Hi all!
My name is Lars from Oslo Norway and I have a confession to make.. I think I´ve got the itch. And its spreading. Caught my self watching engines revving on the CB Performance youtube channel yesterday, maybe a sign of someone who has some kind of fever, where the only cure is something that looks like the attached photos.
Been lurking around here for some weeks now and you seem like a lively bunch with lots of great advice and plenty of silly/enjoyable thread derailing, so Im jumping in.
Im seriously considering getting a 356 speedster replica. I have seen a couple for sale in Norway over the last years that I have been sleeping on, but the more I think about it the more I want something custom, so Im considering getting one built. One that looks like the attached, maybe with dual racing mirrors and a LeMans style fuel filler. Im not after getting all the details close to the original, more a fan of the outlaw side of things.
Since I live in Oslo this will be a seasonal sunny day weekend picnic racer. Probably wont drive more than 2-3000Km a year, although Im not going to underestimate the amount of excuses I will make to take it out. I consider my driving pretty active so I want something that is lively and responsive to "race" around the country side.
The rumours says that it is nearly impossible to import kit-cars to Norway these days. Importing something that is built from the ground up with a brand new frame is probably impossible so I have to base it on a VW donor car. Im checking that out with the authorities.. I imagine a process like this:
1 Visit a US-based replica builder and talk/drive speedsters.
2 It the itch persists, head back to Norway and buy a 1969/70 VW Beetle with Norwegian license plates
3 Strip it down to the bare chassis
4 Ship that to USA for 356 replication
5 Get i back to Norway for approvement.
6 Haul ass around the countryside
7 Grin
8 Repeat 6 and 7
Regarding mechanical skills, I have close to no experience with wrenching on cars. Me and my dad will probably handle the stripping of the chassis. He has welding skills but I think I will let the pros do it.
So based on this restricted knowledge I think I need:
- WV based chassis. Strengthened?
- Good brakes
- Engine ala CB Performance 2109cc / 2165cc with matching transaxle. Overkill?
So these are just a few decisions. They might be based on way to little info.
What other decisions would I need to make?
Based on the outlined needs and constraints, what are other considerations / questions I need to as myself?
How many steps in the process am I missing?
There are several builders out there. From your experience, what are theirs strengths?
Theres that itch again! : ) Any help is greatly appreciated
-Lars