Need Input -- On choices and spending my money

Hawk: You asked why I bought a SAS built car. I had previously built a Perry 550 Spyder, which is as close to a Speedster as you can get. Low windshield, hard seats, rear engine, VW suspension and fun to drive. As I aged, the fun diminished and the tweaking, squeaking and rattles became a nuisance and I longed for something as fun but not as primitive as my Spyder. I read an article about Hoss's car in a Kit Car magazine and was intrigued by it's description and performance. My wife and I decided to take a road trip to the Smokey Mountains and swinging by SAS we check out the facility. I was greeted by Steve, and Hoss was there with the first of the SAS Subi powered cars. To be truthful I was not impressed with the shop, a dust covered two-man operation more likened to my own garage with tools, parts and "what ever" strewn around. However, amid the disarray a diamond sat nearly completed in the center of the garage while the shells of other cars sat outside curing in the sun. Hoss then took me for a ride in "Redman". The gentle roar and acceleration pushing me into the fully upholstered seat brought a huge SEG and I was hooked. The quality of build, road manners and overall looks out weighed the looks of the garage. But this was my choice and may not be for others unwilling or unable to wait the time it takes to build a unique custom made car. The options ranging from automatic top, power brakes, sophisticated security system and others innovations may not be for purists, but I have a car that I can hop in and drive to the corner store or 1200 miles away to Carlisle without any more thoughts than if I were driving my VW Touraeg.

 

If you're looking for comfort you might consider a JPS or CCW coupe.

Joe, I just don't want your hopes dashed...for more disappointment, wiki her.

Hawk: I had a speedster built in summer 2011 by Vintage Speedsters.  My experience has been bitter sweet so far. The car arrived in August and it was immediately evident that the car would need to be repainted.  There were numerous fisheyes and runs in the paint.  After some discussion, Kirk at Vintage agreed to pay for most of the repaint.  The car is now out of warranty and I have on-going issues with leaking transaxle and troublesome gearbox. My mechanic is recommending completely replacing transaxle.  I had the car built with the upgraded ($450.00) 3:88 transmission and 1915 cc engine.  The Engine looks and performs like new, the same can not be said for the gearbox/transaxle. 

 

On the upside, the interior fit and finish is excellent, and the engine, after some adjusting of the timing, runs great.  

Triviasteve...thats scary, i am building one with them now...

What have you done with the gearbox?  I had that problem with my 07 VS and it turned out to be a bad seal at the flywheel.  Kirk covered most of it.  The mechanic had to grind something to repair the flywheel and use new seals.  Upgrade your shifter?  It will change your life. 

 

You can order custom length from VintageSpeed.  Sometimes the CSP Shifter is too short.

 

  http://store.vintagespeed.com.tw/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=9&flypage=garden_flypage.tpl&product_id=51&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=80&vmcchk=1&Itemid=80

Hi Rich most people don't think of AZ and snow but we have a ski area by the house too. The cars are three season at best -- April thru Oct/Nov. But I really do love the 4 seasons. Come to think of it we do have 6. I forgot mud and wind as the transition period between Fall/winter and Spring/Summer.

 

I am a little confused by your post above. What does WIKI mean and who is "her".

 

Thanks

 

Joe

Joe, a little joke was interjected earlier in this post about Kelly McGinness. I suggested to everyone to do a Google Image search for Kelly, or do a "Wiki"pedia (the online encyclopedia) for more info. Seems some here are unaware of where Kelly's looks and likes are these days...just a little of our SOC humor thrown in from time to time that gets some of the more serious members uptight...we're supposed to stay on topic, no straying off the path!!!!!!

"My first inclination was to go with Intermeccanica,but it seems like were talking $50 and up, and if I'm spending that much--I might as go real and just add another $40 to the mix--because, I should get the money out of it. My best friend has a true 59' Speedster with less than 25,000 miles. I have driven it numerous times and have always been disappointed with its performance, ride, and creature comforts."

 

 

As others are putting their likes forward on this thread, I have to say that you won't be disappointed with an Intermeccanica.  As you know, an original Speedster looks great sitting still, but get an IM built the way you want it, and it will meet all your driving needs.

 

 

 

Go Intermeccanica..... Henry is awesome.... You can get a Subi engine and have the car in about 4 to 6 mosincredible awesome to deal with.  The cars are top notch n terms of quality, having owned one previously. You will not be disappointed.... Just my two cents, but I am biased..... Good luck to those on the fence right now on which we to go...

Once again thanks for all the great input. I thought I'd attempt to return your efforts to help me and give you some feedback on my research that may help a newbie. I'm no expert but on the other hand I'm no wet behind the ears kid. That said this is my opinion as I write this so feel free to add or disagree with this. Dialogue always leads to better and more complete knowledge. I'd really love to know what the current Makers feel about this too.

 

Technology Perspective

 

The industry is changing and continues to be on the cusp of some fundamental change. First "kit" and old V/W pan cars still have and always will exist as long as the old timers and future generations keep them running. That does not mean they have a long term viable future in the industry. Using VW frames/pans and engines is getting harder and harder for a lot of reasons. Just to mention a few like fatigue, supply and the biggest limitation is exploring and utilizing modern technolgy and emission issues.

 

That said there seems to be a large sgment of the market that is looking for a new car in the sub $30,000 range that looks cool and has some power. Unfortunately this technology carries with it hidden cost down the road in maintenance and upkeep. I believe this old technology serves this $30,000 segment extremely well from a price perspective. It does this for various reasons. It does not require a great deal of engineering knowledge, integration of new technologies, and eliminates a great deal of the R&D costs which is a big dollar item. 

 

As I surveyed the industry and did my research I noted a couple of trends. First there is a demand for modern 356s out there. This segment of the market wants new, reliable, comfortable cars wraped in the mystic of the 356. Enter the emergence of the modern coach builders and those that are attempting to emerge in this area. One of the first distinguishing thing I noted about this group was their moving into the world of the cabriolet and/or coupe, new technolgy structual frames and pans, modern engines, modern suspension systems (front and rear), rear ends, automatic transmissions, and a real concern for emmissions rather then ways to circumnavigate this issue and attempts to move away from the 1950s and side curtains. I might add those who tried to keep the top down feel have gone to the Cabriolet and the other approach is to move into the Coupe.

 

These changes come at a price. We are now entering the mid-level car in the $35,000 to 40,000 range. Which really in many was is a true hybrid -- old and new. They are a mix of old but I'd say they can be classified as newer frames and bigger engines. 

 

I was going to try and limit this segment to technolgy but I feel it is interesting to note a marketing issue in these two segments above. I am old enough to remember restaurants and car manufactuers who speciallized in selecting from the options menu and pricing each item as an option. Porsche still employs this method. Everthing was added to the base price so when you left the advertised $30,000 car using old technology or hybrid ideas it now is in the $38,000 to $45,000 range depending on your desires.

 

Enter the coachbuilder and the $50,000 to 70,000 car, this segment of the industry is emerging and is attempting to deliver new technogy and modern conveniences while needing to stay under the treshold of a manufacturer. I see a number of current manufactuers in this area. One extremely successful at this, others struggling to meet this criteria from a production standpoint and at least two have set a plan to achieve this level. As you might have guessed this level does not come easy or without significant engineering and manufacturing achievements. It also requires a much higher level of quality control and manufacturing skills and techniques. All of that translate to an increase in costs. Funny you also lose the name identication that so many today associate with companies. It really requires a team.

 

I hope this enhances the understand of a newbie and makes it easier for them to narrow their search based on price point, what they really want in their cars.

 

Thanks

 

Joe

 

PS Perhaps a great roundtable for PA would be "Future trends in the industry and how will your company meet them."

 

 

Nice post.....I too have noticed the coupe trend, cabriolets have been around for several

years.  I'm thinking part of that is comfort........things like roll up windows and decent heat.

 

I know when I was younger the wind in my hair & twisty roads was a thrill & the minimal comforts of a speedster were enough, but as I get older I'm thinking things like..... if it rains, might be nice to have roll up windows & a waterproof top, or both with a good heater in a coupe maybe.  

 

Those of us that had these cars in our youth, or missed having them & always wanted one,  are a bit older now & we are definitely a part of the market. I also know my right seater needs some creature comforts or she won't enjoy the ride, or even get in the car.  

 

So I'm thinking if you're going to spend more $$$ you could get more use out of your ride, a longer driving season, etc. The builders are evolving the market, because there is a demand.