Uh oh, my car may be for sale

@Stan Galat posted:

Don’t overthink it. You give every appearance of being a vibrant man. I wish everybody would stop looking at these things as piles of money sitting in the garage. None of us should have gotten into the game looking for a ROA. Besides, unless you’re experiencing a hardship I don’t know about, I’d ask you what could you possibly do with the money that would equal what you already have?

I’m pretty sure the executor of my will can handle liquidating my assets.

It ain't the money, Stan.  Sometimes I just feel like moving on to something else, but I'm not sure what that 'else' would be.

Anyway, there won't be any snap decision here.  And I do appreciate the thoughts.

@Teammccalla posted:

I don’t know you, except through our interactions here, but…

From seeing your enthusiasm, and attention to detail on your custom project, I think it would be a huge loss for you to give up your hobby. Unless you realllllly need the money, don’t sell. Selling would leave a hole in your life — to not to have it to think about and toy with. Even if you use it only rarely, it’s a part of you now.

Thanks. I'm kind of embarrassed to say that the money doesn't make any difference. It's not that we've got more than enough money stashed in the banana stand (oblique Arrested Development joke), but we have enough to finish our time here comfortably. I wouldn't sell the car if I could foresee Marianne getting more comfortable in it as time goes on.

I'm a wizard at the "buy high, sell low" investment style, but learned to just put our IRA bucks into moderately aggressive, broadly diverse mutual funds and to leave them there. I've got financial spreadsheets that model our budgets, tax load, income, vacations, and capital spends until our projected expiration dates (85 for me and 95 for my bride).

Although we'll start dipping into the principle in a few years, we should skid out of this mortal coil with cash for unplanned events and a bunch of equity in the house to share with our family.

I love the car more than anything else I've ever done, but I love my soulmate of 54 years even more. I can't be happy if riding in our car makes her so worried. We went everywhere in the car when we finished it. Then, there were a few roads with too many blind curves and a few bad drivers, that were excluded from our itinerary. Last fall our bi-monthly breakfast rides up Haleakala were deemed too uncomfortable because of the roads and drivers. We're down to short jaunts north to the grocery or coastal cruises down to visit our good friend Jeff Bezos at La Perouse (as Foghorn Leghorn liked to say "That's a joke, son").

I nearly bought the farm 15 months ago with a case of diabetic ketoacidosis and have had lasting limitations on my breathing. Essential tremors limit my fine motor control and make working on the car frustrating at times. Marianne has become very protective of me and while I still go out cruising and to car events alone, she worries about me. Not totally rationally, of course, but she feels what she feels.

Just hold on to it? Eh, it would be a waste of garage space AND my granddaughter would eventually decide that I'm saving it for her. It's not a great car for a sixteen year old. Even I would be worried.

The car is running perfectly and there's nothing I need to do to get it ready to sell. I don't want to sell it, I don't need to, but I can't see that keeping it can be easily resolved with the other issues. I have never had nor wanted a garage queen.

So, there it is. Not something to be solved, but something to be celebrated for having had it as part of my life!

I really appreciate the concern and advice. Youse are a good bunch of guys.

@YogiMac posted:

The a/c installation is great. Who did the installation, and do you have engine pics w/ a/c please?

Thanks, I did the installation. Here's a link to the section in my build thread https://www.speedsterowners.co...2#590725800967819512

I finally ended up using a Gilmore mount and modifying it to fit. I also added a second evaporator behind the passenger headlight.

You know, Mike, you really don't have to justify your life decisions to the "youse guys", knuckleheads all. The time to hang it all up will come to each and every one us.  Eventually.  That said, I think I'd never relinquish the possibility of rowing up (and down) your favorite mountain/volcano or even the Road to Hana, which I understand was repaved a few years back so as to make it a tolerable drive.  I did that jaunt in a rental out and back once -- trip of a lifetime.  I'm betting you know it well. Again, as Stan is so fond of saying: you gotta do you.

@Michael Pickett posted:

I think the odds are better that my Fuchs were just regular 911 Fuchs rather than the rare 914-6 variety.

Given that they’re 15”, yeah.  912, 914-6, and 912E wheels were 14 x 5.5.  They’ve always looked funky to me as the spokes almost sit outside the rim. Also, between the spokes at the hub is more of a rounded radius than the 15”-ers.

Good luck, whatever you do. I’m pretty much in the same place. Pretty sure I’m going to sell my Spyder when I get it back together.

I am saddened by this news from Mike.

I do understand that life and our bodies move on from when they were more capable.

But at the same time, I have ZERO intent to sell mine. It is pretty much perfect(except the gearing and slight oil leaking which I'm working on).

I'll be 60 in June, going on 18.

There is a good friend of mine who is getting older too and will probably sell his Spyder this year.

The only thing I have to say is this SUCKS!

Thanks to everyone for feedback on the correct price range for the speedster. I've set it at $44,500 to reflect the cost of shipping should someone want it shipped. I'm approaching this with the same enthusiasm that Ed had with the sale of his Spyder.

Share the link with folks who might be looking for a well sorted Speedster.

https://www.speedsterowners.co...dster-replica-44-500

If you throw in a house on Maui I could consider it…….  😉

That looks like a VERY fair price, Mike.

Yeah that's cheap even in January.

You missed the "1" in front of the first "4", Mike.

A bit low in my opinion as well.

Good luck! a gorgeous and well appointed Speedie!

Definitely low IMHO, but I understand the need for shipping will affect what you can get.  Best of luck with the sale and don't even THINK about leaving this forum.

For the record, I liked Mike's ad for his car.

Although I REALLY don't like it one little bit. But I feel it's important to support him.

Perfectly said.  I agree completely.  

Mike, I just saw this post this morning. Wow ! I kinda understand after meeting with you last year. You had recovered pretty well as we enjoyed a cold one. But only you know how it is, and I respect your decision. I hope your speedster finds a good home whereever it lands. You have built a wonderful car. I remember following your build and what you had to start with. You have come along way my friend. You are a very talented guy and I hope you find a new way to showcase that talent. I have enjoyed your posts and your knowledge. Though some of your knowledge is far over my head, remember I'm a simple meat cutter. Maybe it's time to pick up that guitar again and write a few songs for the Grandkids. You might even get a gig at the Brewery. No matter what, I'll see you again in April for a chat and a cold one. It's my turn this year.

Aloha, Dave

Well I guess you could take a trip to the island, buy it and drive it around the whole island for a month then ship it home Now that might be a plan, but only if I was a member of the lower 48.

Mike - how is it titled?  I think it was a pan-based IM, so it has a VW VIN, right?

I’d love to find someone local to me buy it, for selfish reasons.  Knowing if it would be ~easy to register in California would be a helpful addition to my sales pitch.

Our little group ran into a gentleman who just shelled out 40 large for a CMC that has lots of issues.  Your car is a bargain.  

Didn’t you hear the price went up by $10K last night.

@Jon T posted:

Mike - how is it titled?  I think it was a pan-based IM, so it has a VW VIN, right?

I’d love to find someone local to me buy it, for selfish reasons.  Knowing if it would be ~easy to register in California would be a helpful addition to my sales pitch.

Our little group ran into a gentleman who just shelled out 40 large for a CMC that has lots of issues.  Your car is a bargain.  

Hi Jon, just sent you a PM with a pic of the VIN issued in CA when it was manufactured (same as the 1969 VW chassis VIN).

@Michael Pickett posted:

Hi Jon, just sent you a PM with a pic of the VIN issued in CA when it was manufactured (same as the 1969 VW chassis VIN).

@IaM-Ray posted:

Didn’t you hear the price went up by $10K last night.

Sounds like we've moved into "Fans Only" territory here...

KILLER car for a fantastic price; everything in it is prime.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/cl...etail.php?id=2662713

Ok, boys and girls, a very nice couple who are moving to Oahu have put a deposit on our speedster. It looks like they appreciate most of the things I did, but will bring it back to a normal speedster look rather than the mild outlaw look I like.

I've advised them to join this board and hope you'll give them the same loving care that you give to all of us newbies. Things should settle out this week, but I don't plan to abandon such a remarkably skewed group of imaginary friends - "I'll be Bach."

I can't "like" this, Mike -- but I'm glad you're getting what you want... even if it is the wrong thing.

I'm glad to hear that you don't plan to leave us, we all need you. You are the undisputed SOC EFI guru, and your pity humor and wise observations are something that has become part of my day-to-day.

@Michael Pickett posted:

Ok, boys and girls, a very nice couple who are moving to Oahu have put a deposit on our speedster. It looks like they appreciate most of the things I did, but will bring it back to a normal speedster look rather than the mild outlaw look I like.

I've advised them to join this board and hope you'll give them the same loving care that you give to all of us newbies. Things should settle out this week, but I don't plan to abandon such a remarkably skewed group of imaginary friends - "I'll be Bach."

LOve it Michael Piquette !!!

Although I'm saddened that you sold it (you really did build a great Speedster!), that's all I'm going to say, as you've gotta do what's right for you and any more is really not my business.  I hope you do stick around here and if you ever come through Vancouver, let me know.

@ALB posted:

Although I'm saddened that you sold it (you really did build a great Speedster!), that's all I'm going to say, as you've gotta do what's right for you and any more is really not my business.  I hope you do stick around here and if you ever come through Vancouver, let me know.

The next build will be even better… right Michael

@Michael Pickett

You better hang around!

I need an outlet for my collection of Rho-Dylan Don Bousquet cartoons:

And I WAS there, too!

@Gordon Nichols posted:

@Michael Pickett

You better hang around!

I need an outlet for my collection of Rho-Dylan Don Bousquet cartoons:

Yep. And don't forget the special technique for RI stop signs called the Rhode Island roll!

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@Michael Pickett , please hang around.

In time, we might discover other guidance for fuel injecting a T1 or fabricating a garage from blue plastic tarp and palm fronds.

But it's unlikely any other expert source exists for how to drive a Speedy to the top of a volcano.

You have gone from sea level to 10,000 feet in your homegrown hotrod faster than most Cessna pilots ever will — and without supplemental oxygen.

You are an invaluable resource.

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@Sacto Mitch posted:

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@Michael Pickett , please hang around.

In time, we might discover other guidance for fuel injecting a T1 or fabricating a garage from blue plastic tarp and palm fronds.

But it's unlikely any other expert source exists for how to drive a Speedy to the top of a volcano.

You have gone from sea level to 10,000 feet in your homegrown hotrod faster than most Cessna pilots ever will — and without supplemental oxygen.

You are an invaluable resource.

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Thanks Mitch, but you've forgotten my important solutions to the problem of paucity of storage space for condiments. In my mind, that eclipses the modest paths I've blazed in the area of volcanic transit.

@Michael Pickett posted:

Thanks Mitch, but you've forgotten my important solutions to the problem of paucity of storage space for condiments. In my mind, that eclipses the modest paths I've blazed in the area of volcanic transit.

Did I miss the condiment-storage solution, or merely forget?

It is possible that I've blocked the memory of it...

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Now Stan, there's that big tent thing, again.

Some of us obsess over the little things — more power, better handling, more power,  better brakes, more power, and better cooling for examples — while the rest focus on what most agree is the Speedster's principal shortcoming — lack of good condiment storage at on-the-road mealtime.

Michael recognized instantly the potential of those hollow recesses in our doors and came up with a brilliant solution. I would expect nothing less from someone who's found himself hungry, halfway up a volcano, no 7-elevens in sight, and wondering if there just might not be a better way.

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@Sacto Mitch posted:

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Now Stan, there's that big tent thing, again.

Some of us obsess over the little things — more power, better handling, more power,  better brakes, more power, and better cooling for examples — while the rest focus on what most agree is the Speedster's principal shortcoming — lack of good condiment storage at on-the-road mealtime.

Michael recognized instantly the potential of those hollow recesses in our doors and came up with a brilliant solution. I would expect nothing less from someone who's found himself hungry, halfway up a volcano, no 7-elevens in sight, and wondering if there just might not be a better way.

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Mitch, this might have been interesting if you'd just admit you spelled "condom" wrong. Or maybe the storage is for the little blue pill? Never know when she might want to LOL!

@DannyP posted:

Mitch, this might have been interesting if you'd just admit you spelled "condom" wrong. Or maybe the storage is for the little blue pill? Never know when she might want to LOL!

And now you know why I have to sell the car. No back seat.

@Michael Pickett posted:

And now you know why I have to sell the car. No back seat.

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@Michael Pickett posted:

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And now you know why I have to sell the car. No back seat.

What happens on Maui stays on Maui.

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And off it goes via boat to Oahu. Marianne cried. My allergies acted up.

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Sad, a perfectly altitude-compensated fuel system off to someplace where it will never see 4000 feet.

Not a dry eye in the house, Mike.

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