Single Seat Style: 1980 SSR1 Speedster
If you are going to drive something that looks like a vintage racer, you might as well get something that performs like a vintage racer, which isn’t like the latest turbocharged Caterham offering or one of those three wheeled Slingshot things. Cars from the golden age of the automobile were slow, even race cars, and there is nothing wrong with that at all. Find this 1980 SSR1 Speedster offered for $10,950 in Surprise, AZ via ebay.
From the seller:
Price just reduced !!! This Unique vehicle Must GO !!! One – of – a kind Toy, this Speedster was built in 1980, reportedly it achieved over 100-mpg! It shows 3,335 miles and comes equipped with a Honda 450-cc motorcycle engine with twin-carbs DOHC and a five-speed manual transmission. Hand-crafted, it took over a year to build and would cost in excess of $50,000 to replicate. It has over 300-feet of rectangular tubing and was built like an airplane fuselage, light-weight, yet very strong, and the front and rear of the Speedster are designed to be collapsible. This is a one-of-a-kind vehicle that would be a great addition to any collection. Car was parked and not driven for the past couple of years, will need a tuneup. Sold on as is where is basis, buyer is responsible for pickup and shipping, I can help with transport if needed. Clear title, car is titled and registered as 1980 McLean. Car is also listed for sale locally and I have the right to end up this auction at any time, if you really want it I can end up the listing for you as well ! Thanks for looking !
Item specifics
| Condition: | Used | Year: | 1980 |
| VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): | MICH82046 | Mileage: | 3335 |
| Engine: | Motorcycle Engine | Options: | Convertible |
| Model: | Oldtimer Speedster as Lotus 7 | Transmission: | Manual |
| Drive Side: | Middle | Fuel Type: | Gasoline |
| Interior Color: | Black | Exterior Color: | Metallic Red |
| Make: | Replica/Kit Makes | Trim: | Honda 450 2 carbs 5 speed |
| Body Type: | Convertible | Vehicle Title: | Clean |
| Warranty: | Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty |
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Are those Honda Comstar wheels?
I thought they looked like Honda comstars too.
I imagine that the designers spent at least a whole minute considering whether they should design some resistance to side loads in case someone used the wheels on a car before deciding that it would never happen.
This is a damn cool buggy.
I’m out of my depth on this one, but my gut instinct is that this is a rare example of awesome hand crafted engineering. Too bad the sales information is so incomplete. The builder must be RIP?
I don’t think there was a four cylinder 450cc Honda engine so this must be a two cylinder from a CB450. No problem there, it’s probably roughly the same air cooled engine as used in the Honda N360 or N600. The Comstar wheels look bespoke in this application though as Hugh points out, it’s unclear as to whether they provide a good beadlock against side loads, but they look really, really aesthetic here. I’d like to know what the brand and size of the tires are …
I assume the transmission is a push/pull affair. How are the gears changed?
No shots of the cockpit, instrumentation, engine compartment or the frame. Boo. How is this omitted? Seriously?
I don’t know what class this would race in for SCCA or other events, but I’ll bet it’s not a crowded class. This car demands a feature article and if I was local I’d be the guy writing it.
It kind of reminds me of Chris Burden’s b-car
https://petrolicious.com/articles/remember-chris-burden-a-man-who-made-art-with-machines
Fascinating performance artist, I did not know about Burden. Provocative art, an automotive Laurie Anderson in a way.
comstar wheels and honda powerplant. would seem odd to use engine from diff bike than sourced the wheels. wikip sez cb450 sunset around 74 & all were chain drive. my 1980 cx-500 had those identical wheels and shaft drive. some under the metal pics would definitely be useful in lotsa ways.