Getting closer!

Just received the third invoice from SAW/SAS so that means all of the body and chassis work is completed. Now it's on its way to the paint both. It's been a long wait but I think I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I need to start practicing my SEG in the mirror.

Nolan!

Is it too early to think about coming to Carlisle with us this Spring?

You could maybe hook up with Bob Bigham in Atlanta or me and Lane Anderson in South Carolina and caravan up with us.....

Just thinking.....

Gordon
Organizer of Speedsters Meet Sypyders at Carlisle 2007

Would love to but looks like Carlisle is being preempted. We have relatives (wife's side)coming over from England in April. We had hoped they would have visited in May but this was the best time for them. I will follow all you lucky ones via your postings.

But Carlisle is in May. Does that help?

Nolan.....I make my go to paint payment in the first week of Oct and I'm not anywhere close to a finish product.I can't even get an update... so better cross your fingers or something......Mike

WOO-HOO!

Mike, I don't know what to say. I know Steve's outfit is slow but I've seen his production staff, which was only three guys when I visited them, and the final products he puts out. His finished products are outstanding. I can only wait and see how long it takes. Right now I'm looking forward to when I can get off these damned crutches, nearly 8 weeks down and hopefully 2 to 3 weeks to go. The longer Steve takes now just gives me more time to heal.

Hoss, as much as I want to go to Carlisle this year, my Frau will have burnt up her vacation time. I thinks she refuses to retire just so she won't have to be stuck in the house with me. I know she won't let me go on my own with a new Cabriolet, kind of letting Vince go out with the boys and giving him a pocket full of dollar bills.

Good golly, Nolan, that imagery of Vince turned loose in the tub by himself with a pocket full of change.....egad, that's scarey! ;-)

Nolan:

I'm 3.5 hours North of Daytona, and I'll need a right seater for the trip North to Carlisle, 'cause my wife won't be going and she doesn't want me driving all the way alone.

Want to go?

We'll be riding in a plush, air conditioned, F150 Pickup, towing my trailer. We'll have XM Radio, an IPOD stuffed with 3,000 albums (mostly Jazz, Big Bands and classic Rock), CB Radio, a couple of cell phones and a Rand McNally Road Atlas (none of this GPS stuff for me!).

You can Stay the first and last Night at my place in Beaufort, SC, 30 minutes from I-95 (and leave your car here). We'll leave here May 16th, and be back May 20 or 21 (we'll decide in Carlisle) and you'll be home the next day.

How 'Bout It??

Sounds good but I can't make a commitment right now. Is there a deadline for letting you know? Right now there a few things up in the air and until they're settled I really shouldn't make any plans. Keep me in mind as I'd love to go!

All depends on who decides to go along with me first - it's first come, first served....

I asked a local club member (who has the sweetest, Factory Five 427 Cobra replica I've ever seen) but he'll be out of town that week, so it's up to either Peter McEwan or you, whoever decides first (and Peter's deciding, too.....)

Remember the words of our favorite Presidential Candidate from years past, Pat Paulson:

"Vote, or get off the pot!"

I'll keep you in mind and let you know what's happening!!

Gordon (2004 picture of Carlisle - Nice legs, huh?)

Yep, nice car for sure....;-)

Wait a mnute - Peter can't ride with you. He has to bring his own car.

Nolan, how's the calf-zipper coming?

On a related note, my right-seater is not coming.
"I'm sure -- for you -- looking at a bunch of cars for a whole week is very exciting. I think I'll go to visit Stella in Miami instead. Have a good time."
WOO-HOO!
Anybody want a ride?

Cory, thanks for asking, the calf zipper is healed but I popped a couple stitches right where the heel flexes. Had to go back to have six more stitches put in. Doc's leaving the them in until the 1st of March to make sure it heals ok. Not allowed to put any weight on the foot so I don't stretch the heel or put any strain on the stitches. Right now my calf has as much tone as an empty douche bag and my wife's nerves have never been this tight. We're both down with colds and she stayed home from work today. God, I'll never figure out we lasted 46 years together. I'm hoping all gets well later on and I can catch that ride with Gordon.

Fingers are crossed.

Hey SAS guys any news?

Years talking about new deliveries and I only see one (1) suby powered on the road, to me this is a big scam.

Kept posting please, and good luck.

PD

No scam. I know of two very happy owners (John Hallstrand and Steven O'Brien), and there are more in the (admittedly slow) pipeline.

Just passed two years and not a word from SAS..........Mike

(Just passed two years and not a word from SAS..........Mike)

Two years and not a word? that looks like a scam to me or a should said: SAS

Specialty Auto Scams, Inc

It is no scam. I've been to the builder and liked his product. His operation is small as is his crew. He generally build more than one car at a time but is meticulous in his design. If you visit the SAS website look over the gallery of cars that have been built. The Subaru powered 356 is his latest design and a lot of engineering is involved. It's not a matter of hanging the engne on the back of a VW transmission. Each Subie powered car built is built from the ground up and has modifications the last one didn't. Unlike using an engine that was designed in the 1930s that which remains vertually the same today, each year Subaru there are engine and computer system changes and these changes have to be engineered into SAS cars. Sensors, timing, and fuel injection controls all need additional attention. Some buyers have opted for the Turbo versions which led to trial and error settings for the computer settings as well as additional structural modification to accommodate the turbo, exhaust, heat, and emmission requirements. I am still patiently waiting for my Cabriolet to be finshed and like Hoss, Steve, Rob, Michael and other SAS I will have the biggest SEG ever.

Hey Nolan,

Are you around?

I P.M. you last week without an answer.

Sorry guys, I haven't been around to throw my 2 cents around. Frankenleg got infected just before I was completely healed. Spent the last 11 days in the hospital to have the lower part of my Achilles Tendon and a whole lot of other stuff surgically removed. I'm home now but have a 5"x2" hole that's open from the skin to the bone. The Doctor says he's healed bigger wounds than that but I've seen smaller exit wounds from an AK-47, I hope he's right or I may have to have the SAS Cabriolet modified to drive with my left foot. The worst part is that when it heals the Tendon will still be separated and I will have to decide weither to live with it or go through the BS of having it reattached, walking on crutches for nearly four monthes and hoping it does't get infected again. Well that's enough about me, our guys and gals are coming back from Iraq with worst, I'm lucky compared to many of them. Now back to SOC, I'm gone for 11 days and there are 1226 new messages, it'll take me another 11 days to catch up.

Just got off the phone with Steve from SAS. We went over some final details on scripting, bumpers, and other stuff. Starting to look promising, my damned leg and car may be ready about the same time. I find that I can drive wthout the tendon so I'll be able drive it once it's here. Decided to go with BMW's British Racing Green with Cream and Tan interior and black canvas. It will be flared but not Outlawed having bumpers, low bumper guards, hood grasp and solid red tear drop tailights. Engine will be 2.5ltr with automatic tranny. AC, power windows, third brake light, and cruise control. Haven't determined whether I'll fly up and drive back or have it shipped all depends if the leg can hold up during the long drive back.

I'm excited for you Nolan. It's been a long wait, but I suspect you are going to be very pleased with the final result. I hope you are well enough to drive it home. Of course you could request that you "mentor" deliver it to you.....he he he
Hoss

That's a thought. Must get car registered and insured before pickup.

Hey Nolan Those are great news, first your leg and second your ride getting closer.

Steve gave you aprox. time of delivery?

Is the paint is done yet?

What's the car stage?

Any pictures?

Men you should drive you car home and make yourself happy.

G.V.

Gonzo: According to Steve the car will be painted this weekend and I just received the invoice for final assembly this morning. Looking forward for some pictures from Steve since I'll need them for insurance and registration purposes. I will post them as soon as I receive them. Couldn't get over the shoulder seatbelts I wanted and settled for lap belts but did get arm rests for the doors. I wonder if Michael Guthrie has heard anything about his Turbo. I'm sorry but I was too surprised by Steve's phone call to ask about the progress on your car, you should be hearing something soon.

No news is not always good news. Have not heard anything for the past 5 months and we are at 26 months and counting. Third year at the April event without a car.......Michael

Has it occurred to any of you guys that have made deposits and are still waiting for cars to be built that your builder is using your money to finance the cars in line ahead of you?

I have no direct knowledge to support this theory, but SAW sounds like a giant "pyramid scheme" to me.

More than two years after a deposit and no info, no car?

Does anyone think this is reasonable?

Michael,
I'm sorry I didn't see you at the Paso event. It has always been nice to talk with you.

Dale You drove out as I walked in. Sorry I missed you. I did see Vince on the freeway (in the rain) Sunday and was reminded why I wanted roll up windows. Michael

I have a friend in Texas who has had money down for nearly five years. It was an IM clone (a private builder, NOT IM). No car yet, just occasional pictures! I'd a gone huntin' by now!

Two years? With a staff?
It didn't take me that long to motivate my dude out here, but it was close -- and he lost a house, a wife, his kids AND his day job in that amount of time.
I would absolutely have turned into Elmer Fudd by now.
Can you ask them what your VIN is, and hold them to that by visiting occasionally?

Keep in mind guys that SAS has several 356 replica builds in various stages, including a coupe, a couple of Jags, a recent Cobra repair project and generally a couple of Street Rod projects all going on at the same time. There are three men in the shop, counting Steve, who is often occupied with other business-related projects. Needless to say, he is spread pretty thin, the consequence being that build times are lengthy.

If you can't reach him by phone or e-mail, rest assured that he is industriously occupied; if he spent more time talking to you or supplying photos, that would further erode his already limited time.

Rest assured, there is no "pyramid scheme." With over twenty-five years in the business and a reputation to protect, he is not likely to let anybody down. I have known him, his wife and his staff for several years now and have come to think of him as a trusted friend. In fact, I probably know him better than anyone on this website, except perhaps Charles Gardiner. I would be very surprised if anything happened that would be cause for my opinion to change.
Hoss

Somebody knows how many finished and completed SAS Subaru are out there?

I only recall two:
1.- John Hallstrand completed on 2004 and
2.- Steven O'Brien completed on 2005

SAS has completed 6 Subie powered 356s since 2003. 2 Jaguars, 2 Cobras, 2 Lambos and a number of restorations have been done as well as a group of VW powered Speedsters prior to 2003. The website is real as is Steve Lawling's integrity. As far as I understand SAS generally has 6 or more cars under construction and I last heard he hsad 13 Speedster/356 on the waiting list.

I've been in contact with Bill, owner of Tubaru #2 In the Boston Area. He's actually thinking of making the trip to Carlisle, but his car has been back at the shop at SAS getting a bigger Subaru transplant (he's going to the Forester 2.5 liter engine), and getting some cosmetic work done. BTW: HIs car is a full automatic, the same as Steve O'Brien's.

SAS tells him he'll have it by Carlisle, but we'll see, but there ARE more than 3 of them out there cruising the roads.

gn

What in the he-- do people find so wrong with waiting for exactly what one wants. If I wanted an Oreo I can get one this afternoon--if an oatmeal with pecans might have to wait. No one builds a auto like SAS!!!!! IM adds the weight of a water cooled in the rear--SAS is a mid engined! tube steel chassis, rack and pinion with adjustable coil overs, rear chapman struts and four wheel disc brakes--ANY mod humanly possible--down to cruise control--where else do you get standard power windows>!!! And is less than 40 loaded.

Please guys--back off-- give Steve(the builder) and those who have

thoughtfully ordered ONE FINE AUTO a brake

John Legate