going crazy right now with vintage Hondas and others from the 60's and 70's. West VA has a bunch of them in garages all over. Easy to work on and if original paint can turn a profit quick and very low initial investment and less time consuming to fix up. Check out your local CL and FB MP and people from church etc. Give me a call if you want to talk.

 

 @ SHU  There is a low mile ( 6k) Honda 450 sitting here in Elkins, WV for many years, w/ title . ...The motor turns . My friend John passed last year and it sits in the home shop, his wife wants me to sell it for her.  This is the "bike in the garage story you always hear of but alwaysa day late .

 

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Last edited by Alan Merklin

I bought a brand new shiny Honda CB450 in 1973 and drove the crap out of it for 6 years. I sold it in 1979 and haven't had a motorized 2-wheeler since then. I recalled the old (and so very true) adage: "There are only TWO types of motorcycle owners: Those who haven't gone down and those who will go down." I decided to be in the first group! 

@schu posted:

It's a blast - 45-60 MPH on winding back country roads in Virginia. Nothing scary - just relaxing like in my TD or hopefully my Speedster one of these days. You only get old when you start acting like an old man.

On the contrary, you know you're old when you start acting like a young man...and it hurts! That's usually at about 70. I can personally vouch for that inasmuch as my 76th is in 24 days. While I can still put my speedy through its paces on every back road twisty in northern CA, anything over 200 miles a day is called "elder abuse!" 

P.S.: For what it's worth...I made my last military static-line parachute jump 10 years ago this July 4th (3 days from now) and I "gawrantee" it will have been my "last" jump. Not so much because I've gotten old, but I figure I've "Been There and Done That" enough times that I've earned the right to look for softer landings in life. 

Paul,

That statement was not about you - I really was making that statement reflecting my stage in my life when I realize I am letting myself get old and have to kick myself into doing more youthful things I always used to enjoy. That helps me keep young. It's my injuries and other health issues that seem to slow me down the most.   

@schu posted:

Paul,

That statement was not about you - I really was making that statement reflecting my stage in my life when I realize I am letting myself get old and have to kick myself into doing more youthful things I always used to enjoy. That helps me keep young. It's my injuries and other health issues that seem to slow me down the most.   

Paul has 20 years on me, but my abuse of my body has been well documented. I'm just now starting to avoid fun things because of how it will make me feel for a week or so.

This is not healthy. I can sleep when I die. We only ride this rock once - I'm not inclined to spend 1/4 of the time worrying about being comfortable.

Shu     Variety (and thread drifts) is the spice of life.    

  I too have done things that keeps my inner youth aka mental health in check . Drove a NASCAR at Pocono, 7.228 @ 188 mph in a B' Econo dragster. Two trips on the Olympic Bob Sled Run in Austria. ( beer was involved)  Skied from the summit of Stubai Glacier in Tyrol, Austria asking for God's divine guidance for 2/3's of the Black Diamond Trail for the stupidly insane, that was the last time I skied.

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