The world`s most accurate `58 Speedster replica? ---

speedstars · Post by **speedstars** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 8:41 am

---Unless you know different !!!

Hi, new to DDK, old to replicas. My names Michael Kempster, I should have signed up to this site years ago, as I`m a member of most of the other clubs/forums.

A bit about me and my cars. I built my L&B Speedster in 2000, to prove a point that you could build one for less than 12k, (as I was informed by one manufacturer). It actually cost me about 6.5k.

Since then I have built half a dozen Speedster replicas, from various manufacturers, for people, a 718 RSK Spyder, a GT40 plus several ordinary restorations. I also own a `63 1200 Beetle, and an `86 944.

Three years ago, I deceided to rebuild/refabricate my Speedster to what I really wanted, an accurate replica. To this end, my Speedster now has:
original steel 356 hood(bonnet),
original steel Speedster doors,
original steel engine lid,
repro steel bumpers, original 356 fuel tank, steering column, wheel, handbrake, etc
Dropped centre tunnel, rear seat area in steel as per original, luggage compartment all steel. Repro Autos Int. interior and top. Any part from Stoddard/NLA/E-bay I could make fit.

Your opinions/criticisms are really welcome as this will always be a work in progress. Got to make the Glaspar hardtop fit next.

Lots of info on my cars, and pics at www.speedstars.co.uk and even more pics on FB at www.facebook.com/michaelkempster356 (click on "see all photos", there are actualy hundreds there)!

Sorry this has been sooo long, but thanks for getting to the end. I never get bored talking Speedsters, so if you need any advice/ideas just e-mail me.

Some pics

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Mick Cliff · Post by **Mick Cliff** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 8:53 am

Nice.
That's probably got more original parts than a lot of 'original' cars

Lightweight_911 · Post by **Lightweight_911** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:34 am

One question immediately comes to mind ... why didn't you convert it to LHD ?

Nige · Post by **Nige** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:34 am

Hi Michael

Looks great, top work.

speedstars · Post by **speedstars** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 10:29 am

I didn`t convert it to LHD, because it`s used as much as I can, it used to be my every day car, and it makes it easier. Also, it makes it a bit more special, as they only made half a dozen or so RHD Speedsters.

cubist · Post by **cubist** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 10:57 am

Welcome! Very nice and well worth the steel 'upgrade' effort... just needs an age related plate

left4dead · Post by **left4dead** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 11:00 am

speedstars wrote:they only made half a dozen or so RHD Speedsters.

I didn't know that, I though they were all LHD

Lightweight_911 · Post by **Lightweight_911** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 11:36 am

According to Mike Smith's figures there were 54 RHD Speesters made.

Philip Taysom owned one some years ago ...

left4dead · Post by **left4dead** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 11:40 am

Lightweight_911 wrote: Philip Taysom owned one some years ago ...

Philip's owned everything at some point or another - usually multiples of

Hi Philip

speedstars · Post by **speedstars** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 12:03 pm

I`ve never heard of a definitive number of RHD Speedsters, but most references, say there were only a handful, mostly going to South Africa. Interesting to find out.
It now has a personalised plate. NHZI 356. Made me laugh, and it was cheap.

roy mawbey · Post by **roy mawbey** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 12:42 pm

Even Darth looked a little confused! The UK did only have a a handful of RHD speedsters delivered through AFN. The others went to other RHD countries.

I can usually tell the difference from a short distance, you have produced a nice looking car, what about the engine? is that VW?

The passenger grab handle, look out for an original and tidy the corner trim. The rear inspection cover a 356 one might fit there?

The hardest thing to replicate are the wings with the rolled edges, then many would be really confused.

Well done, I bet you love driving it.

Roy

964RS · Post by **964RS** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 1:10 pm

Looks great. I'm no expert on originality of these things but as a rep I'd certainly be happy with it in my garage!

Very

speedstars · Post by **speedstars** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 2:08 pm

Hi Roy,

it`s running a 1641cc Beetle lump with twin Webers. I`ve concentrated on accurate looks as opposed to originality underneath, it`s still a Beetle chassis at the end of the day.

I`ve never looked at the grab handle, I bought it off an old boy, NOS and he said it was for his original Speedster. He also had a windscreen frame as well, but not with him, and I lost his card. Now I`m kicking myself.
The corner piece is tricky, because I had to weld so much metal on that door, just to fit it. It was rotten. I`ll atach a pic. Hence it`s over twice as thick as it should be.

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It now has a rear inspection cover, made from half an old vintage motorcycle helmet. It had to be custom made, because the rear seat area is about 3 " too high. This is so I didn`t have to take out the 4" box section across the rear, and hence lose strength. This would be about the only thing I would change. That a dropping the floor pans. Not a lot of gap between the steering wheel and my knees. I`m about he only one who can drive it, then again I did build it for me.
I can`t be too critical though, all this was built from reference pictures, I had no dimensions. Every original part, had to be bought, then the car had to be modified to fit the part. ie carpets, hood, doors etc.

The rocker panel have been ground flat, and I`ve taken the returns off from under the wings. This stops the dead give away.

As for driving, it`s pure fun, especially in the snow. Drop the rear tyre pressures, and it`s brilliant.

roy mawbey · Post by **roy mawbey** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 5:33 pm

I have a second closer look at the grap handle and some on other speedsters. I reckon now the old boy was right it does look okay. To me it seemed a bit large but the others seem that way too. The "A" ones are different.

What a lot of work on the doors! They look good now on the car.

Well done again,

Roy

speedstars · Post by **speedstars** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 5:43 pm

Thanks Roy,

the doors were a major challenge, but I thought I can`t make them any worse. Any restoration shop would have scrapped them. I actually made too good a job on the panel beating, as the filler is so thin in places it`s starting to crack. I`ve had to re-inforce the back with fibreglass. I don`t mind though, adds to its character. It needs a bit of abuse and weathering.

Michael