Can I get a "Weather Proof" speedster replica.

Hi,
I am new to this site and I'm looking for some information on 356 replicas.
Really the heading of my post says it all, is it possible for me to get a custom built weather proof speedster?
Can anybody recommend a supplier to me?
Also can anybody recommend a supplier that help coustomers with arrangment of over seas shipping (I live in Ireland)
I thought I had found the perfect speedster for me on Specialty Autoworks, Inc. however they will not assist me in the shiping process.
All your feedback is welcome.

Regards,
Mark

Check with John Steele at JPS (www.jps-motorsports.com) if a coupe would fit the bill. The top won't go down, but it would certainly be weatherproof.

Also, check with Henry Reissner at Intermeccanica (www.intermeccanica.com) about one of his Speedster or Covertible D replicas. They all have roll-up windows and are about as weatherproof as any convertible can be.

Good luck and welcome to the madness.

Thanks for the info Lane, oh I love the pictures of you in your red beck speedster by the way =)

Thanks! I kinda like it too. :-)

Do like US folks do on overseas deliveries of Volvos and MB - take a vacation here - pick up and drive the car for the two weeks and then drop it off at a shipper you select for its long trip home. I suspect there is a lot of paperwork to complete for customs and that's why the builder doesn't want to get involved. I'd pick one with a water cooled engine (for heat and defrosting) and windup windows with the taller windshield and higher top. Ya might visit the east coast in May and find one at Carlisle, PA event. Might be better off finding one that was beuilt a few years ago and has all the bugs worked out. I'm sure one of us SOC members would help you get it to the port for shipping (probably Baltimore, MD or Norfolk, VA). Ya might be able to advertise here - WTB: Waterproof Speedster so you could line up a couple to view while at Carlisle! Flishts to Washington DC area are very competitive - BWI/DCA/WAS are servicing airports (with Phila and NY a quick train trip away).

I think it is best to arrange your own shipping. Even for people here in the US. Do some research and figure that part out yourself, you will probably be better off and have much better control of what happens.

The IM D or the SAW Cabriolet or going to be much, much, more weather proof.

You are also going to want to do the research and planning on registering the car in your Country.

Ok guys , thanks for the help so far, I think I'm going to start by looking into the research and planning on registering the car in my Country.
If I can register it as the replica year I can adviod very high import tax.
I'll probably be back asking more questions soon =)

Mark, Wolfgang's advice to make a trip to Carlisle in May is right on the money. If you can swing it, it'll give you a chance to compare the cars from different manufacturers side by side, as well as a chance to talk to the makers themselves. Heck, you'll also be able to hang out with some seriously nutty Speedsters lovers like me. Warning - once you come, you'll be forever hooked.

Mark, welcome to the wacky world of Tubs and Subs.. to your point my new found friend.... Every Speedster IS water-proof. The perfect answer is to NEVER take it out in the rain.. PERIOD.... Hence ... Water-proof...

Speedster "D" Hi & Dry...verse Low & Slow...

Mark, most of us would not drive in the rain locally, but sometimes on long road trips you just can't avoid it. I use my Intermeccanica for pleasure traveling and have driven in heavy rain while the interior stayed bone dry. Not just a short drive... but in heavy showers and storms from AZ through NM, TX, and OK. I have also driven it in the snow in Canada and Kings NP and stayed dry and warm. Locally we have been caught in rainshowers on day trips and then at Knotts 05 my Speedster sat out overnight with the top up in heavy rain without a drop getting inside, including the door sills and the areas behind the door windows.

Again, I don't plan on driving in the rain... but my Intermeccanica Speedster is definitely able to travel dry inside... the two speed wipers work very good for a Speedster and using IMs exhaust and heater boxes witha two speed booster fan unit (*under dash with defrost)with electric two stage seat heaters I can travel in sub 32F temps and stay toasty.

The IM Roaster seals even better, but my experience has been positive with the IM Speedster. NO sales pitch... just sharing my experience. Many owners seldom drive in the rain or they live in So Cal where the weather is more favorable and so top sealing isn't an issue for them. 99% of the time it isn't for me either. I just wanted a car that had the weather capabilities because of the distances I drive on some trips. IM meets that requirement for me.

I'm sure the SAW Cabrio owners can share with you their experience. "Hoss" has traveled cross-country USA east/west and north/south and so it probably seals up pretty good too. I second Lane's suggsetion that you go to the east show and check out the cars and meet some owners. All of the cars are fun and there's very few other custom car or bike markets that can match 356 replicas for the bang/buck ratio. As far as weather sealing... there are owners that have never had the top up on their cars, and they drive them as much as anyone else... so it just comes down to driving habits/planned use.

Mark; I'd say Speedsters because of their nature, and that includes the Real McCoys, might be able to stay relatively dry, obviously with their tops up if standing still while it rains but if you're driving it's another story. As others have said, Convertible D and Cabriolet Replicas are definitely more weather proof because of their roll up windows. Another suggestion; don't ever buy one of these cars with organic material carpets. If it ever gets wet it's stink city...

Mark,

My UK built speedy is pretty much waterproof. If I had to leave it outside all day every day I'd be concerned but it's fine to leave in the rain overnight.

I understand when Porsche built the original car, they referred to the roof as an 'emergency roof'. I think there was a good reason for this.

I think if you're looking for a car which can be left outside long term, forget a speedster. If you need something which can be left outside now and then, a good car cover would work wonders

Mark,

My UK built speedy is pretty much waterproof. If I had to leave it outside all day every day I'd be concerned but it's fine to leave in the rain overnight.

I understand when Porsche built the original car, they referred to the roof as an 'emergency roof'. I think there was a good reason for this.

I think if you're looking for a car which can be left outside long term, forget a speedster. If you need something which can be left outside now and then, a good car cover would work wonders

Mark: I drive my IM to work almost every day rain or shine. The power windows do a great job of keeping the rain out and the inside warm and dry in the winter. I have air conditioning so the windows stay up most of the time in the hot Oklahoma summers.