I've mentally committed to doing it, buy an IM, need advice what to get.

I've been a JPS owner for years. I own the first speedster John ever built. I drove in an IM, loved it. So I plan to either sell my JPS or give it to one of my kids.

How should I have my IM built? What features and option? Speedster or Roadster? I'm 5'8", so not tall. Cost isn't too big a factor. But I don't want to go overboard with gadgets. Handling's very important (love driving the twisties). I want to use it as a daily driver, rain or shine. I plan to drive it across country quite a bit. Don't want an air conditioner, but heat's important, don't go overboard since I live in SF/Bay Area, won't likely drive in the snow. I like "get up and go" torque. But don't plan to race it around. I drive from SF to Tahoe and Reno often (up steep climbs).

So please... open MY wallet, but spend wisely!

David

Replicate GB's as far as your wallet will allow.

I'd do this, if it were me-

If money were something to watch, but not the overriding factor, I'd get a 2110. It will have good power, and make good heat for the cabin.

Since you live in CA and are getting the 2110, I'd forgo the Espar heater- you probably will not need it. I would get the heated seat option- you'll be snug as a bug with this combo.

I would get a Roadster for all around visability and usability. You give up very little in terms of "cool" for what you gain.

I'd get as much leather as I could, with square weave carpet.

I'd get 4 wheel wide 5 disc brakes, with an 356 umbrella e-brake handle.

I'd get a trunk mounted spare, and the sound insulation.

I'd leave off the hardtop, stereo, a/c, power windows, etc.- but I would want power locks, and if it will help you be able to leave the car alone while shopping/ eating out, an alarm.

If you aren't especially tall, I'd get the roadster seats.

Good luck- keep us posted!

Sounds like the IM I have ordered. I am going with the 4 wheel disc brakes, weave carpet, leather seats, original color (ruby red), roadster. I am not getting a/c. I am getting sound deadening , halogen headlights, 4 speaker stereo, My only question now is the engine, although I am leaning, strongly, to the 2110cc. My only concern is how loud is it. I watched Mike's movie starring Fern and was concerned about the noise. I am not a wimp but that was loud. I played the movie at my office and it made a commotion. Fern is only a 1600cc. I have been assured that IMs have better mufflers and sound more like the real thing. Unfortunely, I hae not seen a IM up close. I will see two on Jan.3; one a roadster with the Super 90 engine and the other a speedster with the 2110cc. I will compare. I also have a friend in town with a real 356 coupe. I will go for a listen and report back. By the way, this year Henry has a more powerful middle engine. The 1600cc super has been upgraded to a 1776 cc with 100 hp

After researching this site, asking all the questions you can think of and finally arriving at what your new car should ultimately be, visit Henry at IM. Plan some tme with him. Besides the nickle tour of his shop he can provide you with other options available. He's a wealth of information and experience. Attend a couple of the upcoming events as well and explore paint and interior options. They always seem to be the biggest hangup of all. I agree with the others: 2110, leather, wide fives, front and rear sway bars, umbrella brake, gearing, etc.

I am also getting the bumper guards and rear seat seat belts, just in case. I understand the rear third brake light is standerd. Is the spare an extra? I just assumed it would be included....

Steve, in a perfect world in would go to visit. I just can't do it. What is the umbrella brake? Photos?

356s had an ebrake whose hardware tucked up under the dash. The showing end of the handle is shaped like a 'T'... Bumpershoot to some 'T' handle to others. You say tomato, I say get it done that way as opposed to the standard VW between the seats rig... It'd be a shame to spend all the dough to get an IM and then have it scream VW with its eBrake...
Learning the hard way in Benicia,
Ho,Ho, Hoshit

Because of inter provincial trade laws in Canada, I was not able to buy a new IM. And because of federal laws, I was not able to import a newer speedster from the States. So I bought a nice used one.

Henry sometimes has lines on used IM's that might fit your needs. I realize this does not compensate for the thrill of planning your new car to the 'n'th degree, but might save you a few dollars.

RJC

I have a ruby red roadster with a 2165cc engine. With a good exaust system it is not too loud. I think the bigger engine ups the fun quotient considerably.

I'd drive up I-80 and visit Dale Bates. See his nice car... I should have ordered the heated seats! The speedster is nice and I love it, but the wife would prefer the roadster (hair and all that). Check the articles on Cal-look.com for a comparison of the 2110 and the 2165. I am not a real technical guy but I think that the choice of muffler/header will control the noise level and noise is more dependent on muffler/header than the size of the engine (to a point). David, I am only about 44 miles from you, so come on up or let me know and I'll send you my phone number and we can BS a bit. My car is much nicer than the red one you rode in. (Of course he wouldn't agree) I'll even let you drive mine. For a mile or two!
dale

Thanks you guys!

This was what I've been thinking:

bigger engine (have no clue what to get for how I'll be driving)

2 wheel disc brakes (tell me why I should go 4?)

full flow, extra oil cooler (is there something more? I've blown up two engines on my last speedster)

handling options (torsion bars, sway bars,

as much leather as possible

wool square weave carpeting

3 spd heater booster

Nardi wheel

right hand mirror

ivory interior trim

halogen lights

front trunk modification to fit spare tire, rack & pinon steering

wireless antenna

Things I'm not sure about:

4 wheel disc brakes

engine size

Roll bar (want safety, not sure if it looks wacky)

bumper guards

tall guards with over riders (what is this? anyone got pics?)

derrington style 15" steering wheel (what is this? anyone got pics?)

Courtesy light (where do these go, can't be on the conv top???)

euro tail lights (are these the teardropped shaped lights?)

Carrera louvered rear deck (is this primarily for looks?)

sound deadening (don't mind a loud engine, is it worth it?)

tonneau cover with Tenax fasteners

Not sure about Roadster seats. Don't think I need reclining seats unless someone out there thinks that's a big mistake to not consider those seats. I like the speedster seats.

Like the speedster front windshield look (low). But I've heard a Roadster is more weather tight. If so how much more weather tight?



Are there any other options not listed on Henry's option list (perhaps other custom items I haven't even considered?)

Appreciate those who responded. Would love everyone's input. I hope to only do this ONE TIME!!!

David
Merry Christmas to all!

Here's a picture of the Derrington wheel.

I think Brian's car is a good example of 'getting the good stuff', but not going over the top. If you're going to be putting a fair amount of miles on your car, then you may want to consider a Jake Raby motor. His 2270 has lots of power and should last for 100,000 miles. It costs more, but in the long run it may cost less. The only problem with the type 4 motor is that there are no heater boxes available. You would have to go with a gas heater.
Also, Joe Soltis (Joqyver) just received his Raby motor. You may want to get some feedback from him.
Ron

Does anyone know anything about IM's new 1776 motor?

Glad to see that you are hooked and need more!!LOL

Henry offers a TIV upgrade and even with an automatic tranny. That would be sweet with my engine, shroud and our air conditioning arrangement.

What is a TIV upgrade?

David,
The speedster seats are great, but even Henry's are fiberglass shells, and the roadster seats are built like a "real" seat with metal frames and springs. Fibersteel sells speedster metal shelled seats for $$$$- too much unless you want a speedster, not a roadster. With the higher windshield, the roadster seats would be perfect, with the lower speedster windshield, the higher seats would be... high. You're on the right track...

Paul, a T4 upgrade is having a T4 type motor installed in your car instead of the 'beetle' T1. So, who puts together Henry's T4s? I imagine that the best choice (in my opinion) would be a type 4 with fuel injection. I've heard that Jake's west coast partner is very good with fuel injection. Even though the 44's on my IM work well and I'm always having trouble with the CIS fuel injection system on my 911 pickup, I'd still go with a proven, well set up fuel injection system over carbs. The CIS system on my single cab is 17 years old.
Ron

David, I think you have to decide what you want in a car. Do you want an authentic replica, or a rocket on rails, or both. That will have a large effect on what options make sense for you.

Ron, do you have any idea of the price difference btwn the 2110cc engine and the T4 fuel injected engine? Also, if one were to try to go with the authentic, rather than the rocket on rails approuch, the engine choice is even more important. The 1776 cc engine is 100hp, the original super 90 was 90 hp

Paul, call Henry for some prices on motors.
Ron

You also have to decide just how authentic you want to go. For example, I don't think anyone would advise you to go with 4 wheel drum brakes. The engine is another area where you can put in whatever you want and most people can't tell the difference, that is, if you open the hood.

The T4 is about double the money of a T1, but they are apples and oranges. You need to decide if you need one apple, or are willing to buy two oranges, over the life of the car.

I can save you a lot of money . . . go ask George if you can drive his new one . . .when you do, never turn back . . . that's how we do things here in the land of the Sopranos . . .

Seriously, I own a CMC, and I have sought out Henry at IM for advice, parts, etc. He was always very accomodating, and that's to someone who really hasn't bought a major $$$ from him. I CAN tell tou to stay away from STREET BEASTS!

I think an IM is a good decision even if the budget is limited to the stock engine or the Super 90, rather than the larger versions. I have the Roadster, which I purchased a little less than a year ago. The car has 13,000 km on it, and it has NEVER failed to run. I previously had a Speedster, but not an IM version.
I cannot say that the Speedster never failed to run. Of the two, the IM version is (1) more expensive; (2) more comfortable; (3) more reliable; (4) not as dramatic as the Speedster (fewer looks that I attribute to the colors-Speedster highly polished shine on black finish with tan leather interior. Roadster highly polished shine on Chiffon white (new Porsche factor color)with tan leather interior; and the rounded windshield. Fewer Roadster replicas on the road, so more of the Porsche purists consider it to be one of the family, and rave about it. Roadster is less dramatic than the Speedster, but performs better with Super 90 1600 prepared by Pat Downs than did a 1771 boxed engine. Roadster has more room, and greater visability with the top up. I have driven it every day to and from work, and it has 13,000 km in a little less than a year.
Why not try them both, as Henry undoubtly does as great a job on his Speedster as he does on the Roadster. this is ALL fun fun fun. It hurts anytime I can't find an excuse to drive where I need to go.

Scott, I love your car, my wife would trade ours for yours in an instant. She rode in it with Henry last year at Knott's and kept giving me the "why didnt we get a roadster?" look. I drove the car and it was very smooth and easy to drive. I really noticed the comfort of holding your Nardi steering wheel compared with my skinny plastic one. I would pick the roadster for daily driving too. How is the "invisible" stone chip protection holding up? It looked pretty nice last year. Are you planning to do Knott's this year? Hope so.

Dale, et.al...
I hope to get to Knotts again this year, since it sounds like a lot of people on this site for several years now are coming in for the event. It should be a great event. S.