Hey Phil,
Heading out to Cali / LA in November for a USC game and visit. If I get a chance I'll try to stop by Anaheim and Vintage to see if I can get a few pic's of your build.
Meanwhile, I thought I'd paint and drill out my wiper arms to match my seats and e-brake handle.
To lighten them up so I can keep up with 550's like yours. 
Pete 
Pete your car looks awesome. When I get my car you need to come out to Cville. Or maybe we can meet up near Sperryville. But you've got to come out to the mountains.
DARN...those seats look cool but CANNOT be comfortable...? is that to keep weight of car down....the spartan spyder ? NO cushioning at all?
Banzai Pipeline posted:DARN...those seats look cool but CANNOT be comfortable...? is that to keep weight of car down....the spartan spyder ? NO cushioning at all?
Because: hard case.
Very, very cool.
I hope that you have some towels or something to cover them with whenever you park in the sun. SIZZLE!
Stan Galat posted:Banzai Pipeline posted:DARN...those seats look cool but CANNOT be comfortable...? is that to keep weight of car down....the spartan spyder ? NO cushioning at all?
Because: hard case.
Very, very cool.
? sorry I'm so dumb..but do NOT quite understand?
They have built in heaters .... sunshine 
If it were me I would plan a trip to shakedown the car then make a list of what you want done... and be there while they do it for those things that need to be RE-verified then fly back home and have the car delivered by covered transport. my 2¢
IaM-Ray posted:If it were me I would plan a trip to shakedown the car then make a list of what you want done... and be there while they do it for those things that need to be RE-verified then fly back home and have the car delivered by covered transport.
My exact thoughts.
Banzai,
All Stan is saying is that, for some owners, the cool factor outweighs the comfort factor.
Now this would up the cool factor on those seats.
Jim Kelly posted:Banzai,
All Stan is saying is that, for some owners, the cool factor outweighs the comfort factor.
GOT IT....my speedster seats are NOT at all as comfy as ROADSTER seats but in spirit of a 2.7 SIX speedster, ROADIE seats would be a NO-NO SNAFU....
James, very cool.
I have my original SE/Beck FG set of cushions they fit great and I can remove them easily. However, these aluminum seats were hand built by Chris Runge and very comfortable without the pads. I think of them as car art and like to show them anyway. They also really don't get hot as they reflect the sun. They do get cold on cold days though.
Pete
Banzai Pipeline posted:Jim Kelly posted:Banzai,
All Stan is saying is that, for some owners, the cool factor outweighs the comfort factor.
GOT IT....my speedster seats are NOT at all as comfy as ROADSTER seats but in spirit of a 2.7 SIX speedster, ROADIE seats would be a NO-NO SNAFU....
Well it depends on your body style some seats are better than others... and if it is a town car then it does not matter but if you want to drive for 12 hours.... get recaros, they handle it.
IaM-Ray posted:Banzai Pipeline posted:Jim Kelly posted:Banzai,
All Stan is saying is that, for some owners, the cool factor outweighs the comfort factor.
GOT IT....my speedster seats are NOT at all as comfy as ROADSTER seats but in spirit of a 2.7 SIX speedster, ROADIE seats would be a NO-NO SNAFU....
Well it depends on your body style some seats are better than others...
Cant drive for more than an HOUR in Hawaii or you end up in the PACIFIC
I might need prozac or Crown Royal to live on an island.
IaM-Ray posted:I might need prozac or Crown Royal to live on an island.
Its freakin HEAVEN....when you are an ALPHA BURNOUT from NYC...the escape is amazing although I had to get adjusted to the fresh air. All you need is T-shirts, FLIP FLOPS, and CABLE TV. The ladies wear almost NOTHING and its pure Paradise. But beauty is in the EYE so Crown Royal and/or Prozac it is!
Love that car, and the seats!
550 Phil posted:*LongFella posted:That is going to be a fun little car!
Gives me an excuse to stop by Greg's shop and say I... I do need to order some parts for my Coupe build...
Greg says he is picking up the engine on Monday. If you see a silver spyder with Capri blue stripes I'd appreciate some pics. Going to try to fly out to LA when the car is complete. Maybe I can meet some of you Cali guys.
I will make sure I take some pics for you 
550 Phil posted:IaM-Ray posted:If it were me I would plan a trip to shakedown the car then make a list of what you want done... and be there while they do it for those things that need to be RE-verified then fly back home and have the car delivered by covered transport.
My exact thoughts.
@IaM-Ray I am going to politely challenge you on your statement.
Greg will 100% shake it down and make sure it is solid. I believe the rest will be more personal preference and "feel" for @550 Phil when "dialing" it in. He is going to get a SOLID and well built beast that will pucker the neighbors "..." when he drives by...
No offense taken... the more the builder does the shakedown the better the car that is delivered... It is good to hear that their work is stellar. I do think that there are some things that can be more finally tuned to his preference when the owner is there.
In defense of Ray's suggestion (and please take this in a spirit of friendship)-- you live very near Greg's shop. If you want a tweak here or there post-delivery, it's a matter of popping in after work or on a Saturday. Phil lives on the far side of the country. Once the car rolls on the transport, it's likely the last time Greg will ever see it.
Getting the "feel" just right is very subjective. What Greg likes may not be what Phil likes, and vice versa. A pre-delivery inspection, no matter who built the car-- Greg, Carey, Henry-- is just a good idea. It's not meant as a slam on anybody.
Well said Stan, being close to the builder is the optimum!
Yes pre delivery inspection is always a good idea. On both of my cars from Greg there are small things (mostly cosmetic) that I would have had him do before delivery which were difficult after I received the cars. Whether I would have been knowledgeable enough to figure out that my 2nd car (suby) had a worn out engine with leaky cylinders and blow by who knows. The creep who built the engine probably would not have given my money back anyway.
Picture this. I go for my first vigorous drive in my suby spyder. Getting on it on back roads. It blows out 3 quarts if oil through the crank case breathers. Had to walk 5 miles to and from a small convenience store to buy 5 quarts of oil. Took 3 to full and I limped it home. After complete engine rebuild with new short block I figured out the car would not cool with radiator in the back for aggressive driving. Sold the car within 12 months of getting it after waiting 2.5 years for it.
Then I built a Caterham. Life goes on.
But yes I hope this is finally that perfect reliable suby spyder that I had hoped for back in 2003. And I would like to see and drive it before it ships.
Phil,
I'm thinking this one will be for the win.
IaM-Ray posted:Well said
Very well said. I do forget (sometimes) that I am a close 30 mins away from his shop and I have been known to just "hang out" there. I think Greg calls it loitering...
As long as Greg does not move to another town ... your good
Whoever drilled out those wiper arms wasn't very serious- could have put way more holes in them. Amateur!
*LongFella posted:IaM-Ray posted:Well said
Very well said. I do forget (sometimes) that I am a close 30 mins away from his shop and I have been known to just "hang out" there. I think Greg calls it loitering...
I've found I'm always welcome near closing time with a 6 pack
ALB posted:Whoever drilled out those wiper arms wasn't very serious- could have put way more holes in them. Amateur!
*LongFella posted:IaM-Ray posted:Well said
Very well said. I do forget (sometimes) that I am a close 30 mins away from his shop and I have been known to just "hang out" there. I think Greg calls it loitering...
I've found I'm always welcome near closing time with a 6 pack
I usually bring over a selection
I have learned that Greg's shop/body guys like Heineken and his welder likes Budweiser. 
Just want to emphasize that Greg Leach builds a fantastic car. He obviously does or I wouldn't be buying my third (and last I hope) Vintage Spyder. I just had bad engines in both cars. I do remember when those cars were running well and dialed in. There is no better feeling.
I "might" loiter around the time he does the shake down cruise. I'm still torn on engine choice for the coupe I am building...
*LongFella posted:I "might" loiter around the time he does the shake down cruise. I'm still torn on engine choice for the coupe I am building...
If I may offer a suggestion:
The whole point of a coupe is to be a bit more civilized. If not, then there isn't a point. As such, I'd recommend going with a subaru and stock ECU. Real heat, "jump-in-and-go" reliability, etc.
It makes sense to me, and I'm a diehard retro-grouch.
In a coupe you need Vintage Air A/C and heat and a real ventilation system or you will be fighting condensation on the screen for sure. Phil's engine would be a great combo so Stan I second your opinion on ease of use in a coupe.
I couldn't get a coupe up in my neck of the woods so I while I was forced to experience top down driving for the first time in my life due to unavailability... I grew to like it top down but who knows if a coupe is ever in my future it would have to be Subie powered.
Is it a sad day when folks pick the CIVILITY of SUBARU over the precision and heritage of STUTTGART? Do I throw out my Lederhosen mit mein PDK Beer Mug(LOL)
*LongFella posted:I "might" loiter around the time he does the shake down cruise. I'm still torn on engine choice for the coupe I am building...
Has Greg worked out the space frame for the Coupe? And can you go bumperless with a suby and radiators in the front? I'm assuming Greg is still using VW torsion bar suspension in the front and swing axle in the rear. Thinking suby outlaw coupe. Not for a while. But I'm thinking.
Stan Galat posted:*LongFella posted:I "might" loiter around the time he does the shake down cruise. I'm still torn on engine choice for the coupe I am building...
If I may offer a suggestion:
The whole point of a coupe is to be a bit more civilized. If not, then there isn't a point. As such, I'd recommend going with a subaru and stock ECU. Real heat, "jump-in-and-go" reliability, etc.
It makes sense to me, and I'm a diehard retro-grouch.
Stan all I can say is SAY IT AIN'T SO.
For him, Phil. Not for me.
Stan Galat posted:*LongFella posted:I "might" loiter around the time he does the shake down cruise. I'm still torn on engine choice for the coupe I am building...
If I may offer a suggestion:
The whole point of a coupe is to be a bit more civilized. If not, then there isn't a point. As such, I'd recommend going with a subaru and stock ECU. Real heat, "jump-in-and-go" reliability, etc.
It makes sense to me, and I'm a diehard retro-grouch.
Don't tell Rod Emory a coupe is supposed to be civilized.
Isn't a coupe made just to give a stiffer body? Nothing beats top-down motoring, unless you're susceptible to skin cancer. But aren't we all?
And back to the"Phil's car" channel. Looking forward to seeing that thing in the flesh at Carlisle 2018, Phil!
And Phil, is right, keep it as simple as you can. I know how easily things get complicated!
