SAS Subi Turbo Coupe

Hi All,

SAS is building an outlaw coupe for me. I will try to learn how to post pics, but I'm not a techie and don't have any interest in becoming one. Below is the build sheet. I have pics of the body almost ready for blocking, and frame is done. Pics to follow soon.

1957 356A Coupe Outlaw

Driveline:
Engine-Subaru Legacy fuel injected DOHC, USA domestic
Turbo 250+HP
mid mounted (46/54 weight bias approx)
Dyno tested and tuned

Transaxle:
Subaru Legacy 5MT Turbo 5-sp manual-
1)3.19, 2) 1.88, 3) 1.30, 4) .97, 5) .74
These gear ratios are very close to the Porsche 915 tranny

Engine management:
OBDII/CAN-bus EPA legal
Cobb Accessport Stage 2 engine management (approx. 315 HP)

Brakes:
4 wheel disc power assisted
Antilock Brakes (ABS)
12.5" ventilated rotors

Build Sheet part 2:

Suspension:
Legacy GT rear w/coil-over adjustable shocks
Legacy GT front w/coil-over adjustable MacPherson struts

Cosmetic:
Body color Porsche stone grey
Single black center racing stripe
Louvered rear deck, Carrer style
HPC coated exhaust components
Dove grey leather upholstery w/black welt & double stitch pleats
Grey Porsche square weave carpet
Coco mats: #53 black/grey
Ruff R390 wheels 17" x 7" black spoke
Tires: Dunlop, Hankook, or Kumho 25" diameter
Silver "outlaw" and "turbo" script badges
Porsche 914 dash gauges
LeCarre Mark 9 steering wheel w/billet adaptor
Billet pedal pads
No bumpers, body trim, or Porsche badges
Black 3" 2-point seat belts
Center single oval exhaust tip
Tinted glass
Black leather hood straps

Comfort stuff:
Bilevel AC-hot water Heat-Defrost w/electronic servos
Power windows
Power remote door locks
Power remote trunk lock
Cruise control
Sun visors
Glove box & 6 map pockets
AM-FM-Ipod, USB, MP3, Stereo radio
Full sound deadening and weather sealing

Safety:
Structural welded tube full surround frame
Steel reinforced doors
Daytime running lights
High intensity discharge (HID) headlights
3rd brakeligh LED flush-mount w/turn signals incorporated
LED tear drop tail lights from CULAYER
Dual Hella air horns
Dual fender mounted Sebring style mirrors
Hella 6" halogen driving lights
16-gallon fuel cell
Reverse lamp
Seat headrests

Plan A is to pick up when completed in Tennessee and drive it back to central California. We'll see how it goes.

Jim.
Are you sure you wouldn't rather have a real one? I don't know what it's costing you, but this is a 1965 356 C sunroof coupe for $37,500. You could pull the engine and stored it for resale later and put a Suby turbo in it. Maybe for even less than the SAS will cost and probably have it a lot sooner too. Just a thought. Anyway congratulations!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-356-356c-1965-Porsche-365C-fully-restored...

Thanks, Troy. If an original would perform like I expect my SAS will, I would do it. I had a few original 50's sports cars back in the day. They are great fun, but their performance is limited to the technology of the times. Even with after market mods on an original, the SAS will outperform any of them. Not just in top speed, but handling, braking, safety, conveniences, etc.

Of course, an original will hold or increase its value, while our replicas won't. At this stage in my life, however, resale is not my main concern.

Impressive build sheet Jim, keep us in the loop ~
... If I can do pics you can too :~)

any pics?

Here are three pictures of the SAS body for Jim's coupe.

I thought there was a several year wait for an SAS?

That's going to be a screaming son of a gun machine, should we start referring to you as machine gun Kelly, sorry for the pun. I love it, glad you hung in there as I bet you are too.

That will be one BAD-ASS outlaw! Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Any updates on the progress for this one?

Jim--Wow!  What a car you are going to have!  I believe this raises the bar a lot. Too bad that Porsche couldnt or didn't build a car like this back in the mid 1950s.  Congratulations---you are going to get a stellar ride!

 

I am so damned jealous.

 

 

SAS is da bomb.  Wuill you take it to Fijior base it in Socal?   Hell---I'd take it back and forth with me to keep it in my sight!  Good luck, JIm!

Thanks, Jack.  Porsche did build a remarkable car for its time, didn't they?  Our good fortune is to be able to pick and choose a whole menu of modern improvements that will make our replicas more reliable, faster, more responsive, better handling, and much safer than their '50's ancestors.

 

The car will stay in central California.  I hope to take delivery in the next few months.  There are some new pics of the body back from paint on the SAS site, but I'm too computer-illiterate to figure out how to post them. 

Jim, you indeed will have wild-ass machine, a combination of Beauty and the Beast.

 

Troy, you would be surprised at the cost of a SAS car, base price of a Speedster is in the high 20s, Cabriolets and Coupes in the low 30s. As far as value, I paid 36k for a flared fender Cabriolet with automatic, cruise control, A/C and power windows. I insured it with Grundy for agreed value of 36k four years ago and today they upped the agreed value to 40K and lowered my premium by $200. Granted Jim will pay a bit more than a actual 356 Coupe but there's no debating the differences in over performance. Of course there is a major waiting period as with any custom built car coming from a shop that has only produced about 25 cars since 2004. Here's a shot of Jim's car.

 

Just curious when did you start the deal i.e. pay your deposit. I'm considering one and would like to verify the lead time.

 

Thanks

 

Joe

I also would like to know what realistic build times are. I'm very interested in a SAS Speedster, and I understand this is a scratch built from the ground up product, but is it really a 2 to 4 year wait until delivery?

Yes, it is.  You get a phenomenal product, but the wait is 2-4 years.

I thought I was pretty advanced with disc brakes on all 4 wheels but Jim is getting ABS---and that's just the start!

 

Good on you, Jim. You are gonna love this Speedster!

 

 

Yes Michael, a 2 to 4 wait is the par for a two man shop. SAS is a custom builder that started out restorer of classic cars and has evolved into a custom builder of Porsche replicas and Jaguar replicas. Steve Lawing is the owner, engineer and lead assembler and Tom is his right hand man and problem solver/fixer. Together they depend on 3rd party suppliers, availability/delivery of donor cars (less than 20K mileage), weather, painters and upholsterers. While the wait is long and stressful, the product is worth it. The choice for a SAS car is solely up to the buyer, if he or she can wait, they will have a car worth waiting for, if not I suggest going for another builder. I waited 3 1/2 years and would order a coupe if I had the money and time to enjoy it, being 74 on my next birthday, it would be pushing it for me.

Whew, that is a bit of a wait but I am certain, as you all have said, it is worth the wait. Of all the builders out there, SAS has definitely impressed me. Although please forgive my ignorance ; I wasn't aware they were only a two man operation. I guess I didn't research as thoroughly as I thought.

You haven't mentioned where you're located. There may be a SAS owner nearby that would be more than happy to show their car. I live in a community west of Ft Lauderdale, Fl. As some of those that are waiting, you might pick up a project car or daily driver, a Miata with a lot of patina might help with any wait having a new one built.

Sorry about that. I'm in Houston, TX. I actually have a project in my garage now. My 67 VW, I drove for awhile until main bearing went out.  Engine is torn down right now for complete rebuild and also beginning prep for repaint. If I bring in another project my wife  will surely scalp me!

'67 Bug, one of my favorite VW classics (is it the powder blue)! Best of luck with that project! 

Jim the car looks great 

 

Damnn I would be keen to get it and drive, don't know if I could wait so long for it though.

 

 

 

I look forward to seeing finished car - whoaaaa, well done again Jim it is really a great parts and build list you have.

 

Bernie

 

My bug was originally beige with another beige respray sometime before I got it. Alas, sounds like you're missing one in powder blue! I'll be painting it a non metallic medium grey with red interior.

Jim, An impressively long build list and no mention of those trick cup holders?  It'll be a long and thirsty drive back to CA.  But a fun one I'm sure.  We'll be looking forward to seeing it.

I just got off the phone with Steve. Apparently your car is already in the 'testing' phase (you probably know this of course). He says I'm looking at the end of summer for a finish date. At this point I'm exactly a year into the deal. I asked him what his typical build time is these days and he said 18-24 months. Also said it's getting shorter with all his outsourcing. Like alot quicker. One can only hope I guess. If someone offered to buy my place in line I might consider it. If what Steve says is true then somebody would be on the fast track to owning a new SAS...(if it was true). I'm only in 8 grand at the moment.

 

Anyway we talked in length about the new rear wishbone suspension and the narrower frame + some turbo talk. Not sure I want a turbo with the price of gas in CA. Also having that kind of power might get me into trouble BUT the car would be redonkulously fast..like 4 second 0-60 fast

Jim,

Steve gave me the royal "tour" of his shop, with your Coupe being the crown jewel,  while I was visiting SAS this past weekend.  The paint looks great, all the major assemblies/components installed, and there is just some wiring yet to be finished before it hits the road for initial testing.  You've got one bad ass tail pipe there, playing the oh so sweet sounds of that turbo engine.  Although I went there to put down a deposit on a Speedster, after seeing your car I held back while I "cut more bait" in the process of deliberating on the model.  Although SAS' shop is far from a modern production line, they sure do great work.  You'll be one happy owner!  I hope to follow shortly . . .  as soon as I can figure out which model I want.