Hello all!!!

I've made the decision to jump into the 356 replicar world and am currently looking for a project to build this winter. Am considering both new or used if anyone knows of anything close to Vancouver BC.

I'm not new to the restoration scene, I have a 1966 beetle that I have built from ground up and have over 250hp in... See attached pics.
I will be putting a turbo engine together for my 356 for sure - love turbo power :)

Any and all advice is welcome, I just wanted to introduce myself.

Cheers,

James

WHOO-HOO!!! That looks like it hauls BUNS! Welcome to the club!
angela

I normally say "Welcome to the madness", but it looks like you're already there. Nice bug!

Some of us really like turbo's around here..... welcome aboard....

James-

You may (or may not) be aware, but Intermeccanica is headquartered in Vancouver. Since you mentioned that you might be interested in new, I'd strongly recommend giving them a call, and stopping by to check out the operation. You'll be impressed.

You might also want to get in touch with a couple of members close by- Ron Leonard is a long-time poster, and lives in Burnaby. Rick Davis is out in Challiwack, and has a recently completed 911 powered Intermeccanica roadster that is eye-popping.

There are more, but that's enough to get you started. You'll never look back....

If your into the building thing yourself, why not look for an unfinished or unstarted kit? Or you could buy a roller from IM....they are right in your town. Heck you already know how to do everything else....I would think a rolling chassis from IM would be perfect!!!!!

Thanks all - I have been in contact with Henry at IM already and have their pricing - I think with my budget for the build I will need to look for a roller and/or project car to restore as I didn't realize the price tag of this little gems.

Welcome James and for sure you are into the madness here... As far as IM prices and such you've went to the top of the mountain on your first bite.. You may want to search the vendor tab here and look into kits that could be shipped to BC. If your skills are anything close to what you did on that bug... You will be very satisified with your new tub..

Good luck and keep us posted here...

Speedster "D"

Yes I figured there would be a spread between vendor pricing and I am sure that goes the same for quality and options. I am a person that prefers to build things myself so it is the route I will take with this undertaking. I have the perfect engine/trans combo for the project already...

Is your new set up top secret? Throw up another picture of your work. I like to see your build progress too. Post as many photos as possible.

I'll start a new thread once I get my hands on a car - Engine will be a Type 1 based 2387cc built around a vintage ARPM 2 piece aluminum case. I will need to see how much room I will have in the engine compartment for induction, hopefully it will allow for nice draw thru turbo system, otherwise I can put a set of 48 IDA's on it that are on my backup race engine.

I came across one on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6428&viewitem=&item=330165771021&_trksid=p3907.m29

There is alot of spray foam on the undercarriage - this sin't normal is it????

This car has title issues......Salvage title is not a good thing,
he needs an out of country buyer......leave the country the salvage title goes by by.....

Wolfgang posted some nicer looking ones from craigslist in another thread. They look a lot more promising. This one is sitting kinda strange in the rear.

That thing looks very shady. I'd stay away.

I recieved a reply back from the seller and all he had to say was "poor workmanship, it should clean right up.... Looks more to me that someone is trying to cover up holes and cancer in the car.

I have been in contact with a couple of the vendors listed here on the site - wow what a difference in pricing for a roller!!!

Just an FYI I am going out this weekend to see a potential car, it originally came from florida (in kit form) what vendor is located there?

I looks about 80% complete, needs wiring, interior etc... what do you all use for wiring? Watson Street works or custom made?

Good luck, James!
I'd suggest a tube car with that kind of power, huh? The car from Florida might be a Classic Motor Carriages (or FiberFab, or Street Beasts) or another brand I'm not familiar with, but if it's a CMC, it's probably on a cut Beetle pan chassis.
Be careful, and be sure to inspect the welds underneath. The pans were supposed to be a foot or so shorter than stock, with CMC's suggestion being to cut them in a chevron-shape under the seats. I'm pretty sure you've caged the Beetle, so it wouldn't be too much work to cage a CMC -- but they really don't have much structural metal underneath the fiberglass.
You'll really have some work to do, but the 'glass is generally thick as hell. I'd say the skin would hold up to 200-300 horses pretty safely.
Good luck. Love those CenterLines, by the way!

Yes this one is beetle pan based - it's on a late pan with BJ front and IRS back. If all goes well it will have a bus box in it or a berg 5. It will most definatly get a a chromo cage, I will fab it myself and will likely be a 6 point with removable door bars.

We'll see though, plans always change...

They sure do ...

...........poor workmanship, it should clean right up....

This almost most always indicates a complete tear down and refurbi$h, been there a few times... x6, myself.
Look at as many as you can taking your time locating the right project, this will save you time, money and many headaches. ~Alan