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Hey everyone, I think I'v made my choice and will go for a JPS replica
I d'like to know a little bit more about the problems you guys encountered with your new car, I am living in Europe, it will be a disaster for me if the car is not reliable and if I really need to send the car for repairs...
Could you talk to me about the right behaviour to have with John, I really want to avoid any misunderstanding before ordering the car, and not in the mood to get a car full of surprises
Many thanks for your answers
I d'like to know a little bit more about the problems you guys encountered with your new car, I am living in Europe, it will be a disaster for me if the car is not reliable and if I really need to send the car for repairs...
Could you talk to me about the right behaviour to have with John, I really want to avoid any misunderstanding before ordering the car, and not in the mood to get a car full of surprises
Many thanks for your answers
I would suggest you wait until a used one that has been sorted out becomes available (like Gerd's)
OR,
Have a VERY detailed build sheet to give to John, then find someone who is nearby JPS act as your agent during the build. Your agent will be able to check in periodically to take pictures and email progress details, as well as test drives and shakedown runs to make sure most problems are worked out before your car is shipped.
Make sure that you have a mechanic who understands air cooled engines unless you are mechanically inclined.
John can be a little gruff at times and a little slack on communication, but he's a good guy and responds well if you are calm and objective.
Be realistic in your expectations. The car is value priced. You're going to get a nice car, but it's not an Intermeccanica.
OR,
Have a VERY detailed build sheet to give to John, then find someone who is nearby JPS act as your agent during the build. Your agent will be able to check in periodically to take pictures and email progress details, as well as test drives and shakedown runs to make sure most problems are worked out before your car is shipped.
Make sure that you have a mechanic who understands air cooled engines unless you are mechanically inclined.
John can be a little gruff at times and a little slack on communication, but he's a good guy and responds well if you are calm and objective.
Be realistic in your expectations. The car is value priced. You're going to get a nice car, but it's not an Intermeccanica.
I would buy a used one. one you can reach out and touch, drive. then there are no suprises.
The advice on a used one is really good, as these cars ALWAYS require some sorting out after they're built. Don't expect a new one to be perfect as these are hand-built. If you don't want to deal with the sorting issues, buy a good, low-mileage, used one. If you like the flared style, it would be hard to find a nicer one that Gerd's.
Agree with all Terry said. I visited him every other Saturday for near six months during my build. He has good days and bad days.
He is basically a one man ASSEMBLY shop, with a few part time helpers. He sub-contracts engines, transmissions, upholstery, body and paint, but everything is done to HIS standards. He stands behind anything he delivers.
One Saturday, one of the cars John had previously built drove in with a problem. The current owner had bought the car used, and had never met John. John spent a half hour fixing the problem and didn't charge the owner anything. John simply declared, "It shouldn't have failed". After he left, John looked at me and asked rhetorically, "Do you think that knocked his socks off?" Well, yeah!
After initial delivery, I did return my car to him once, with a list of items. He fixed all of the items, no questions asked. He is an honest business man and stands behind his product.
He is basically a one man ASSEMBLY shop, with a few part time helpers. He sub-contracts engines, transmissions, upholstery, body and paint, but everything is done to HIS standards. He stands behind anything he delivers.
One Saturday, one of the cars John had previously built drove in with a problem. The current owner had bought the car used, and had never met John. John spent a half hour fixing the problem and didn't charge the owner anything. John simply declared, "It shouldn't have failed". After he left, John looked at me and asked rhetorically, "Do you think that knocked his socks off?" Well, yeah!
After initial delivery, I did return my car to him once, with a list of items. He fixed all of the items, no questions asked. He is an honest business man and stands behind his product.
buy mine
hey gerd
I am not into the wide body stuff, nice car though
why do you sell it, troubles with the car?
I am not into the wide body stuff, nice car though
why do you sell it, troubles with the car?
JPS - Go to California to be sure it is sorted BEFORE you ship it to Europe. My JPS is a coupe, so I can't speak to the JPS Speedster. My Speedster is a Beck. If you want a Speedster - go Beck/Special Edition - just my opinion from dealing with both companies.
I might have missed something here, but why wouldn't you want to buy one from Vintage? Most if not all the bodies at JPS are from VS. I'm actually surprised that John didn't charge for that fix.
Hey Bruce,
What do you mean by your post?
All the bodies, you mean the outside of the cars? A bunch of post about VS are clear about the painting problems, and the so so quality of the construction, and I am not into the inside of the car which for my opinion only, are much more respected and built in the JPS's
What do you mean by your post?
All the bodies, you mean the outside of the cars? A bunch of post about VS are clear about the painting problems, and the so so quality of the construction, and I am not into the inside of the car which for my opinion only, are much more respected and built in the JPS's
belgian selling mine as I am having JPS build me an outlaw flared coup.
Bruce you are wrong. JPS buys his shells fom a manufacturer which also Vintage buys from.
I am not sure if this is the same manufacturer that makes the coup for John
JPS and Vintage buy from the same vendors
Bruce you are wrong. JPS buys his shells fom a manufacturer which also Vintage buys from.
I am not sure if this is the same manufacturer that makes the coup for John
JPS and Vintage buy from the same vendors
hey Gerd
do you say that those builder how clearly say on their website that they build eveything on the car, are buying the body shell from someone else????
do you say that those builder how clearly say on their website that they build eveything on the car, are buying the body shell from someone else????
I only know that JPS and Vintage buy from the same vendors. That is why the cars look very similiar. I doubt that the others buy from the same vendors as the body of the others all look different.
In 2001 both Vintage and JPS bought raw, unfinished fiberglass bodies from the same source in Mexico. The environmentalists had driven most of the fabricators (both cars and custom boats) completely out of California and the rest of the U.S., many years prior. It is the fit, finish and paint that may set Kirk and John apart - as both used their own sources for that part of the build. Back then, according to John, he and Kirk cooperated on many things, feeling they operated in slightly different markets. Can't speak to the relationship today.
THEY STILL HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP
JOHN ALWAYS TELLS ME THAT KIRK IS A VERY GOOD FRIEND
JOHN ALWAYS TELLS ME THAT KIRK IS A VERY GOOD FRIEND
Sorry, thought JPS bodies were bought from VS directly...as a "source" had told me. Anyways, good luck!
Hey Gerd,
When are you going to get your flared coupe? You will be the first one, can't wait to see it.
Belgian,
If you are planning to get the speedster John has produced it many many times, so he knows exactly what he needs to do. If you plan to get the coupe, I think he is improving the parts that he uses and the build quality as he builds more cars. I have the 3rd coupe after Tom, and I think I have less problem than he has because he learned a lot building Tom's car and now he has also learned a few things from building mine.
As I understand John ships quite a few cars to Europe, I am not sure if he uses a dealer or not.
As everybody says, these cars are hand built and part of the fun is tinkering with it to suit your liking. Mechanically, I think JPS car are sound. Good luck
When are you going to get your flared coupe? You will be the first one, can't wait to see it.
Belgian,
If you are planning to get the speedster John has produced it many many times, so he knows exactly what he needs to do. If you plan to get the coupe, I think he is improving the parts that he uses and the build quality as he builds more cars. I have the 3rd coupe after Tom, and I think I have less problem than he has because he learned a lot building Tom's car and now he has also learned a few things from building mine.
As I understand John ships quite a few cars to Europe, I am not sure if he uses a dealer or not.
As everybody says, these cars are hand built and part of the fun is tinkering with it to suit your liking. Mechanically, I think JPS car are sound. Good luck