First Time Research

What should I be concerned with and need to know when searching for a turnkey provider of a coupe?

I will drive the car on clear days, don't need to go fast and do not want to tinker.

I have researched a few providers and spoke with a few references, however have no experience with replicas.

I plan to purchase something in about 4 weeks.

Thanks,

Peter
Salem, Oregon

don't want to tinker? Bettery buy a new Volvo then...these things are nothing but tinkering....at least the very great majority of them....

Peter,

To the best of my knowledge there is only one company that builds a replica coupe at this time. That is JPS Motorsports in N. Hollywood, Ca. He has just started building them in the past year. Get on his web site and take a look at his gallery, he has a few pictures of them.

Bruce

When you said purchase - you mean sign contract to build and put make a downpayment right? I bet the wait/build list for the coupe is a ways off. A 30 year old VW engine at core and a hand built car = tinkering. Sounds like you want an Audi TT - siniliar look but no tinkering.

So far, I have contacted Beck, JPS, Vintage, Thunder Ranch and Specialty Auto Sports and wait for their response. While I know only JPS offers a coupe, I hope to acquire as much information as possible before selecting the company to begin to build the car.

I will meet with John at JPS next month to discuss the car and see his operation.

Does anyone have any experience with Specialty Auto Sport

Peter, there is a nice Envemo coupe for sale in Texas. I do not have the contact info with me right now, but if you are interested in a 356 C coupe replica, red with 1776 engine, contact Rollin Gardiner rgardiner@comcast.net as he has or had one for sale.

Peter, Last time I checked there were several turnkey Speedsters on Ebay. They are all over the country. Some are quite exotic. 911 FI engines, air , power windows, etc. If you like that stuff.Al

Thanks all for your advice. Next week we will get the motor home fired up and head south from Oregon for our Newport Beach (get out of winter) destination where I plan to make an appointment with John at JPS to take a tour and discuss creating a new coupe for me. I will keep you posted.

Any suggestions to make the meeting productive are appreciated.

We would be unconsionably remiss if we did not direct you to the "It's Green" thread here and all that has followed the production of JPS Coupe #1 over the last year. Speaking to Tom Dewalt, if he will be able to do so, might help you a lot. Without getting into details, there were more than a couple of things that were not well understood by either JPS or Tom (or both) that lead to a lot of trouble. There were some legitimate quality control issues on JPS' part. And maybe Tom was asking for too much. I dunno. You will need to get real clear about what you expect the car to be/do, and listen carefully to JPS wrt what he can/will provide. Insist on meeting an owner (there is one or more in CA somewhere)and drive one. One recurring complaint seems to be cabin noise, and I don't have anything first-hand, so can't comment personally. My Speedster, along with all the others, is rather a noisy thing in any condition, and it is what it is. Some folks wear ear plugs, I am told. When you get in a Copue, maybe you will think you're getting into a Camry, and so will expect (consciously or otherwise) something different. It will not be quiet. I do not know where all the "discussion" has led w/ Dewalt, and the other Coupes done since. It would be worth your while to find out.

Kelly (and others)

Thank you for your input. I plan to read the postings you mentioned, take a test drive of a coupe when down at JPS in a few weeks and carefully interview John while documenting everything discussed and agreed upon well before any money or our mutual expectations are finalized.

I am still in the subjective phase of gathering information and considering purchasing a replica and appreciate your contribution to my process.

While I have owned many classic and custom cars, including 911 and Boxter Porsches, I have yet own a replica and find the prospects interesting.

I am grateful for this site and will continue to refer to it as I make my way through this process.

Peter,

What I will be able to tell you from personal experience is that John Steele is a very personable guy, and will be genuinely interested in putting you in a very fun car to drive. John is capable of some of the best fit and finish in the business, and he is a positive stickler about paint, producing exquisite finishes. He claims there is no "No" in his shop, which means he will attempt to provide whatevere it is that you want. That said, there is a finite list of things that JPS routinely does and does well. Deviate too much from this and costs and time will extend and results may be ??. I second the info about JPS being the only replica Coupe maker. I have heard of none others.

Please let us know how it all shakes out for you.

Peter, if you don't have to have an "A" coupe but want a very well made 356 "C" replica, google Envemo, or look under owners of envemo cars on this site. A guy in Texas has a very nice rec coupe he wanted to sell a few months ago. I will put you in touch with him if you are interested.

Peter, you still in town?? if so Cars & Coffee?

Dear Peter,

If you are close to LAX, give me a call. I emailed you my phone number before, if you don't have my phone, you can also email me. I have my JPS coupe sitting in the garage and I am very happy with it. That being said, of course I am working to improve it a bit at a time.

Eddy

Peter;

Since you're going to be in the neighborhood (Newport Beach) for the winter, can we still contact you via your home/Oregon e-mail address?
BTW - are you staying at Newport Dunes?

If so, I'll give a shout when we have our next SOC cruise/tech nite/Cars&Coffee get together. There's always an empty right-seat that you're more than welcome to fill!

I'll repeat this message in a PM to your home e-mail with some additional contact info.

Good luck in your Coupe endeavor!

BTW for your reference, here's a link to the Cars & Coffee event that is held every Saturday morning at the Ford/Mazda Design HQ in Irvine.

http://public.fotki.com/wackydave/cruise_nights/cruise-nights-2007/12-29-07-cars--coffee/

Peace - Out!

Greetings all,
Neither snow, sleet, freezing rain, driving rain, ice, nor Santa Ana winds could keep us from reaching our appointed task of safely driving our motor home from Oregon to Newport Beach in 11 days.
All to say we made it and looking forward to learning more about JPS and their coupe.
My cell is 503-936-0017
E-mail peterL218@cs.com

Peter,

I love my 2007 JPS coupe, but is has had it's share of challenges - most of which are individually minor, but in aggregate a major pain in the butt. This is especially true with 3000 miles between me and JPS. My suggestion is be sure JPS does a thorough job sorting before you ship it and if possible go to North Hollywood and check your car out in detail personally before you accept it.

I also own a 2006 Beck from Carey Hines (Special Edition). Perhaps my experience with SE set me up to expect more than I should have from JPS. I would buy another car from Carey in a heart beat and likely will in the future. His support has been world class in my opinion. As for JPS be sure you have everything in detail spelled out in writing to avoid any misunderstandings. John has a tendency to be "overly optimistic" and to not remember what he has promised. Nail down whatever you are discussing and get it in writing.

PM me at hacksaw57ATmac.com if you want more info or have any questions.

Peter,

Sounds like you are doing it right. Get the first-hand impressions, speak face to face, plus take all the SOC comments and weighing them. Listen carefully to Tom. Then, . . .

Welcome to the madness!!!!

A close friend of mine who raced sports cars and has a hot Vintage Speedster and I visited John at JPS on Thursday January 24 to discussed the aspects of building a new coupe for me.

John answered our questions and carefully explained all the details of construction, components used, and functionality of the mechanical items while helping us understand and actually see the many options offered.

Fortunately, there were two coupes and two speedsters in the shop so John could actually show us exactly what the options were and how they looked and or worked on the cars.

Everything discussed and agreed upon was then documented on the JPS contract, which I took with me to review and further consider over night before making the decision to purchase a new coupe.

My wife and I went back up to JPS on Saturday to confirm all discussed and documented details, review John

Good for you sir. Now yer hooked!

Congrats & best wishes to you!

Congrats, and keep us posted on progress.

I lived in Corvallis for years....You want to test a car for leaks.... Salem in better for leak testing than any car wash will ever be.......

Peter -

Now that you've seen the cars, chosen your personal options and placed your order, time will seem to stand still until your car is delivered! Cheers!!

FWIW - I've offered to help others with pre-purchase evaluation/inspection of vehicles in the SoCal area (primarily OC), and would like to offer my assistance to you as well. If you have no other options, I would be more than willing to make visits to JPS and visually inspect/photogragh the progress of your coupe project and forward them to you.

It would be no problem to do so as I live in the area of Newport Beach/Irvine. Besides, it would just give me an excuse to jump in the Speedy and drive to Hollywood for an afternoon cruise.


...I'm just saying...

I had a '58 coupe back in the 60's. They are hot in the summertime, escpecially in slow traffic. Make sure you get air conditioning.

Congratulations on your decision to get the coupe

With the right expectations, you will enjoy yours.... Keep us posted on your progress

The new JPS Coupe I ordered last week will be painted 2005 Porsche Boxter Arctic Silver with red vinyl replica coupe seats with headrests and grey carpet.

It will have the 1776 cc engine with duel carburetors.

There is no air-conditioning or radio ordered.

Options selected include rubber floor mats, 356 Porsche badge package, right side rearview mirror, Euro bumper guards front and rear, and extra sound deadener materials installed throughout the car.

John estimates 12-14 weeks to complete, test drive, fine tune and have ready for me to fly down and drive back to Oregon.

I will keep you posted as we progress with the car's development.

Best regards,
Peter

Peter,

Good for you, MGM. The hard part -- waiting -- is now heavy upon you. I hope it all goes well for you, and that the JPS factory has got their sh-- together wrt the fine points, like weather proofing. we will be hungry for pics and notes about how it all goes.

Cheers!