356C Coupe Replica Poll

Aside from the overall discussion, I thought I'd start a quasi-poll thread. The poll question is:

Would you be interested in purchasing a 356C coupe replica with a target price of $25K?

The answers to choose from are:

a) Yes, regardless of drivetrain and trim level. Anything under $30K and I'm in.

b) Yes, I'm looking for a no-frills, reliable, economical, weather tight daily driver. (Possibly a modern japanese drivetrain a la the SAW Subaru Roadster). I'm in to affordability and usability.

c) Yes, I'm looking for a high performance, tricked out, outlaw coupe. (VW all the way).

d) Same as B but it has to have a VW drivetrain, even if its only a basic 1600.

e) No, and I'm not sure why I am responding to this poll.


-Jeff

Why a 356C? Why not a 356A, B or even preA?

*Marks Fred down as a "e"* :)

I think the leaning towards a 356C is due to the Envemo car being based on the C and the C being more evolved than the earlier models.

-Jeff

no

Jeff, Jeff, Jeff--I just asked a question. I don't want to be an e!

Man, no wonder they had such a hard time in Florida. :)

So far I have a "no" and someone who wants to discuss it but doesn't have a decision. :)

Ok... Maybe I need computerized voting. :)

-Jeff

Watch for those hanging chads!

I am a definate maybe also but not too hot on the "C" model, although I bet someone could do both the A-B and the C with the change to the deck lid. Don't like the exhaust outlets in the bumper guards either, I know, picky, picky!

West Coast Bruce

Being hijacked by the "A/B/C" question aside... is your definite maybe in relation to a specific drivetrain preference?

(Pictures Speedster Owners at the polls on Nov 2nd... "For President, President of What? Which part of the presidential process am I voting for?) :P

-Jeff

Sorry, but it can't be done for $25,000. And maybe not for $35,000.

Last winter Carey (Beck Speedster) told me at a minium expect to cough-up somewhere in the low $30k's, which is about what Scott Sloan paid for his drop-dead pretty, new IM GT Speedster. (That's one beautiful car!)

There you go.

Steve at SAW told me they don't see coupes as being a viable business option, though added they *might* try to build a couple, I am assuming by special order.

I salute your passion.

Yes to the 356 A, no to the C.

PS: Steve at SAW mentioned they would develop cross-members in their frame that unbolt so the engine/drive train can be lowered from beneath, unlike their Cabo whose Suby engine is removed via the compartment of the car.

Yes to the 356C no to the 356A !!

Jeff:

Put me down for a "B"

Undecided as to drivetrain - 150hp air/water cooled doesn't matter (turbo-diesel could sound good at this point!).

Jeff,
Your $25k "price point" is way too low. Only Fantasy Motors will have 'em that cheap.

Gord, its nice to see I'm not the only modern drivetrain heathen in here. :) The lines and interior are timeless classic but why not have the benefit decades of engineering improvements?

Ok I give up on the poll. Since I'm about to veer off course in my own posting. Must be the air in here.

Funny you should mention a turbo diesel. Years ago I used to read a lovely mag out of Britain called Peformance Car. Large format, excellent writing and fantastic photography. One month they had a piece on a Westfield Lotus Super 7 replica. Basically a rollerskate on wheels. And this little monster had some 2 or 2.2L Turbo Diesel engine in it. Damned if it didn't go like skat. They were stunned. Go figure.

So its been done. Crazy brits.

-Jeff (Who, after all these discussions is abandoning all hope of a modern driveline in a coupe body).

Its looking more and more like the price point isn't the issue. With the variety of original coupe styles out there, and the wide discerpency in what people like, I don't think there exists a market of true economic demand, regardless of the driveline.

At most I'm getting the feeling about 3-4 of the members here would seriously put up cash to buy a car. Being that the hard core speedster owners tend to show up here sooner or later, thats not exactly a rousing endorsement of a business model, regardless of price point. Such is the economic reality of something like this I'd say.

I think I'll go back to dreaming and scheming about one of Steve's Subaru powered Cab's. It pretty much fits the bill of everything I want, at least if I can get a light coloured top. Being in the very sunny sun belt means a black top would be horrendous. Otherwise its hard to beat. Although my glowing wife pointed out that only two seats won't make sense for too long....

-Jeff

Ya know.... When a 1997-1999 Boxster cen be had for around $20K I start to wonder why I'm talking about a coupe replica... of course my wildassidea(tm) mill didn't stop me from thinking "Wouldn't a 356 Roadster/Cab rebody for a Boxster be sweet :). I saw photos the other day of someone lengthening a real Boxster for a Carerra GT rebody, but thats a whole other thing....

Ahh well, perhaps I am spending too much time at fantasy motors... Or looking at some of the crazy things Jag owners have done (that comes from my days with an my XJR). www.beacham-jaguar.co.nz/inicial.htm

They take 60's Jags and put complete modern running gear under them.

-Jeff

Jeff,

Think it would take somebody with deep pockets and a lust for doing something like this. Lots of pro's and con's on the issue but the fact remains that someone is going to have to step up to the plate with big bucks. The fact that there may not be much of a market is somewhat sobering. I see myself in a 356A coupe replicar with a 2110 or bigger engine. Maybe Miesen Blue(SP?), Yes! $30,000, Yes!!

Bruce

C. and E.

Jeff,

I'm with Fred 356A, 1776 with a 901 5spd and cup holders. LOL

Karl

All,

After thinking about the coupe I finally realized what I like about the idea. It would give me interior room to store "stuff" and still oblige a right seater with comfort, like my wife. Now, if I go for an over the weekend jaunt, the wife takes one look at her remaining seat space and says, "go ahead and have fun." Luggage racks are fine but then you have several problems appear, security, rear vison, and precipitation. I admire Rick and Brenda, Dave and Linda, and others finding ways to store their belongings, don't think my wife would agree, but in a coupe, maybe!

Always dreaming, Bruce

C

Put me down for an all out Outlaw "A" coupe. Dump the pan and build a tube frame and put some modern suspension on it. I would pay $30.

I'd put a 40g base price MINIMUM into one discribed above. Just as long as the quaility was there and that money put a nice base build together. This is hypthetical right? I am already doing my build with IM.

I mean, look at a framed IM... really a neat thing. A base Speedster is 30G. Add discs, sways, wide fives of your choice, torsion bars, R&P Steering, a mid level 2110, a heater, and you are at 40. add leather, a 5 speed, etc, etc. and you are passing 50. You can see why a solid framed Coupe A would have to come in for around 40 ++ base price.

Realistically, I think it would take that level of quality to put a 356A Coupe (styled stock to carrera to outlaw) on the road. My guess a big issue would be body flex... so that frame better be solid. And the mold has to be at the 98% level of excellence. Look at the windows on a clone Daytona Coupe or a GT 40, and the frame.... then tell me a solid 356 can be done (base car) for less than 40. Heck, just think off the cost of replicating the dash, back seats, headliner, and....

Otherwise go back to option C..., on a pan.. and I still think a 30-35G base would be required. It takes 20 to get a base VS or JPS out the door, right? Great cars, and very durable builds. But try and imagine your JPS/VS with a molded coupe body WITH the widows down... and imagine the flex unless the mold and reinforcement were right. Then you would need some HP to pull the extra weight..

I think a SAWster would be the way to go with this set up. If you want a true road car with all weather capability and handling. It might not be, "aircooled", but it might be cool for road tripping and hauling ass!

There's a thousand Audi TT Coupes out there for a whisper. I know... I would rather have an A coupe than a TT Coupe too. I am just trying to inject, what I think, may be a realistic price for a framed 356 Coupe.

What about the ENVEMO coupes? They had a pretty good production run. Built on a "Brasilia" pan-chassis, were they subject to excessive flex problems? Anyone?