Just ordered a ConvD from Beck. Hardtop only, soft top delete. No one makes soft top hardware for a ConvD. On previous Beck ConvD Carey paid $15k for convertible top hardware from a real ConvD. Hard top is about $2.5k
Car will be Suby with Suby 5-speed.
I completely plagarized my spyder. I will do the same with my ConvD. I will copy John Oates' Emory 356 as close as possible. Wait time is 30 months. So I still have 2-3 more years to enjoy my spyder. If my back holds out I may keep it.
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I was wondering what he said. Glad to hear this, Phil. Now we get to help you with the design process. 
Are you going Suby power again? Inquiring minds want to know.
Yes Suby. Car will have similar suspension upgrades to your car. IRS with coil overs. Front double wishbone. Going with Suby 5 speed. A/C with hidden Bluetooth stereo. I really wanted an all weather car with role up windows. And honestly the Conv D looks better without the big convertible top sitting on the back. It will look more like a speedy when the hard top is off. I’m a little surprised no one has ever asked Carey for this combination. But 30 months is a long time. I’ll be 63 by then. I think I’ll be ready for a comfy car. Those who know me remember I had a very similar intermeccanica Conv D. Why did I get rid of that car. I ask myself that question all the time. Oh well.
Not gonna get a lot of sympathy from me on the age thing 🤣 but I like your choices.
I will be really interested in following your build Phil, that is a great choice. Will it be mid engined? or reverse R&P in a subie tranny? The removable hardtop slopped like that example is a real sweet setup.
That Emory/Oates car has always been one of my favorites, right down to the color.
I can't wait to see your car with a hardtop
@550 Phil posted:Those who know me remember I had a very similar intermeccanica Conv D. Why did I get rid of that car. I ask myself that question all the time. Oh well.
Great question.
Don't make the same mistake twice. Hold onto your Spyder even after you get your "D". You can thank me later.
@edsnova posted:
Nashville Tennessee tags out in California... hmmm
This Derrington steering wheel is mounted upside-down. The whole point of the three evenly-spaced spokes is to get them out of the way of the two large gauges. Mounted this way they are directly in front of the speedo and tach. If the single spoke were straight up in the middle, as it is supposed to be, all gauges would be unobscured. As a bonus, the 9-and-3 and 10-and-2 hand positions would also be unobstructed.
@americanworkmule posted:
Who wants to tell him?
@550 Phil posted:Just ordered a ConvD from Beck.
.... will copy John Oates' Emory 356 as close as possible. ...
What kind of upholstery is in the John Oates car? It looks nice.
Phil, the front and the top is sloped differently than the standard body it says in the article I wonder if Carey will duplicate that as well. One thing you might want to consider is getting a full tonneau cover if you decide to remove the top for some top down driving if you do not keep the spyder. Just saying.
Interesting. I hope it all works out for you, Phil. Your IM was a sweet car, and this one should be also.
Pretty cool Phil. Looks like graphite grey metallic but better.
30 months...U have alot more patience than I do
Oates car is just a guide. Think his is a 356B. Mine will be a ConvD which is a 356A. Just really copying colors. But I would like exposed gas cap in hood and fog light mounted in hood. I think Carey can do most of the mods. Lots of time to think about it.
Phil is a patient man. Maybe not as patient as Lane, but that's OK...
Phil, I know I'm going to love this car!
@Stan Galat posted:Great question.
Don't make the same mistake twice. Hold onto your Spyder even after you get your "D". You can thank me later.
Yup Stan. What I should have done is get the Spyder and keep the IM. Kind of A$$ backwards but same endpoint.
@barncobob posted:30 months...U have alot more patience than I do
If the car is worth it, the wait is worth it.
I think my Intermeccanica build was a similar time line, from first query to delivery.
@550 Phil posted:Oates car is just a guide. Think his is a 356B. Mine will be a ConvD which is a 356A. Just really copying colors. But I would like exposed gas cap in hood and fog light mounted in hood. I think Carey can do most of the mods. Lots of time to think about it.
Phil. One thing I dithered on was external engine hood hinges, as some of the Emory cars have. When I finally decided - this idea came late in the build process - it was too late to reverse engineer for hinges like this.
That's the one item I wish I had have added to my car. They may suit your car, or may not.
@barncobob posted:30 months...U have alot more patience than I do
He has more years left 
.
@550 Phil that is one sweet car and cannot wait to see it come to life. I can attest your IM was a great ride but understand why you want to the Spyder. This one will be all that and then some. Good on ya.
Oates' car looks like a cabriolet, so the top will be different. I've never seen a D with a hardtop until your IM, so you can let your imagination run free. I'm sure you can count on some ever so helpful advice from us. 
@Lane Anderson posted:Oates' car looks like a cabriolet, so the top will be different. I've never seen a D with a hardtop until your IM, so you can let your imagination run free. I'm sure you can count on some ever so helpful advice from us.
Lol ..... Love it Lane, Love it.
In passing, it will be nice to see if Carey will make a more slopped design removable top than the IM top Phil had. Just saying.
Yup. 30 months is a long time. But that matches my plans for semi retirement. Also I’ve got a very fast Spyder to keep me company. Might also give Carey time to work out any remaining kinks in the new fully independent suspension.
My car will have the traditional ConvD hard top. Yes modified sloping roof like Oates’ would be cool. I’m just not interested in paying for the labor to change the roof. Picture of my old IM.
Well, that makes a lot of sense, the time period will allow many things to be improved and changes to happen and at 63 you should be good to slow down. Good luck with the project.
Good to slow down at 63? That's just a good starting point.
Come on, Ray. Get out of your walker, and get doing...
@Bob: IM S6 posted:Good to slow down at 63? That's just a good starting point.
Come on, Ray. Get out of your walker, and get doing...
Lol, your funny Bob, I am busy landscaping here getting my exercise eating like a lion. We have a complete reno planned again this summer... go figure old houses.
I was just noticing how much space there is behind the rear window on the IM version and how much there is on the Oates version. It could be easily done to extend the removable hardtop further back and insert the rear port hole wing style windows. It might be easier that you think but only if Beck is interested in doing this and add for their future product line. It certainly adds to the slipperiness of the shape of the car with the roof extended. Anyway, all suggestions are just that suggestions and the choices of course will lie with the buyer
@IaM-Ray posted:Lol, your funny Bob, I am busy landscaping here getting my exercise eating like a lion.
I hope you're ready for sticker shock on the building supplies.
We're mid major renovation (2nd floor Master bedroom or the new politically correct "primary" bedroom and two bathrooms). I'm glad we got the framing and roof, windows and insulation done last year because costs have skyrocketed.
Sticker shock for sure, fortunately we did the master bath last year but the shower and tub and taps were shocking for sure.
This year we are doing mostly smaller stuff but lots of landscaping and painting. In any case many things you buy you feel like they have one hand in each or your pockets.
