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What is a mid engine Super Speedster ?
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A "mid engine Super Speedster" is a
replica of the 1957 356A Speedster
without
all of the undeniable historic performance and safety limitations
which are
also found on virtually all of the VW Speedster replicas currently
available worldwide.
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What are these typical
performance and safety limitations
of other Speedster replica kits ? |
- VW
pan based kits have undesirable weight
bias
- the
heavy rear mounted engine on the shortened wheelbase creates an unavoidable
over-steer and a tendency to "swing out" and possible
loss of control during
enthusiastic sports car type driving. Wet or sandy
conditions aggravate this situation even further. The
light front end lessens high speed stability as well as steering
control
and braking capability.
- After all.. isn't this supposed to be a sports car
?
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Mid Engine Super Speedsters enjoy the high performance
traits afforded by the mid mount engine plus a lot more
desirable features
- VW
pan based kits typically have Antiquated steering, suspensions, and
braking systems (1938 design)
- These
features when altered by necessity to accommodate the
requirements of the rear engine replica become unpredictable in
their performance and durability. The original Beetle had 36-55hp with steering,
brakes, and suspensions designed for that limit.
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Mid Engine Super Speedsters have modern rack and pinion
steering, adjustable Macpherson strut front suspension,
adjustable double upper wishbone rear suspension, large
4 wheel disc brakes-power assisted, heavy duty double
caged bearings on all four corners designed for 300+ hp
- Inaccurate body
shape and interior
- Virtually all
VW Speedster replicas available today are somewhat inaccurate in their exterior body
shape and especially in the interior treatments such as
upholstery, carpet, floor pan width, park brake handle location,
and tunnel size.
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Mid engine Super Speedsters offer a very accurate
presentation in both areas
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Undesirable
lap type seat belts
- 3 point seat belts are preferred as in the
Super Speedster and all
three anchors need to be
attached to the frame of the car which VW pan Speedsters
do not have.
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Mid engine Super Speedsters provide
areas for attaching 3 point anchors to main frame members
- Questionable
structural integrity
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Original VW Beetles were designed as a
composite of a bolted body and a pan in order to achieve
adequate strength. The VW
replica Speedster requires removal of the body and its structural
integrity and replaces it with a perimeter sub-frame of
unknown integrity.
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Mid engine Super Speedsters have a welded structural
frame totally independent of strength provided by a body
structure
- Questionable fuel tank location
- VW pan
based Speedsters mount the fuel tanks over your lap.
They are restrained by lag screws into the fiberglass
trunk floor which separates you from the tank. They do not have structural impact
protection.
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Mid engine Super Speedster
provides a location
forward and away from the passenger zone down below
impact level and surrounded by 2" x 5" welded structural
steel frame members for your tank. Occupant zone is separated
from fuel tank by welded steel firewall and steel floor.
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Are the seats comfortable and adjustable
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Occupant seats in VW pan
based Speedsters are limited to
small non adjustable fiberglass buckets.
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Mid engine Super Speedster floors are 4 inches
wider and 2 1/2-4 inches lower than the VW pan versions thereby allowing
use of the readily available "Roadster" style
seat which has slide, lean, recline adjustments.
Adjustable head rests attached to steel tube
seat frame.
In
Short - the
Super Speedster kit is
presented to the
enthusiast who not only wants the gratification of successfully building his own car
in a reasonable time frame and controlled cost,
but also seeks the pleasure of having a finished car with a quality and
sports car type performance worthy of the personal and monetary investment.
See the mid engine Super
Speedster Features
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