JPS COUPE OUTLAW: EBAY

If you go to "full description" there's a full set of detailed build pics

Yeah....that’s where I got my coupe from!  David is a do-right guy. He had John Steele build that for him which took about 12 months to complete. He said the guys from BHM tried to buy it out from under him for much more than that $50k mark. 

That coupe came in the day after I test drive the one I bought. He sent me pics as soon as it came off the trailer. 

Here’s a video he sent when it was pulled the trailer.

I have noticed, on many builds, that the GAPS around the bottom of the front trunk lid are not uniform. There seems to be a slight widening as the gap progresses from the base on passenger side, along base and up towards the driver side...essentially the bottom of the "U".

I've noticed this on both speedsters and coupes....anyone else notice any inconsistencies in GAP appearance?

From the :08 to the :13 mark, the gaps appear to be symmetrical. 

But not consistent with before and after.......the vertical components of the gaps are not consistent with the "U" gaps....(?)...in any case, that is my visual assessment, not that it is of any consequence. It just gives my eye a bit of a glitch

And its not just this car...I've noticed it on many cars(although ever so slightly) and just a tiny bit on my own. No big deal....could just be??

Two years ago, I was fortunate enough to check out, sit in, and experience a ‘52 Siata Barchetta. I’ve seen Siatas on the lawns of various Concours, but never got a chance to experience one. The one thing that stood out when sitting in the car was the ability to see daylight where the doors met the front fenders. Such a beautiful car, and all I could do was gaze at the daylight in between the panels. 

Before we purchased the Speedster, I looked at many big Healeys, largely untouched and original and by no means Concours quality cars. Definitely drivers. And everyone of the had the same panel figment issues. 

We have grown accustomed in the past 15-20 years of a higher standard of panel gaps. It’s what separates the professionals from the amateurs. But at what point are cars becoming overrestored?  

I have found in the past few years that I am now drawn to the preservation class of autos over the immaculately restored. I still have a deep appreciation for those restorers/craftsmen that are able to bring these autos back to life. But they are being restored at a much higher level and quality than the automobiles were originally. Whereas with the preservation class, that’s the car in its original glory. 

I understand we drive replicas. They are not manufactured in 1955-59. But rather in modern times. I guess what I’m saying is that even though I’m a perfectionist, I remind myself that these were not perfect cars originally. And those imperfections become the nuances or character of the car. I don’t view rock chips as defects, but rather as symbols the auto is being driven and enjoyed. 

Just my two cents, for whatever it’s worth. 

As an aside, my dad sold his 1967 Shelby a few years back. Besides a respray in 1984, the car was largely original; my dad bought the car in 1967. The new owner decided to do a rotisserie restoration on the car bringing it Concours quality, therefore never really driving it. This owner informed me that the paint took 101 hours, as they had to recreate the crappy paint job that once adorned the car in 1967. Original photos show an abundance of overspray on the underside of the car, which needed to be recreated, and apparently took some time. 

-Kevin

On the Suby Coupe, are the rear wheels narrower than the fronts?

On that SUBY Coupe, the tires are the same in all four corners, 201/55/16, I believe. 

Make that 205/55/16...too early in the morning and my thumbs are a bit arthritic. Lol