Rusty Tub 2 1958 Speedster Project

[John Pierce]

It looks like you've really thought this out! Those reproduction parts look really nice, especially as they are rust free. I am looking forward to your build.

[JTR70]

That is a really great start Drew!
That's where I saw the reproduction brass windshield frame. Looks good, What did this complete unit cost you?
The top frame looks real nice too. I've heard it said that Brocker won't sell a top frame unless you provide him with a chassis # and proof of ownership. Maybe that was for the low bow frame.

Smart move buying that pair of doors. As speedster doors go, low striker T2 versions are the rarest and most difficult to come by as they were only in production for about 18 months or so. (mid-1957 to 195 High strikers on the other hand were built for a few years longer(1954-early 1957)making them a bit more common. Really nice stuff Drew, this is going to be fun to watch! Justin

[roy mawbey]

Drew,

After looking at those extra photo's I do really think you have spent your money wisely. The front door hinges photo shows the drip tray at the botom with the one hole for the rain without rust damage. The headlight bucket and surrounding metal in one piece as is the front floor section. Of course, as Jusin, Tom. Phil, Gordon Bruce et all, know the rust gets everywhere and some metal although not perforated still needs replacing. But.. when I did mine when the car was about 15 years old I did have to replace metal after scraping off all the original factory underseal but possibly like yours I never had any extensive rust to deal with. I can see your bottom rocker panels have gone and its probably for certain the longitudinals and jacking points have as well. Look at the front diagonal when the car arrives and as I said before the battery box. I reckon they still might be okay like mine still are.

I would like to know the cars history, I presume it came from CA or somwewhere sunny. In the 60's over here many cars were far more rusty than yours then! Really like the parts you bought, will you be getting the rear body work speedster panels from the same place as Justin mentioned?

Really waiting to here how you find it when its in your garage!!

Roy

[DG58INNM]

Drew,
At quick glance, those look like T6 doors from the inside?
DG

[Drew.s]

Hi Guys

DG: I'm 99.9% sure that these are T2 speedster doors (unless I'm missing something) and as Justin says quite rare.

Justin: I had no problem with Robert re proof of ownership maybe a lowbow thing.
The brass windscreen set is on my 'to get' list so not sure of the final price but they are not going to be cheap.

Roy: I have no previous history of the car but from the overall condition I think it has spent some time in a dry State.

Your qustion re replacement speedster panels is a big one I am going to follow Justins build very closely and see how his panels work out (I seem to recall that he was going with Steve's panels) there are a couple of very talented guys here in the UK and in Europe so I'm going to take my time and get the very best I can.

Here are a few more shots of the car at Ric's...







More updates soon.
Regards
Drew

[Drew.s]

Hi Guys
The day has finally arrived.
Right on time this little beauty turned up outside the workshop.



After spending a couple of hours removing straw, spiders and various bits of 356 from inside the cabin and battery box, I can now confirm this car is in remarkable condition.





There are only three small rusted through areas, one just to the left of the pedal assembly, one in the left rear seat well and of course the battery box floor.



Off with the wheels (mix of dates 57 and 60) to reveal some corrosion on the outside of the drums, I will need your opinion as to how far gone they are.



But to my surprise with drums off the brake shoes, cylinders and backing plates all seem like new.

[John Pierce]

Congratulations! That's a really nice looking car with little rust. A nice solid base for your conversion project.

[DG58INNM]

Drew,
Congrats. That really does look like a good car to restore. Plenty of work in it to be sure, but better than most of us started with.

Now I'm going to make my impassioned (and probably unwelcome) plea. DO NOT TURN THIS INTO A SPEEDSTER! A coupes are the best of the best. Simply beautiful. Yeah, speedsters are cool, fun, blah, blah. But, A coupes are timeless, elegant, a delight to drive. Something special.

I liken the speedster to that girl in high school or college. You know the one. Bubbly, fun, sexy, a little too voluptuous for her own good. You wanted her, went out with her, had tons of fun with her. You loved her. So did everyone else. But she wasn't the beautiful lady you finally married.

I greatly admire Justin taking a the unsalvage-able (for anyone else) remains of a coupe and creating a speedster. I love Adam Wright's coupester project. But those guys are starting from zero. You appear to have something much better to work with. Restore your very nice Aquamarine Blue T2 A Coupe to its former glory!

Just my opinion.
Take care,
DG

[Drew.s]

[John Pierce]

Go with your dream! Make it a driver. A beautiful one too.

[tperazzo]

It would be incredibly hard for me to saw into those great original panels. It's your car, so enjoy it. But you owe us those pictures and the story about cutting up the back of that nice coupe! Should be fun to watch at least.

Justin makes it look easier than it is!
Peace!

[Jack Staggs]

I liked your story Drew but I'm with Tom on this one. Sorry

[DG58INNM]

Drew,
I understand your motivations. Thanks for the interesting story. Its good to have a dream! And don't mind me, I'm known to be a highly opinionated SOB! Its your car of course, and you and I are both fortunate enough to live in free countries (for now ).

I tend to poke a little fun at the speedster "mystique". I like them as much as the next guy, but sometimes it seems like the hype is a little much. A few years back I found myself in the enviable position of owning both a pre-A speedster and a T5 Roadster. I could only afford to keep one, and chose the Roadster. I'm sure that decision seems strange to many, but for me the Roadster has better lines than the speedster (there's that beautiful vs. voluptuous argument again!), and is slightly more suitable for regular use. At the end of the day though, I still personally think coupes are the cats-a**.

Good luck with your project, and I will enjoy following the adventure.

Take care,
DG

[Trevor]

I liken the speedster to that girl in high school or college. You know the one. Bubbly, fun, sexy, a little too voluptuous for her own good. You wanted her, went out with her, had tons of fun with her. You loved her. So did everyone else. But she wasn't the beautiful lady you finally married.

OH, I know the one! Met her after college though, married her and she's still a LOT of fun!



We were being courteous DON"T DO IT I know of a real Speedster not on the open market that can be had for the high $100's. Yes it needs welding, but is being driven and enjoyed currently as it is. If interested let me know...

[DG58INNM]

Trevor,
Very beautiful indeed! Married out of your league, eh?
DG