Panhandle Bob posted:If I were having a car built, and it was a perfect world, I would be visiting the builder at crucial points in the build out, chassis completed, body painted and engine install etc., and spend a week driving it near the builder's location to sort it.
Unfortunately, that would mean a lot of money in airline tickets and hotel bills. It's not so much about trust, but about involvement in the process. I'd try real hard not to make the builder nuts.
I am doing exactly as you say Bob. The goal is to not bother him while he's building, answer his questions when he has them, and to be there for the crucial points in the build. ...Whatever he needs. Seat fitting, trim packages, etc. I can and will fly and/or drive to see this car getting built. If I can afford this car, I can afford to fly and see it whenever needed. I will be braking it in for a week around his area (next year). He will then go through it. I will trailer it back to Washington state.
It becomes quite a list spec'ing out a car to your/my personal desires. I want a trick/personal build, yet streamlined so as not to be 'that pain in the ass car'. IE making for a smooth build by the builder.
John at JPS can do a lot of crazy cool stuff. As far as time lines go, the tricker he builds the car, the more time and cost it will be. He had 18 cars in his shop, so its possible you could wait a period of time before your build even starts. Some say he builds on a price point. He has a basic package price, and all the extras do cost you more. The sky is the limit. All the cars at Johns shop have very good quality in my eye. My wife said she would own any one of them! (she even tempted me with his/her cars lol)
I got a spin in a 180 HP Subie Speedster. Let me tell you, it hauls ass. 4 wheel discs bring it down. It felt tight.
I am a positive communicating person... Deposit down!
...hope to see pics as it evolves. Sometimes a lost deal is a blessing....hindsight....but sometimes you need to JUMP IN and hope there's air in the life jacket
