he two Speedster, we are building, couldn`t be more different.
I, being `the purist`, will attempt to build an exact replica, Paul on the other hand, being an engineer, will totally re-design the running gear and
customise the body. In fact Paul has now decided to build a Californian replica, with flared wheel arches and no bumpers. This is similar to the
race-spec.

This reflected in our starting points. I`m starting with a 1969 Beetle with torsion bar suspension and luckily discs on the front and a 1600cc engine.
Paul`s starting point is a 1973 1303 Beetle with independent rear
suspension, shoes all round and a 1300cc engine.
As you can see by the picture album the `69 has lost its body and the chassis and is ready to be stripped. The 1303 on the other hand had just passed its MOT, when its engine seized.

Work on both cars has practically stopped at the moment,Christmas 2000 (but lots of planning is going on down the pub), due to the fact that I have just finished re-building and detailing the engine on my `63 and Paul is  moving  house. The latter being a God send  because in a month or so, we will have a triple garage to build them side by side. That`s when the fun and  the late nights begin.

The garage is up, the chassis are re-built and the bodies are on order. But more of this later.