JPS MOTORSPORTS SPEEDSTER?

First of all I would like to say Hello, I'm a new member. My name is Dennis and I'm an ex-VW/Porsche mechanic. I've been interested in getting a sports car and I was thinking Porsche. I've narrowed my search down to getting a Speedster, it solves my issues I've had about getting fun car.

My question is, How about JPS? I've looked at their site and I really like what I see, especially the seats. How well are they constructed, the level of components, workmanship, fit and finish and dealing with the company?

Thank You in advance,

Dennis

P.S. I've worked on the real thing and a couple of IM's when I lived in S. California. (78-80)

You might also want to look into the Beck Speedster.
www.beckspeedster.com

I own one and like the solid feel of the tubular frame. Hand-laid glass and a nice steel scissor top mechanism.

The JPS looked nice at Knott's.

Look at them all, including Vintage Speedster and Intermeccanica. Then decide based on your needs and budget.

I agree with the other posters that you should research all your options before making a decision. That said, regarding your specific questions I think you would be very happy with JPS in terms of contruction, quality of components, workmanship, fit and finish and especially working with John Steele.

Dennis,

I'll soon know, my new JPS Speedster went on the truck last night and is promised to be here Saturday. I did the same review you are doing and decided on the JPS as getting the most car for the bucks. John Steele is a good guy to work with, very meticulas in his work. Car ran longer to get than promised but several people that have seen it attest to it being a fine car. JPS web site has a couple of new pictures of my car. After getting past the home page and into turnkey, my car is the red one, also in the gallery section, the bright yellow one is the same car. John Leader, web site master, switched colors on the red car, cool. When I get the car I will put it on the registry with comments. One option I requested that I think makes sense is the larger 13 gallon fuel tank. Up here in Oregon gas stations are not around the next corner, so bigger is better. Bruce

Bruce is right about the gas tank - go with a larger optional one. also consider how you will drive the car and make the engine horsepower and transaxle ratio combo fit your needs. Don't get a hydraulic cam engine.

You're getting several nudges from JPS people - it would be nice if you could see a JPS, VS, Beck. and Intermecanica side-by-side for comparison purposes but that will probably be impossible. Try to have a good look at as many different versions as your can.

Another new member here - and very glad to find this site, and up till now, didnt know much about JPS, but I am now researching further. Interesting stuff in the registry search/comments re builders. Any JPS cars in No. Calif (not necessarily for sale) that I could look at? Only stuff here is VS from dealers.

Dale, where are you located in the bay area???
E-mail me
Gclarke@crcindustries.com

Dale,

I'd be happy to show you my car. It's at the mechanics in Dublin getting some service done. It's been down at JPS, I got it back after 7 months being in LA. I live in Danville, email me if you'd like to talk. dzlouie@yahoo.com

David

Don't forget Tom Mc Bearnie's Thunder Ranch in So. California.619-444-1006 He does it all! He makes a truly custom car"in house". Yes he mfgrs the bodies, builds tube frames that allow an ACTUAL size TUB not the reduced width version common to VW chassis kits, paints and builds the motor of Your choice. His prices are VERY competitive with the others.

I looked at ALL the others and by accident learned about this stellar builder just 2 weeks ago. My frame was powdercoated this weekend....
I feel like a kid in a candy store when there. Do yourself a favor contact him before you commit to anyone else. P.S. tell him you learned about him in an email from his newest customer Chuck.
(Message Edited 9/14/2003 5:38:06 AM)
(Message Edited 9/14/2003 5:39:11 AM)

You gettin' paid Chuck?

Chuck,
When you say,
"builds tube frames that allow an ACTUAL size TUB not the reduced width version common to VW chassis kits,"
what are you talking about?

Did somebody tell you that VW-based Speedster bodies are narrower than Porsche-built Speedsters?

It's my understanding that the bodies used by Vintage and JPS come from a mold of an actual Speedster body. If there's a dimensional difference, I'd be curious as to where the measurements are not the same.

A couple of more questions: Is the Thunder Ranch Speedster project something new from them? There's no mention of it on their website.

Also, are they really making their own Speedster bodies in Southern California?
(Message Edited 9/14/2003 7:56:46 PM)

I was under the impression that the tube frame speedsters such as the
IM had a more wider footroom up front as opposed to the VW pan which angles in towards the pedals. My left foot is always trying to find a comfortable spot to plant. Maybe this is what Chuck refers to.

BD

I'm sure that you're right, Bill. The Specialty Autoworks (SAW) speedsters are tube framed cars also, and have substantially more room in the footwell than pan-based cars. They (SAW cars, at least) also have a tunnel with looks like the original, which makes the car even more of a "fooler" than the cars built on a VW chassis. The cars will also have the correctly placed emergency brake handle. No, I'm not getting paid to say these things.

Porsche 356 chassis were quite a bit different from VW pan chassis, therefore while the exterior Porsche Speedster body contours may be a correct replication, the inside of the replicas had to be tailored to fit the shortened VW pan, so yeah, there are some differences.

You can ask any of the builders to build your car with a "dead pedal" for your left foot - not original but should have been.

Bill.

Your comments about left foot space deficiencies echo my experiences also. I wonder if anyone has ever come up with a left foot thingey for our pan cars? I find over a longer distance I am always shifting the left leg around trying to find the ideal position. Usually end up with the knee right under my left arm. I am 6'2" so maybe only taller people have this problem. Like to hear if anybody has fabricated a "dead" foot rest.

Bruce

Bill, and Bruce, you can see a close up picture of my soloution to the dead pedal issue. I used a VW clutch pedal, cut to fit, with a little bend for comfort. I then cut a flap in the carpet, cleaned the area, and used stainless pop rivets, and JB weld to secure. Then lay the flap of carpet back over the base of the pedal and glue with 3M cement. Check it out in my file CARUMBA 356. Eddie

Eddie,

Sounds like what I need! Will look at your shots. Do you have some new Speedster shirts? I was gone for about 2 1/2 weeks and seems like you had mentioned some new shirts coming.

Maybe we can get together this fall for a cruise before the weather turns to crap.

Thanks, Bruce

Hey guys, sometimes (not very often) it's great to be 5'8".

Dave

Dennis,

Where are you located - on the left coast, the right coast or somewhere in between?

If on the left coast and you want a Speedster in running condition, there is a Speedster for sale in the classified section of this site. The guy sent pictures at my request because my brother was interested and it sounds like he is flexible on price. The car is sharp and appears to be complete and ready-to-roll although they always seem to need some work. Look for "2003 CMC For Sale". Ask him for photos and see if it interests you. This doesn't answer your comparison question but I thought the car at least looked "buy-able" depending on what you are looking for.

If on the right coast or maybe even in between (and everyone will be hearing more about this over the next couple of weeks), we're having a Mid-Atlantic Speedster Meet in Maryland on October 25 (see the "Events" section). We currently have 20 owners who are interested in attending and based on current make-up that translates to 2 JPS, 9 Vintage, 3 Intermeccanica, 5 CMC, 1 Beck and a couple of others still on the fence. A good chance, as George suggests for a "side by side" comparison.

Good luck.

Bruce, I'm confused with the right and left (and they are waaaayyy too big to mark with a simple 'L' or 'R'like my shoes) coasts, facing Canada or Mexico?
MM

Dave,
Less is more, right?
John H. (Soon to be Troll-sized)
65 1/2" and declining

Bruce, the next batch of speedster t shirts is a month or two off still. They will be ash gray shirts with the cars on them. Let me know if you're in my neck of the woods, I'll by the first round. Eddie

Doh. On maps left is west...

Not if the map is held upside down...

Something I discovered on my recent 2,000 mile run from LA to Nashville; while cruising the interstate for hours without need to shift - if I took off my left shoe I could stretch out my left leg with my foot against the front wall of the cockpit, behind the clutch pedal - couldn't get it back there with the shoe on. It was quite comfortable. Of course this is only good for long cruising mode, not practical for much shifting- but you don't have much chance to rest your left foot then anyway. What was uncomfortable was holding my right foot in 'cruise control' position for hours!

Back to Dennis's original question; I almost bought a used IM from John Steele that he was refurbishing, somebody else beat me to it. I don't doubt that I would have been just as pleased buying the car from John as the one I ended up with. Had a few phone conversations with him - he is very informative and a pleasure to talk with. I have the impression from others on this site that John has a great reputation.

Does anyone make a cruise control for the speedster?

John:

In most cases less could be but more. It all depends on how effective you are with what you have.

ps - not only am I 5'8" but I'm also well on my way to being bald... aint life a b@tch sometimes.

Dave

Re cruise control, I had kind of back handed mentioned that to John Steele when he was building my new car. I don't think I got an answer but a cruise control would be kind of nice on those long Interstate runs. Speaking of being 5'8" and balding my wife says I may be 6'2" but I lost some of that height when the floor caught all my falling hair.
I look at it as an advantage, easier to get in and out the Speedster when the top is up, just grease the 'ol head and in you go.Bruce

Dave,
Roger that, your post. I plan to keep my full head of hair. It may keep me from declining even more. Getting older and being less flexible can also make getting into and out of the cockpit a challenge.