Is this a speedster real?

[rob911]

Just happened across VW meet at supermarket while holidaying in south of France (Cap d'Agde). Loved most things there but these two stood out.
Is the speedster a genuine 356 model?
Which variant is the gorgeous coupe?
Speedster








Coupe







edit: add picture link

[callard]

Nope on the speedster; possibly yes on the coupe.

[rob911]

Thanks callard.
Gues the coupe is 356 B or C ? Done a little googling and seems pre-A and some A are different shape. It was stunning in the sunshine. Appeared to have period radio, seats had clip on headrests, all appeared patinated so thought this one might have been genuine.

What gives away the "speedster"?

[R K T]

What gives away the "speedster"?[/QUOTE]

4 lug bolt wheels for starters.

[rob911]

Originally Posted by R K T

What gives away the "speedster"?

4 lug bolt wheels for starters.[/QUOTE]

Of course - the vee-dub connection. I did notice that, but convinced myself that early 356 must have used 4 nuts. Nice toy anyway, not sure about badging it as "real". Here in uk godd kit company makes the "Chesil Speedster", which is nice. Seen them both with and without 356 badging. Prefer the honest ones.

The coups still intrigues me. Got it as background on my phone.

[onboost]

Originally Posted by rob911

Thanks callard.

What gives away the "speedster"?

Gauges, steering wheel, headrests on seats, tail light bosses & push button to open engine lid on body, the 4 lug wheels as mentioned, and the ride height!

[Groovie Ghoulie]

Speedster? No, not even close. anyone with any sense would never do that to a real speedster since they are in the 150,000 plus range, even for a resto.

The coupe appears to be an early B model, before they introduced the T6 body style like mine, I believe the T6 has a more "flat" hood shape where it drops to the latch area. (see my pics)

[Joe Bob]

Orange one has four lug wheels....VW

[rob911]

Thanks dude. Interested to hear any more comments. Have always "quite liked" the 356. Seeing one close up in the sunshine, I loved it!

Speedster? No, not even close. anyone with any sense would never do that to a real speedster since they are in the 150,000 plus range, even for a resto.



The coupe appears to be an early B model, before they introduced the T6 body style like mine, I believe the T6 has a more "flat" hood shape where it drops to the latch area. (see my pics)

[Groovie Ghoulie]

lol, sorry my pic links were busted. i fixed em

I am by now means a 356 expert, but I have just started my resto. What are you interested in? are you looking to get a 356? Here are a few tips:

1. pre-A cars and C cars are arguable the most desirable, followed by the A cars.
2. REAL speedsters can be EASILY in the 6 figure mark, most good examples are 150,000-250,000
3. Cabriolets and Roadsters, or convertible D cars (anything open topped) are also candidates to be about double the cost of a coupe. sometimes in the 6 figures for a clean original.
4. The B model cars are still reasonable (especially coupes), and the T6 is more reasonable than the early T5 body.
5. The T6 has a few differences (twin rear grills vents, bigger rear window, different hood shape etc). My car is one of the first T6's, a mid year 1962, when they switched. I found it rotting in a barn and bought it from the guy who thought it was an old VW for about 2 grand.

6. the engines came in three main flavors Normal -60HP, Super or "S" like mine -75HP, Super 90- 90HP. One of the premier 356 authorities, Zim from Zims autotechnik in dallas texas agrees. the 60HP motor had no guts, but was dead reliable, and the S90 was way too high strung, always needing maintenance, more of a race motor. the Super was dead reliable, and gave good power. his favorite motor. if you want 90HP you can drop in an early 912 motor, you get all the benefits of reliability, and you get 90HP. and it bolts right in, easy as pie.




Also, some jackass painted it green. I am going back to the original "Slate grey"

[gelan]

Here in uk godd kit company makes the "Chesil Speedster", which is nice. Seen them both with and without 356 badging. Prefer the honest ones.

[356eric]

This is what a real one looks like,my best purchase apart from my 2.8 RSR

[912UK]

First thing I looked at was the head lights.. then I knew it was not real

Reason orginal cars headlights are slightly lower on the curve of the wing and the kit ones are higher.. reason ? but in the UK certainly they have to be higher other wise they will not get registered with Vosa currently a big thing in the UK at the mo over shortening the chassis of VW into speedster kits I know as It's some I know that works for the DVLA as an inspector and was very much involved init.. my understanding is that the owner of what is Cheisel or what ever they are called now got sh**y with my friend when he turned up to inspect a car and was more than rude almost offensive so he though the book at him.. DVLA won . My friend really DOES know his car esp VW the boss of the chisel place thought he didn't he picked on the wrong guy..

also the B has been made to try and look abit US style and poss abit A looking as it was early cars that mainly had white walls..nice though.

Why so I know all this I have a Pre A and I had an Apal kit once