About the Original Speedster
The big event of 1954 arrived in September: the charming, sporty Speedster. It was yet another bit of marketing magic from Max Hoffman, who, despite his experience with 1952 America, didn’t think U.S. demand for roadsters was quite so limited and that an inexpensive model should be a permanent part of the production line.
The Speedster was actually evolved from the Glaser-built America and even had the same Type number (540), but was designed by Reutter to minimise production costs. For instance, it used the regular cabriolet body but had none of its luxuries. The Speedster arrived with only a simple canvas top and side curtains instead of a built-in padded top and roll-up door windows, though its windshield was cut about 3 1/2 inches shorter for extra rakish appearance.
The cockpit was as Spartan as a Triumph TR2’s. Seats were simple buckets with fixed backrests. Instrumentation was limited to the speedo, tach, and temperature gauge; technically, the tach and heater were extras, but it was hard to find a car without them, so they were effectively “mandatory options” that pushed the typically delivered price over $3,000. But Hoffman realised his target base price of $2,995.
Hard to believe today, considering these cars now change hands for many hundreds of thousands of pounds and the Speedster – charmingly nicknamed the “Bathtub Sports Car” – was the most spartan and basic of all models produced. It’s popularity today is undoubtedly linked to its timeless design incorporating wonderfully simple styling, so reminiscent of the amazingly popular cars later produced also by Volkswagen.
About our Pilgrim Speedster
This hugely powerful influence on present-day classic motoring enthusiasts is what has driven Pilgrim to produce the latest and without doubt finest re-creation of this timeless classic. With significant improvements to the engineering since its inception, our latest rendition is also designed to evoke all the elegant lines and cheeky looks of the original cars from the ’50s; you may notice our Speedster has a sleeker retro look to it and the hood is more stream-lined. By also incorporating modern, fully independent twin wishbones, rack and pinion steering, disc brakes, and coil over shock absorbers to the radical front suspension, the driver can enjoy a level of handling and braking never before seen in either an original or homage.
This is further enhanced with the removal of the torsion bar to the rear suspension and the clever inclusion of a fully independent, adjustable coil over the suspension system. This allows, as with the front set up, infinite adjustment to Caster, Camber, and Toe to provide an extraordinary level of road-holding combined with the low and aggressive stance mimicking "Outlaw" Cars from the period. Even more authentic is the rebuilt and updated flat four VW 1651cc twin carburettor engine: it has the sound of the original!
The drive and feel, it has to be said, surpass this iconic classic.
In addition to a completely redesigned heater system, the instrumentation, seating, and level of trim with a beautifully manufactured low-line canvas top make the Pilgrim Speedster unique, not only in finish quality but in usability.
Designed for daily use or the occasional weekend trip the Pilgrim Speedster becomes a genuinely attractive alternative to commuting, far removed from the banal and the mundane. The iconic shape is loved wherever you go!
