Spyder 550 and Speedster kits?

[mudfish]

Wandered over from the other forum, but thought I should ask the guys in the know.

I have always fancied a Spyder or Speedster project, but was never inspired by the examples I've seen.

Can anyone point me in the direction of reputable UK companies that could get me started on a meaty project (by meaty I'm looking to put a REAL engine in it) probably 3 ltre, non VW beetle donor engine if poss. I found a US company garping on about a Subaru engine, don't think its the flat four boxer though.

Any info very greatly appreciated.

[jgmadkit]

Chesil would be the obvious one for the Speedster

www.chesil.co.uk/

John

Madabout

[KITT]

Agree on the Chesil. Probably one of the best Speedster replicas out there. I believe there is one with a Scooby engine in it which must go like stink

[anonymous-user]

Rich Olaf fitted a Scooby engine to a Speedster.

www.ricola.co.uk/

[richolaf]

That would be me


and yes, it went like shit off a shovel!
Brief spec:
944 brakes front and rear
911SC (915) 5 speed transmission
fully adjustable coil-over suspension
1998 Impreza turbo engine with chargecooler

Rich

>> Edited by richolaf on Tuesday 20th April 15:12

[meeja]

Chesil wins my vote, and as I am picking up my donor car tomorrow, they will more than likely be winning my cash (or cheque at least) at Stoneleigh.....

[mudfish]

richolaf - That is some hobby you have. Just spent the best part over an hour and half looking at your various build diaries!

I'm impressed.

[meeja]

mudfish said:

richolaf - That is some hobby you have. Just spent the best part over an hour and half looking at your various build diaries! I'm impressed.

You get the idea.....

[cinqster]

mudfish said:

I have always fancied a Spyder or Speedster project, but was never inspired by the examples I've seen. .

Try these pics then:

www.pbase.com/cinqster/gp_spyder

[Funderbunk]

Somewhere I've got bookmarked a page of a fellow in the UK who swapped out the VW powerplant for an Alfa unit, from a 33 if I recall...

...ah yes, checking the bookmarks I see it is the previously-mentioned Ricola Racing.

[richolaf]

Cheers guys
Just finishing off the Libra as a long term daily driver. I'm going to try really hard to leave it alone and then do something else!

Rich

[craigw]

richolaf, I'm looking at buying a replica rsk spyder, built fairly recently with 50 miles on the clock, has a 1640 twin carb engine, any idea what the performance might be ?

[richolaf]

Should be fairly nippy but it all depends on what you are used to!
Speedsters/Spyders can be made to handle surprisingly well given their underpinnings.
Given a choice, I wouldn't have a 1641 engine though. They have thinner cylinder walls which aren't as sturdy leading to problems. Although in a Spyder it won't be stressed with too much weight so would probably never be an issue.
Rich

[craigw]

are there any good websites I could look at ?

Also, I once saw a 550 speedster vreplica with fuch alloys, looked very low & mean, any idea what it might have been ? Thanks for your help.

[richolaf]

If you want to stick with the VW engine, have a look on the forum at www.volkszone.co.uk particularly the mechanical tech section, a search should bring up what you want..

You probably saw a Martin & Walker 550 replica www.904gts.com there are a few very nice ones around...