[Steve Cassani]

Dar73 asks me, "So which one did you go with?"

I chose the Kirkham hybrid - slabside body, narrowed 427 frame with a coil spring suspension. I'm waiting for the builders estimate of time and materials. We're likely to go back and forth a few times, coming to agreement on the details.

Then come the months of waiting....

I've examined, but not driven, a Beck 904 at several vintage events. Their owners are pleased with the car. Using the last generation of air-cooled flat sixes results in a car that is much quicker than the original while giving up nothing in the way of street driveability. Be sure to try on one for size, especially if you're taller than six feet. Beck lengthened the chassis, with the added wheelbase allowing a far less cramped interior. Still, your head will be closer to the windshield than you may be accustomed to...

Visibility out of the car is very good. The owner's tell me handling is without reproach, inviting cornering speeds they had not attempted in a street cat.