SAS Coupe

On Aug 28th, I visited Specialty Auto-Sports to check progress on my replica outlaw (flared fender) coupe that Steve is working on. This will be the first coupe that he has built and includes many of the configuration improvements incorporated in the recent Speedsters and Cabriolets. I found Steve and his people busily trying to complete the black turbo car and it should be roadworthy for road testing after this weekend. I had not been to SAS for awhile and the improvements he has made to the overall configuration are impressive. The coupe has to be assembled in a slightly different order than the Cabriolets and must go to body and paint with the chassis attached. The need for patience with SAS remains.

It never even occured to me that someone would order a coup with flares, but I really like it.

Will my next car be a coup....no....but it is really cool.

Charles, email me stevenorkathy@msn.com I would like to talk to you about faux ostrich. I tried your other email and it just bounces.

Holy Moly, Charles!!

I didn't know you have an Atlantic Coupe Replica!!!

Who makes it, Steve??

Take a look at Ralph Lauren's original here: http://www.theta.net/nichols/ralph_lauren_collection/1938_Bugatti_Type_57SC_Atlantic_Coupe/index.html

gn

Yes, I have owned it for several years but it was not configured very accurately when I purchased it. I understand that the fiberglass body was actually pulled from the Ralph Lauren car before he purchased and restored it (the black one). Its provenence is not known. I saw it on eBay a fews years back at a dealer in Costa Mesa, CA and negotiated a buy. Steve at SAS has never worked on it. It was restored in 2005 and 2006 by Carlton Jenkins in NC. Eric Koux, now living in the south of France, believes it may be one of his earlier fiberglass bodies. It is powered by a 1960 3.8 liter Jaguar engine.

Charles...so is it only Steve, Diane and Henry at your residence now??? NICE!!!!! ~Esther

It is ONLY Steve (Jaguar XK120DHC), Diane (250 GTO), Henry (IM Roadster) and Mona Lisa (Bugatti Atlantic). Otherwise, we are pretty normal.

You got to love that exhaust....that is really different. Makes dual exhaust look like a joke.

The Bugattis were a family of artists. Even their engineering and mechanical parts were works of art. I suppose you could describe the Atlantic as a bit quirky. It is useable and not a trailer queen. I try and drive it at least weekly. I must admit that the rarity and possible value of the car makes you drive somewhat defensively. It is outfitted similar to the Ralph Lauren car, complete with Soviet MIG rally clock. I have only entered it in one show and it took 'best of show'. The ergonomics (or lack thereof) and RHD makes my wife steer away from driving it. She still prefers the IM Roadster.

There has been some progress on the Suby-powered SAS Outlaw coupe. I hope to see some of you at Carlisle in May with the car. No promises ...

Charles,

I REALLY love the look of your flared fender coupe!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/TeamEvil/375622a3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/TeamEvil/95222f61.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/TeamEvil/71c9042a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/TeamEvil/9e675f2c.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/TeamEvil/2e302ccb.jpg

Obviously . . .



Have you any more pictures that you can post?

I have no better pictures at the moment. The Outlaw coupe color is 2008 Ford Edge Creme Brule. The wheels are from a Mercury Milan. Last week SAS was working on the wiring, dash and A/C unit. Unlike other SAS 356 cars, the chassis and drive train were installed when the car went to paint. You can see the mid-engine configuration in the posted picture.

Sweeeeeeet! Hope to see you at Carlisle - in the coupe.

Wooo Hooo we're on a roll, I saw a picture of mine on the dolly ready for the new painter. I pulled out of the painter that had family problems and will get it done by the guy that painted Charles's coupe. I also saw pic's of another Speedie, powder blue gorgeous.

Wooo Hooo, indeed! Nolan, that's my blue speedster in some of the photos with Charles' coupe. Maybe it's time to start my own thread?

Here's three photos, each of which catch some of that lovely coupe. And one of which includes a nice shot of what I assume to be your cabriolet.

Two painted suby tubs in the shop for assembly, hopefully yours and others right behind. Very encouraging. Fingers crossed that things are picking up speed in Knoxville.

Can't wait!

Ya Waaa Hoo is right Paul and Charles, wheels are rolling. Though it's hard to see but Charles's coupe has rain channels above the windows, something the other coupe replicas left off. And boy does that paint ever shine!

I think this picture shows the water channels better. More importantly, that's Nolan's Cabriolet in the background just before it left for the painter's shop last week. What color is it going to be?

The dash looks neat. Is it an original metal one grafted in or are you duplicating the stock look in fiberglass? Tough to tell from the pics. The drip rails are also a SWEET detail!

Going with stock 356/stock styled gauges, or Outlaw fashion? Steering wheel plans, etc.? Seats? LOVE to hear the details.

VERY NICE so far ! ! !

I changed to the Silver and Blue combo like the one on the SAS website. Couldn't deal with other painter's problems and delays.

TeamEvil, I think we are dealing with two cars here - the Creme Brule Coupe and the Meissen Blue Speedster. The Speedster dash is molded in fiberglass with the rest of the unit. The Coupe uses the molded fiberglass dash that SAS uses in the Cabriolets. This dash is in fiberglass as well and added in later. I should have some pictures of the dash shortly. SAS uses the Chinese lookalike gauges similar to what VS uses but does make some modifications to the innards to make them read correctly under quite diffent circumstances.

Interesting! Steve at SAS has been working on my flared 356 for 3 years! Have any of you seen this car? (See photo). I have been wanting to pay SAS a visit but have been unable due to health issues. I can't wait to get my car!!!!!

Car was at Carlisle in 95% finished state. Still a lot of detail to be addressed. I would like to see it again when finished. The dash was spectacular, but rear quarter windows and window trim need some work as do the gaps on doors, hood, and deck lid. Still it is an awesome car in the making.

That car looks plain bad*ss!

I like it, and I like Tom's coupe as well.

It does have some fit/trim issues, but I heard Steve pushed REALLY hard to get it there this weekend, so I understand it's not done yet. Also, since it is the first, it will take some time to find and fix all the little things.

Soon all the waiting will be a memory. Just don't expect any of these cars to be trouble-free, they are hand-built and require time for all the little Gremlins to be sent down the road!

BTW, I like the color and wheel choices, good job.

Diane and I enjoyed meeting all the folks at Carlisle. We had a pleasant drive both ways. I appreciate the many positive comments concerning the SAS coupe. I can report that it rained quite hard at Carlisle and on the way back and we had no leaks. When we off loaded the coupe at SAS this morning, the inside and trunks were bone dry. I really wish we had had time to put all the trim items on the coupe but we just ran out of time. Nevertheless, I though it presented itself well. I am particularly fond of the interior color combination. The driving I did at Carlisle was the first time it had been driven at all. The brakes were a bit spongy and need to be bled again. The 2.2 Suby engine ran well with more than adequate power. Carlisle was indeed a great adventure for us.

Charles, I tried to email you but it got sent back to me. I have several questions I would like to ask you about your coupe. Could you please email me at: bobros@ptd.net

Thanks

Bob, I have emailed you directly. I will try and answer all of your questions. Because of the rush to Carlisle, I have not spent a great deal of time with the car but it seemed to drive OK with plenty of power in and around Carlisle. I can confirm that the coupe did not leak under some pretty severe weather conditions. It is now at SAS for completion.

I dropped the coupe off at SAS in Knoxville upon returning from Carlisle. Here are the latest pictures from SAS. These reflect installation of the front and rear deck latches, brake adjustments, and a third brake light among other things. The Suby computer is beginning to smooth out the engine operation with no OBDII codes. The car has not yet been buffed and polished and the logos still need to be applied.

That third brake light is not only very cool, its also stylish and gorgeous. Very nice!

I can't wait to see the finished product.

-Jeff

I too am anxious to get my hands on the Creme Brule coupe but Steve wants to put some mileage on the car to make sure the mechanicals are OK. BTW, the third brake light is embedded in the body and with the clear coat applied is flush and smooth. It also indicates a turn when the directional signal is used. I like the configuration flexibility of the 'Outlaw' format.

One of the coolest things about an SAS car (and it's Subaru powerplant) was demonstrated by Chris when he helped at Carlisle by backing Charles'' coupe off of the trailer.

He got in, didn't touch a thing but the starter, it cranked for less than a second and started idling smoothly. Wow....

Damn fuel injection!!!!

gn

The SAS Creme Brule coupe is complete and being driven frequently in Newnan, GA. I will report on performance and/or deficiencies from time to time. We are excited to be the owners of such a unique car.

Way cool Charles! Happy motoring.
Hoss

Gorgeous! Happy Trails and many many SEGs!

That is an absolutely beautiful car, Charles. Congratulations. Will you be joining us on the Tail of the Dragon run in October? You awfully close, and I'm sure you'd enjoy it.

We are working on a 'Dragon' scenario to have the car reviewed and serviced by SAS around the same time. I will let you know what we decide. We are certainly interested in participating.

Charles,
I saw the photos of your coupe going through a car wash.
Well?
Gorgeous car!

Beautiful car! Congrats on a well thought out ride! I hope you have many happy miles with it!

Charles -

I saw your car as Chris N. was helping back it off the trailer at Carlisle. It is certainly some serious 356 eye-candy and certainly drew a crowd at the fairgrounds!

Here's wishing you many miles of cruising pleasure in your awesome coupe!

Peace - Out!

Terry, As you probably have figured out, SAS had some concerns after all of the 'discussion' on the SOC concerning the 'rising damp' in the JPS coupes. Even though I assured Steve at SAS that the weather was pretty bad at Carlisle and there was no leakage, he insisted on finding a worst-case condition. We figured a high pressure car wash might offer a significant challenge. There was absolutely no leakage.

I suggested that perhaps we call the car wash event a Christening of the coupe. Steve chose the term 'baptism'. Either way the car seems to be doing well, has plenty of power from the 165 HP Subaru four-cam engine, and a nice throaty sound from the exhaust. All systems are 'go' at the moment but custom cars can prove finicky. But then, is that not part of the adventure?

Thanks for the new screensaver Charles. I will say it again...Bad A**!!!