I just got back from Carlisle and was checking out Beck's website to see that the S90 cabriolet production has been stopped, I was really surprised to see this.
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I just got back from Carlisle and was checking out Beck's website to see that the S90 cabriolet production has been stopped, I was really surprised to see this.
The Silver #001 demo is for sale. Better get it while you can!
They only had a very limited supply of bodies and all of those trim and decor bits so they built what they could and called it quits.
Will's right - it's a gorgeous car and will appreciate quickly.
Will's right - it's a gorgeous car and will appreciate quickly.
Don't panic yet. There may be some dissention in the ranks at Spedical Edition about that decision. A conversation I had with folks at Carlisle lead me to believe that you might still talk them into one. It's worth a phone call.
Oh yeah - The silver #001 car is headed to Switzerland.
Oh yeah - The silver #001 car is headed to Switzerland.
Wasn't #002 displayed at Carlisle too?
yes, the black, red, black was there sold and on route to Chicago.
"Now accepting pre-orders for 2011 deliveries." (2009 & 2010 Sold Out)
this is still on their website, yet in another area it says that production is halted.
But thanks for the update,I too was at Carlisle and talking to Kevin Hines about the black s90 and he didn't mention that prodution is halted. Actually for my friend thats considering either a SAS or Beck s90, the fact that he might not be able to get one has made him even want one more and may have aided in the tipping in Beck's direction . Certainly not their intentions but a great marketing idea maybe !! ha ha
They sure are great, I just love that 3 layered top and the seats although not as original certainly were well built and comfortable. It's a whole different look for me at least than the speedster or roadster, don''t know what I would choose if the choice was mine.
"Now accepting pre-orders for 2011 deliveries." (2009 & 2010 Sold Out)
this is still on their website, yet in another area it says that production is halted.
But thanks for the update,I too was at Carlisle and talking to Kevin Hines about the black s90 and he didn't mention that prodution is halted. Actually for my friend thats considering either a SAS or Beck s90, the fact that he might not be able to get one has made him even want one more and may have aided in the tipping in Beck's direction . Certainly not their intentions but a great marketing idea maybe !! ha ha
They sure are great, I just love that 3 layered top and the seats although not as original certainly were well built and comfortable. It's a whole different look for me at least than the speedster or roadster, don''t know what I would choose if the choice was mine.
The car was drop-dead gorgeous, and very well done in every way. The seats were "special ordered" and are electric motor adjustable, so sit a little high, actually, putting the steering wheel a little low, relatively, and odd, by my liking. Different seats would fix that easily enough. I learned that that top -- again a gorgeous piece of custom hand work, contains over 100 parts. Also, the fellow said that he hoped they never made another one, as this one (or two, as it was) was a serious PITA. About what you ought to expect from a first-off work, IMHO. No doubt future editions would be easier to do. it ain't no Speedster, that's for sure, but very nice indeed for what it is. If this is something that can be sold at a profit, then I'm guessing maybe they will continue to do so. If no money in it, then I'd guess not. I am sure they are not running an automotive charity there at Beck, nor a school for how to assemble really fine replica Porsches that nobody will buy.
yea, very complex relative to a speedster in many ways and the price tag is just high enough that sales would probably be not as high, so for all the extra effort I can see why they would choose not to continue production on a regular basis. It is so incredibly different than even a roadster and have yet to really understand why, the differences in the body, such as the higher placement of the headlights on the fender and wider hood at the bottom seem subtle but yet overall vastly different. He said its like driving a couple and I could see why with a top built like that. Do you think that if this model had been the build choice of all the replica companies rather than speedsters and roadsters that they would be as popular as the speedster are now? It doesn't appear that the real C cabs command as much as the speedsters or roadsters, don't know why, maybe you do?
I'd have to say "no" that they wouldn't be as popular as a speester or "D" replicar. Although a beatiful car, it is lacking that look that makes you say "I want that car & I don't care what it costs". Speedsters, spyders & even an outlaw type "D" can make your heart beat a little faster just looking at them. The s90, might just be too practical & nice for this crowd. However, I'd still like one in my garage.
All 356s are instantly recognizable as members of the same family, certainly. But there is something different about the Speedster that puts it in a class by itself, IMHO, and it has to do w/ some very subtle styling elements. The low windshield, spartan appointments, sensuous curves uninterupted. Not being an automotive designer, I don't know how to articulate or analyze these details, I can only tell you what I see. I think this explains the popularity of the design, relative to that of the roadster, Cabriolet, etc. As a replicar business, the key is exploiting the differential between the cost of an original and the cost of the replica. By far, this differential favors the Speedster: very high value attached to the originals, rather low cost invested in making the replica.
The photo is one of a S90 seen at cars 'n' coffee a while back. not a replica, but a redone original, simply flawless. Not a soft-top, obvioulsy.
The photo is one of a S90 seen at cars 'n' coffee a while back. not a replica, but a redone original, simply flawless. Not a soft-top, obvioulsy.
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The fact of the matter is Kevin hates the build time and cost of producing the s-90, but it's a good thing we don't listen to him all that much anymore. ;-)
I did accept one more Cab. order since Carlisle, but the customer knows it will be a long build and time frame wasn't important at all... so it was interesting enough for me to say "yes", plus I liked the color combo a LOT, Subaru power, very nicely optioned, etc...
I do need to update our site as well.
So... I guess I can't even really say what the status of the s-90 project is, other than with the amount of time it takes to complete each one, and with how busy we've stayed with speedster and spyder sales, I may do one a year on a completely custom basis.
And the comment about the price difference between the original and the replica is spot on. That is why the ENVEMO project didn't do as well as it should have in the early 80's. 356Cs were not expensive. It is also why we are replicating the 356C Carrera 2, as their prices have gone through the roof on the last few years. I know Barrett isn't a good way to calculate value, but the last one I saw go through there went over $250K. A far cry from the value of a normal 356C.
I did accept one more Cab. order since Carlisle, but the customer knows it will be a long build and time frame wasn't important at all... so it was interesting enough for me to say "yes", plus I liked the color combo a LOT, Subaru power, very nicely optioned, etc...
I do need to update our site as well.
So... I guess I can't even really say what the status of the s-90 project is, other than with the amount of time it takes to complete each one, and with how busy we've stayed with speedster and spyder sales, I may do one a year on a completely custom basis.
And the comment about the price difference between the original and the replica is spot on. That is why the ENVEMO project didn't do as well as it should have in the early 80's. 356Cs were not expensive. It is also why we are replicating the 356C Carrera 2, as their prices have gone through the roof on the last few years. I know Barrett isn't a good way to calculate value, but the last one I saw go through there went over $250K. A far cry from the value of a normal 356C.
Jane said "It doesn't appear that the real C cabs command as much as the speedsters or roadsters, don't know why, maybe you do?"
According to 356 Registry figures - it comes down to # of units produced.
13,536 Cabriolets were produced thru 1966 - they were more luxurious (IMHO heavier/slower/less handling as result)
4290 D/Roadsters were produced thru 1961
4100 Speedsters were produced thru 1959 - plus these have the allure of being the California car for a new affluent, young person (back in 1957!) west coast life style. Approximately 1/2 that number exist today.
(Ha, doesn't explain why the ungainly looking Karmann Notchback with only 1750 produced never was as valuable as the others though. Many got their roofs cut off to become convertibles! I bought one that ran but didn't stop --- had Fred Flintstone floor so not an issue in 1975 for $300)
According to 356 Registry figures - it comes down to # of units produced.
13,536 Cabriolets were produced thru 1966 - they were more luxurious (IMHO heavier/slower/less handling as result)
4290 D/Roadsters were produced thru 1961
4100 Speedsters were produced thru 1959 - plus these have the allure of being the California car for a new affluent, young person (back in 1957!) west coast life style. Approximately 1/2 that number exist today.
(Ha, doesn't explain why the ungainly looking Karmann Notchback with only 1750 produced never was as valuable as the others though. Many got their roofs cut off to become convertibles! I bought one that ran but didn't stop --- had Fred Flintstone floor so not an issue in 1975 for $300)