356 Coupe Replica Wanted

I am in touch with some good builders. Always have been. Details like rain gutters, authentic dash and how they approach their work are being considered. Some of us are more purists than others and I appreciate and support that. This car is for me today. So Subaru, AC and roll-ups (which may be better than power) are all "necessities". I'd add that a custom-made chassis or added reinforcement to a VW are better for the car. The evil is in the details. How are these parts prepped and coated? But the rest is relatively easier to incorporate. I agree...keep it simple but also build the best you can for today. We're not trying to fool anyone that these replicas are the real deal. Why should we? Ours, in many respects, are much much better. I'd never own a genuine 356 unless the price was more inline with typical replica prices.

So if anyone wants to sell something close to what I want, please keep me in mind. I am ready to go but will likely stop looking in a few weeks and go do something else. I appreciate all of the discussions this thread has produced and maybe I just might be able to join the madness soon. 

If we see one we'll let you know.

4Banger posted:

Yes. Contacted Vintage, Seduction, and two others that are less established. No new IM for my budget. Some deals better than others. For example, one can do SUBY at the same price other does VW. But the rest of the features basically the same. I need used with 2000+ miles and some sorting which is why I posted the thread here. Trying to talk one of you out of yours. Ha. I "just" want a mild outlaw...roll ups, AC, and no radio and trim shaved.

ralbiter posted:

4Banger posted:

Yes. Contacted Vintage, Seduction, and two others that are less established. No new IM for my budget. Some deals better than others. For example, one can do SUBY at the same price other does VW. But the rest of the features basically the same. I need used with 2000+ miles and some sorting which is why I posted the thread here. Trying to talk one of you out of yours. Ha. I "just" want a mild outlaw...roll ups, AC, and no radio and trim shaved.

 

Please explain...

crhemi (Bill) poboiinhawaii posted:

ralbiter posted:

4Banger posted:

Yes. Contacted Vintage, Seduction, and two others that are less established. No new IM for my budget. Some deals better than others. For example, one can do SUBY at the same price other does VW. But the rest of the features basically the same. I need used with 2000+ miles and some sorting which is why I posted the thread here. Trying to talk one of you out of yours. Ha. I "just" want a mild outlaw...roll ups, AC, and no radio and trim shaved.

 

Please explain...

I feel like someone who was just involved in a hit and run.

ralbiter. Why the pictures?

Bill. I have now contacted all the builders I know. I would say maybe 10. I really wish I could share some details but posting here would likely not end up good for me. I will share some talking points though that should make some sense.

1.The more money involved, the higher the risk. Transactions should be handled as if they will fail. This means specific time lines (time is more important than money), detailed specs (state exactly what you want), and make certain your contractor can deliver (assets, performance bonds, history etc.).

2.Do your homework. Talk to past customers and those waiting for delivery. Don't just listen to the loudest but listen to many. Consider advertising but realize that it is not necessarily true and why do they have to advertise if their product is selling so well?

3.Show me. The best scenario is when a builder has several models ready to deliver. This is costly for them. Otherwise, have someone show you current images. But be aware. Some post images robbed from others and really have nothing to sell of their own. Best to deal locally so you see things in person. I can't hold sales pitches and promises in my hands.

4.Conduct yourself professionally at all times and demand the contractor does the same. Do not get sucked into their personal or business "drama". You have a transaction to fulfill. Keep your eyes on the prize.

Sorry if I sound too vague but I could write a book on what I have learned. The phrase "buyer beware" doesn't even cut it. In my case, I knew exactly what I wanted. I did not find anyone who could actually deliver at this time. If I build, I will likely have to compromise and accept less. At the same time, I must be prepared to walk away if the risks are too high.

This thread was originally intended to be "Tell me if you have or know of anything finished for sale." so I could avoid the custom build process.

I think RalBiter must be a Mexican builder?  One of the Coupe shots says Mexico customer on it.  Getting one built in foreign country and having to pay anything up front is even added risk.  Plus titling and customs further add to risks. (OK not true with IM).

4Banger tutorial sounds like one of the courses I took years ago at the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) on government contracting.  Too many, a delivery date is merely a mark in the sand and an agreed to price is but a starting point figure.  It applies to even the Lockheed Martins, EDSs and Boeings - boy, do they get a big smile when they here "contract mod$". 

Wolfgang,

RalBiter's pictures (and the Mexican "We will build you one here" response I got) are just a small taste of what I have been seeing. Bad enough dealing within the US. Many bodies are built in Mexico. But let someone else deal with import and buy only in US.

Agreed. I always included an early bonus as well as a late penalty in my bigger contracts. I was a system analyst at NASA during the development of the 1st space shuttle.  I see "contract mods" as being a nice way of saying the buyer (US Gov.) didn't know what they wanted or someone needed more kickback. Of course that never happens anywhere but those foreign corrupt countries. Ha.

i was just responding your cuestion.

pictures was just to show you one of our coupe builds.

this is a international fourum not just from usa.

good luck with your search

"this is a international forum not just from usa."

Rafael:

Yes, I sense you are getting a little of the 'inferior foreigner' treatment here, and it's sad to see.   

I've seen some of your builds on other forums, and they look good  to me.

https://www.facebook.com/searc...6%20replica&em=1

hi bob jejeje yes i just answer a cuestion.

yes inferior foreign treatment but is ok.

i have a lot of customers from usa and realy a very good guys. now making 6 proyects for usa customers and very cool proyects.

thanks bob 

bob send you some pics of our builds.

this coupe was the first replica allowed to race la carrera panamericana.

I remember Rafael posting here from years ago and recall seeing his ads for the folding top on eBay (recall it was like $499 with frame and Sta-Fast top?). He was with AJ Motorsports back then.  I didn't recognize the Ralbiter moniker at all though nor does his profile indicate location.  Like 4Banger said it can be quite costly to import single items even from neighboring Mexico --- add to that customs and risk of lost shipments. 

I just ordered a $100 rearview camera from Mexico for my new Miata and shipping was $50!  From Japan,  an OEM camera was $349 but only $34 shipping though.  I suspect "from Japan" it gets shipped via container and sorted out in California. (I know made in China rear view cameras are under $20 but the Miata's reverse signal is only 6v - not the normal 12v - plus it needs a special plug).

Bob: IM S6 posted:

"this is a international forum not just from usa."

Rafael:

Yes, I sense you are getting a little of the 'inferior foreigner' treatment here, and it's sad to see.   

I've seen some of your builds on other forums, and they look good  to me.

https://www.facebook.com/searc...6%20replica&em=1

Thanks for sharing the link!

I enjoyed the pictures of the coupes. Nicely done!

Ralbiter,

Not bashing stuff made elsewhere or your work. Just not how I want to do it. I thank you for trying to help me.

As I predicted above, posting all I learned on a public forum would not be good for me. This was a smaller example. If I told the rest, it would be a big bees nest.

How well do those window frames hold up with the fiberglass window frame as opposed to a metal frame??  They do look very nice though!

Everybody knows there are marginal companies in this business. Those of us who have been around a while know who they are.

The thing is: you've said yourself what the issue here is. You have champagne tastes and a beer budget. You want a very specific set of criteria in an inexpensive car. 

You aren't likely to find it. Coupes are a relatively new product, are nowhere near as popular as a speedster, and are quite a bit more expensive to build. Asking for an inexpensive used coupe with A/C, Subaru, etc. is like looking for shards of the true cross in a box of matchsticks. Some people are born with good looks, a winning personality, and the ability just fall into money. It's possible in the abstract, I suppose-- sort've like an infinite amount of monkeys at an infinite amount of typewriters could possible write Hamlet. I'll keep the porchlight on for you, but I'm not waiting up.

These cars are really expensive for what they are (fancy golf carts with obsolete lawn-mower engines). Making them better with better drivetrains and features makes them cost even more. Trying to get more for less is a recipe for disaster in this hobby, and it is on this frontier that the thieves and charlatans patrol, looking for suckers to lure in with promises of being "just as nice as a Beck (or IM)".

Ruskin's Common Law of Business Balance states that:

There is hardly anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price alone are that person's lawful prey. It's unwise to pay too much, but it's worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money – that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot – it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.

Fast, cheap, well-made: you can pick any two. There's a sucker born every minute. Forewarned is forearmed.   

Stan Galat, '05 IM, 2276, Nowhere, USA posted:

Everybody knows there are marginal companies in this business. Those of us who have been around a while know who they are.

The thing is: you've said yourself what the issue here is. You have champagne tastes and a beer budget. You want a very specific set of criteria in an inexpensive car. 

You aren't likely to find it. Coupes are a relatively new product, are nowhere near as popular as a speedster, and are quite a bit more expensive to build. Asking for an inexpensive used coupe with A/C, Subaru, etc. is like looking for shards of the true cross in a box of matchsticks. Some people are born with good looks, a winning personality, and the ability just fall into money. It's possible in the abstract, I suppose-- sort've like an infinite amount of monkeys at an infinite amount of typewriters could possible write Hamlet. I'll keep the porchlight on for you, but I'm not waiting up.

These cars are really expensive for what they are (fancy golf carts with obsolete lawn-mower engines). Making them better with better drivetrains and features makes them cost even more. Trying to get more for less is a recipe for disaster in this hobby, and it is on this frontier that the thieves and charlatans patrol, looking for suckers to lure in with promises of being "just as nice as a Beck (or IM)".

Fast, cheap, well-made: you can pick any two. There's a sucker born every minute. Forewarned is forearmed.   

STAN: you said it ALL....on point, concise, kind, informative......a LESSON IN THE REAL WORLD!

"Fast, cheap, well-made: you can pick any two. There's a sucker born every minute."

Stan - You just profiled every SOCer who bought a new kit directly from CMC in the '80's!  Even then where could you buy a Speedster for $7995 and only have to add a $300 (mine was free) VW and 40 hours of labor?

It seems too good to be true! But it's true! (also, I make $6,000 a month working from home in my spare time!)

is ok 4 banger i was just ofering our product you ask for coupes and i just respose your question.

i know almost all builders worldwide most of them are my friends i can help you to find one in usa if i know of one.

regards

Most, if not all, manufactures, builders,  on line here, man up and pay the dues.

I know I would not take anyone serious here without a paid membership.

Art

Thanks to Robert M, Wolfgang, Lane, Crhemi, Blankenship, Motocarklo, Art, Longfella, Bart and Ralbiter for your help. May not have happened with your links but I think I have something later this year. Will post when/if. 

Would like to close this thread as it seems it's taken a wrong turn. Can someone advise me how? After all I am not a paid subscriber and don't want to go further until I am.

There's no closing it; we'll just run it into the ground or it'll peter out on it's own...

4Banger posted:

Thanks to Robert M, Wolfgang, Lane, Crhemi, Blankenship, Motocarklo, Art, Longfella, Bart and Ralbiter for your help. May not have happened with your links but I think I have something later this year. Will post when/if. 

Would like to close this thread as it seems it's taken a wrong turn. Can someone advise me how? After all I am not a paid subscriber and don't want to go further until I am.

 

Thread drift is one of our bad habits. It happens with even the best topics. 

@Theron

Theron can close it if you're not interested in adding to it. You can also unsubscribe from the thread if you're getting emails after every post.

Move the cursor over your avatar/name box which is the blue box at the top right side of the page and another box will automatically open. Move the cursor down the list to "Notifications" and click on it. When the new page opens the first choice under the heading "NOTIFICATION SETTINGS" is "Suspend all email notifications" select that and you won't receive emails anymore.

Good luck with the search.

C

4Banger posted:

Thanks to Robert M, Wolfgang, Lane, Crhemi, Blankenship, Motocarklo, Art, Longfella, Bart and Ralbiter for your help. May not have happened with your links but I think I have something later this year. Will post when/if. 

Would like to close this thread as it seems it's taken a wrong turn. Can someone advise me how? After all I am not a paid subscriber and don't want to go further until I am.

 

COUGH UP 49 BIG ONES....pay the freight and OWN UP!