Researching Coupe build, I got plenty of time.

MN isn't far from Bremen IN home of Beck/Special Edition and Cary Hines.  They have just started producing a 356 Coupe.  There is a thread here with pictures.  AC (in MN?) and heat will push you to water cooled and the Subaru engine is ideal for that.  AT is also doable.  It would be worth a trip there to view SE'd a modular concept where they use a sub cradle to hold the engine.  They do a tube frame and at least for Speedsters/Spyders do a roller.

JPS does a VW pan based coupe.

Only other coupe kit available from CA and MX.

Try

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/cl...etail.php?id=2116471

 http://kitmanmotors.com/kitman-motors-356a-coupe/

 

IMHO, only two viable alternatives:

1) Turn Key from Special Edition (but it’s a ways off and I think you want DIY)

2) Kit from Vintage

https://www.vintagespyders.com/vintage-pre-a-coupe/

In the past, JPS would not sell a kit, not sure that I’d go there anyway.
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Don’t forget Greg Leach at Vintage Motorsports and their pre-A bent-window Coupe.  They’re all currently pan-based but you might be able to work something out.  I believe the Beck, Vintage Motorsports, and JPS cars are all that is available in any sort of state of completion.

EDIT: Looks like Tom and I were typing simultaneously.

MX one - maybe just a bad camera? Looks like a VW Saab?  Maybe it's just the color.

https://www.musclecarcorp.com/porsche356replicas.htm

Found them on the web some time ago, can't remember what the talk was about.

http://kitmanmotors.com/

Another one I heard about is https://www.facebook.com/rafael.albiter

Haven't heard anything for sometime.

Ok folks, we got a real builder here!!!

I just looked through Patrick's Cobra build threads and Holy CARP!!!  Now I see why you want to make your own frame.  Niiiiice!!!!!  I can't wait to watch this one come together.  Talk to the manufacturers listed above and see what they can work out.

Carey Hine (@chines1) or Greg Leach (@VSpyder) should be able to come up with something that will work for you.

This is recent post from SE, if you start feeling a little lazy 😉


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I too looked at his build page - which was why I recommended a trip to SE - just to see how SE does the modular engine cradle.  That said both the front and rear hunks on a Subaru are unboltable modules.  I think that is what SAS uses as basis for their infrequent builds - hence why the engine is in the rear seat - so the trans can still be used.  Being in MN - he can go a step further and use the full AWD Subaru suspension (brakes/ABS/etc). 

Spent some time looking thru the forums, from what I gather these coupe builds are fairly new to the game. And the builders are holding back on showing how they are going about their builds. Maybe I can draw out some info from them ( I know they are on the forums) I'm still a ways out on the start of my project like I said "I got lots of time". Thinking next spring I take a drive out to Beck/Special Edition and talk to them about Stuff and Things.

After that I may go out and pick me up a drive line donor, disassemble and rebuild the lot to get it ready for mocking up a chassis. Just wondering does SE mold their own bodies or are they getting them elsewhere. Also read something about SE making one with Transverse KIA Power, I would really like to see some pics of that one.

Patrick

SE makes their own bodies and the coupe mold is brand new. I happened to be in Bremen, IN and saw them making it.

Never heard of one with transverse KIA.


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The Automobile Article that Mike M. reference in another thread talked about Chuck Beck's C Coupe that had a KIA Soul engine and Kia automatic transmission - mounted amid-ship.  Said the combo was like 5" shorter than a 4 cylinder Subaru engine in same mid-configuration.  The Kia does have a transverse 4 cyl engine with 130-160 hp - plus there is a turbo version. The article also said his Coupe was 5" bigger. (I might be off on the 5's - I passed the magazine on). 

I can get you the Coupe body and glass you are seeking.

If you want to contact me off the forum, I can share what I have done with photos of my personal Mid engine Subie Coupe. It should be profiled in the next issue of Reincarnation Nation magazine. Let me know. Glad to help out.

Chris Kleber DDS

www.kitmanmotors.com

(see site for  356A Coupe body , subchassis,& custom tube Chassis)

personal e mail..... chris@klebers.com

kitmanmotors.c@gmail.com

691.889.8337 cell or 844-356-0356

The Beck Coupe is 3" longer, but it's spread throughout the body so that it is not noticeable.  It is also a couple of inches wider in the rear, allowing for a wider track.  While they are making the car look like a 356C, the chassis is designed for handling, so they are willing to sacrifice some correctness for performance.

Yes, the Kia-powered car will be Chuck's personal ride.  It sounds like he's setting it up to be a daily driver.  Hey, at 80+ if he wants an automatic, he can certainly have one.

Hey, since he builds them himself from nothing and always has, he can—and always could—have whatever the hell he wants. 

edsnova posted:

Hey, since he builds them himself from nothing and always has, he can—and always could—have whatever the hell he wants. 

Sound's like my kind of guy......... Maybe someday I will get to interact with him.  With all the enthusiasm I'm getting here sounds like I may need to start sooner or you all might turn on me. I like unique and I love to push the purists as close if not over the edge. Hell I built a resto-mod Cobra, granted I did not cut up a real one but  I got a lot of "but they didn't look like that" from the copy cat crowd. Shipping a body from Cali might be a deterrent but I haven't made any decisions as of yet. I do like the idea of a slightly larger body to hide stuff in. I think you could quite easily stuff a small compact transverse 4Cly in there and if I could find one that has the exhaust out the rear of the head even better.

Still just a sponge soaking up info and ideas into the big old bag of stuff.

Patrick

Patrick - You’ll find this group also loves “unique.”  Not to mention “crazy” and occasionally “ill advised.”

You did an amazing thing with the Cobra build and we are all waiting to see what you can do with a coupe.  Ya know, a VW GTI transverse engine could be cool, and would keep it German.

"VW GTI transverse engine could be cool"

Didn't we see Henry do this in a speedster shown at Carlisle a few years back ?

1.8T audi or vw engines were done by IM in the past as crate engines. 

But not mid-mounted and transverse.  Turbo, 220 hp, and 6-speed.  Mmmm....

Here's coup body (assume MX build) for $5500.  

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/cl...etail.php?id=2207843