specialty auto sports 356

anyone hear of this mfg

there is one for sale in toronto and i am trying to figure out how much it is worth and whether or not this is a good brand

steve

I have ridden in one, seen two. They were well built and finished cars. I have no idea of the prices new. Not many have been sold, the owners that frequent this site can give you a better idea of value. Good luck! Being water cooled, you will have real heat, and that is a good thing in Toronto!

John "Hoss" Hallstrand has the original red cabrio, and is a frequent visitor here. Nolan Scott, Charles Gardner, Robert Young, all post here and attend gatherings. These are very nice cars if you want modern mechanicals and comforts, but traditional styling. A number of us had a small gathering at the SAS shop in Knoxville, TN recently. Check out some of the pictures in the "Third Annual SOC Weekend in the Smokies" thread. One of my posts near the bottom has a link to a bunch of pictures on Photobucket.

Last month I checked into this "SAS" car offered by this "classic car dealer" in Canada. I am 99.9% positive that it is not an authentic SAS made car - and this dealer has no evidence that it was built by SAS in the States. SAS has an excellent reputation for quality and their cars can be legally registered just about anywhere in Canada. This is NOT true for all other 356 replicas that turn up without actual build information. The "dealer" offering this car is only going on the word of the previous owner (so they claim)that it is an "SAS" build. The car is stunning in the on-line photos and appears to be very high workmanship. I would recommend that you contact SAS to get their comments on this Canadian car before you went any further. I'm not saying it is a "bad" car. It's just not what they are telling you it is and they should double check their information.

Doug what did it look like after delivery? I have talked to Steve recently and I'm thinking about buying one of his cars.. Any more thoughts and comments. Water cooled and mid engine a good idea?

Douglas, just curious. Do you have a link to the "classic car dealer" in Canada? Steve did build about fourty VW pan-based cars before he developed the "Tubaru."

Mike: The "salesman" wasn't sure if the car was air cooled or water cooled (if you can believe that)! I have a 356 Cab on order with SAS and anticipate April 2010 delivery. I did a lot of homework and I was impressed with Steve's experience, knowledge and quality.
Hoss: The dealer in Canada is LMC (Legendary Motor Cars)and there is a thread on the SAS Owners web site about this car. The consensus was that SAS did not build it - but Steve would be the authority on that issue. That's why I recommended contacting Steve direct. Steve said my car should be completed just prior to Carlisle and I hope to meet you and the other SAS owners there and enjoy a beer together.

If this is the car in question it sure looks like a Vintage to Me. Me thinks they are a bit cornfused.
http://www.legendarymotorcar.com/site/295

~WB

It's a Vintage

Upholstery door panel is Vintage...

Are those cars water tight?

BWAAAAAAAAAAAAA......

Steve / Mike - If the delivery timeline works for you, you CAN'T go wrong with ordering a car directly from SAS. They put out some awesome vehicles!

That looks like a pretty nice VS. I didn't see the price.

El Guapo,
This is an awesome coupe you have shown. This picture was taken at Carlile 2009. This is the only coupe that SAS has built to date but more are on order. It does not leak and drives really nice. The mid-engine configuration really changes the handling characteristics.

Just as another visual reference, here's a pic of Hoss' Suby SAS at Carlisle 2009.

Caption is slightly off....no auto trans....strictly a 5-speed Cabriolet.

Pic caption updated.

Hey Jimbo, I feel slighted you didn't show mine!

Is that one of those replica's?

Nolan-love the car. What are the drive-train specs on the Subaru engine? Thanks, Scott S.

Wouldn't one of "them" replicas sound better, or at least more typical?

Scott: The drive train is 170hp flat four water-cooled Subaru Impreza engine coupled to a four speed automatic. Auto was chosen for my better half but it has too much giddy up and go for her to drive it. The engine is mounted in a mid-engine design giving the car incredible ground hugging ability.

Mike: We like to refer to the Spirit, as named by Hoss, as a custom built 57 Porsche Cabriolet. It is registered in Florida as a 2008 Porsche R.

Me like! I'm going to strongly consider a Subaru drive-train. Thanks, Scott. Have you ever heard of this outfit?:
http://www.outfrontmotorsports.com/homepage.htm (check out "motors" section-whoa!)
add-does your license plate actually say "MyFlorida.Com" across the top?

Scott: Yes Florida plates do say that. I have read articles about that outfit and their powerful Subaru engines (some turning out 500+ hp). One caveat about replicas and Subaru engines. Since you live in California, emission controls as you know are mandatory on cars that are not registered as a pre-1975 (?) vehicle. SAS cars meet emission standards, however, registration can be somewhat difficult according to Paul Robins. One way to get a SAS car registered, as I understand it, is to buy it as a used car from SAS with Tennessee plates on it then re-register it in California.