Nuttier than Squirrel poop for sure. Looking at a 7 hour drive home in that thing right after Thansgiving.
Best say my prayers!
Brian
I love the profile of the coupe. But to me, one of the most important experiences is the frame through which you view the world. I find the Speedster frame impossible to beat. Plus, the cost of a bonafide coupe (at least a 5-footer) isn't that far off from a well sorted replica. So if I were looking for a coupe, I might be tempted toward the real thing.
Frickin AWESOME,Dude!!!
Ryan in NorCal posted:I love the profile of the coupe. But to me, one of the most important experiences is the frame through which you view the world. I find the Speedster frame impossible to beat. Plus, the cost of a bonafide coupe (at least a 5-footer) isn't that far off from a well sorted replica. So if I were looking for a coupe, I might be tempted toward the real thing.
I couldn't think of a better view! That would be a dream ...
Brian
WOLFGANG posted:
I am not a purist (Of course), but I would seriously be shaking with that sawzall in my hands. Neat idea. Yah, I might do it. Got a pic with it open?
Brian
Tell the truth now Ryan you Jump through it
or over it 
Careful Brian, Ryan will pull a Peter Fonda walk around ouside the coupe at 80mph
Ryan in NorCal posted:I love the profile of the coupe. But to me, one of the most important experiences is the frame through which you view the world. I find the Speedster frame impossible to beat. Plus, the cost of a bonafide coupe (at least a 5-footer) isn't that far off from a well sorted replica. So if I were looking for a coupe, I might be tempted toward the real thing.
I might be tempted toward the real thing.
Yes but the P tax would get you on parts and maintenance. A replica is the only way to get a cost effective solution.
@RacerX Congrats on your new toy! Welcome To The Madness! 
Hope to see you & wife at one of our cruises (Mt. Palomar, Mulhollland Hwy, West Coast SLO). You may have already seen the attached video. It is a video of our recent annual West Coast Cruise in San Luis Obispo.
Its a bit long (20min), but it puts faces to some of the names you see on this site. Video has clips of cruising along the Malibu coastline, backroads of San Luis Obispo, vineyards of Paso Robles. Hope you can join us next year. I'll attach a link to the annual East Coast gathering Speedsters Meets Spyders on another post.
Here's a short video on how to properly load your Speedster/Coupe for those extended trips. 
When the video starts, click on the 'Gear' icon in the lower right and adjust video quality to 720HD for better viewing.
Congrats, Brian! I sure hope that there is room here for Coupes as I have one on the way - sometime. Whether the roof is cloth or fiberglass, it's the people that make these cars the most fun.
Jim never goes on a road trip without his nose hair scissors and his weed, I mean his chamomile tea. Pause at 15 seconds.
That packing video is awesomely my favourite
My favorite is the MUSBJIM/EL GUAPO one.
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Marty Grzynkowicz posted:Jim never goes on a road trip without his nose hair scissors and his weed, I mean his chamomile tea. Pause at 15 seconds.
Hahaha. I definitely didn't catch that.
IaM-Ray posted:Ryan in NorCal posted:I might be tempted toward the real thing.
Yes but the P tax would get you on parts and maintenance. A replica is the only way to get a cost effective solution.
I don't know, @IaM-Ray. My experience is certainly limited. But my neighbor picked up a great looking & driving 356 coupe last year for not much more than a well sorted replica. Granted, he has rebuilt / restored dozens of cars and wasn't intimidated by any repair work. But I don't believe he's dug deep at all to get her tuned up to a fun weekend car. It's not a show car, but most wouldn't know the difference at 5 feet. (I think it looks great up close as well.)
Are maintenance costs really that different between the real thing and an engine built with Brazilian and Mexican parts for old bugs?
These pics show the car as delivered. What a fun ride!
Well in the mid 70's a fuel pump was $65 for my 356A coupe ... a GM was $5.95... do the math on that one... yes body work is the same pretty much on any car I would think except for parts differences.
racerx...do your research if you choose to have a company build you a car...either coupe or speedster...i'll save you some time in one regard...DO NOT get involved with a shop called SAS in knoxville tenn.!....and i'll just leave it at that
Not every replica needs to be built with Mexican/Chinese parts and Brazilian plastic....there are options: Subaru motors(Japan), Porsche motors(USA/Germany), VW motors(USA/GERMANY). If one chooses to do a build vs an original Coupe/Speedster, there are endless options to max out on personal taste and likely max predictability of performance and longevity(?)? Some folks love tinkering and some of us(me) have 3 left hands and 14 thumbs
Banzai Pipeline posted:Not every replica needs to be built with Mexican/Chinese parts and Brazilian plastic....there are options: Subaru motors(Japan), Porsche motors(USA/Germany), VW motors(USA/GERMANY). If one chooses to do a build vs an original Coupe/Speedster, there are endless options to max out on personal taste and likely max predictability of performance and longevity(?)?
Ryan in NorCal posted:I love the profile of the coupe. But to me, one of the most important experiences is the frame through which you view the world. I find the Speedster frame impossible to beat. Plus, the cost of a bonafide coupe (at least a 5-footer) isn't that far off from a well sorted replica. So if I were looking for a coupe, I might be tempted toward the real thing.
Ryan, the Naci/Ferguson Road is hard to beat!
Kathy and I are heading up there for our birthdays and 44th anniversary (all on the 18th).
We're spending 3 nights at the Hearst Hacienda designed by Julia Morgan (she designed his castle as well as many famous buildings here in California) and I'm really looking forward to traveling Highway 1 again.
Thanks for the reminder!
Ryan, I am not saying that you cannot happen on a good deal and it may all fit together well. Some things on the replica aircooled VW side are at times not much less than a 1600cc 356 engine but you get 2110 or more cc. I don't claim to have all the answers, only the answers for myself
I have friends who has owned 911, Boxter etc. for much longer periods and finally one of them said to me... well the oil change is X, the four wheel alignment is X etc, the prices were all nearly a factor of 10 times a normal car.
My point is simply that while you may get away with less, there is a BIGGER Hit in the future and you have to decide what percentage of disposable income your wanting to give to the P temple. Maybe I am just getting cynical in my old age but my equation works well with a nice IM. Maybe I should adopt El Guapo's vision... JUST DRIVE IT !
IaM-Ray posted:Ryan, I am not saying that you cannot happen on a good deal and it may all fit together well. Some things on the replica aircooled VW side are at times not much less than a 1600cc 356 engine but you get 2110 or more cc. I don't claim to have all the answers, only the answers for myself
I have friends who has owned 911, Boxter etc. for much longer periods and finally one of them said to me... well the oil change is X, the four wheel alignment is X etc, the prices were all nearly a factor of 10 times a normal car.
My point is simply that while you may get away with less, there is a BIGGER Hit in the future and you have to decide what percentage of disposable income your wanting to give to the P temple.
Ditto....an accurate assessment.
If you like it and can afford it, get it!
Bill Prout posted:If you like it and can afford it, get it!
AND...if you can't afford it, there are HOME EQUITY LOANS, leasing, VISA cash advances, and not to forget
...sale of body organs and vital fluids
That's right! I sold my Spleen to a guy in New Zealand . He didn't know you could get by without one. A sucker born every minute (my surgery is right after New Years).
Brian
HAR! The guy who owned my house before me bought a lot of awesome fun stuff with home equity loans. He had a nice boat, a couple jet skis, and more motorcycles than I could count.
We got the house in a short sale.
What some folks do with 356's is pull the gen-u-wine Porshee mill, put it on the shelf for when they want to sell the car, and have a healthy 2110 built for driving.
Loads more power, way cheaper maintenance, and no worries if you get a little exuberant and bust something.
Nice thing about that plan is you're almost guaranteed a profit when you sell - probably more than enough to cover the cost of the 2110, and you STILL have the 2110 when you're done.
That’s becoming a popular route on the East Coast as well, IF they still wish to drive their original. Many are selling them on the European market for big bucks to augment their retirement, often receiving more $$$$ than they originally paid for their homes.
Sacto Mitch posted:
What some folks do with 356's is pull the gen-u-wine Porshee mill, put it on the shelf for when they want to sell the car, and have a healthy 2110 built for driving.
Loads more power, way cheaper maintenance, and no worries if you get a little exuberant and bust something.
Nice thing about that plan is you're almost guaranteed a profit when you sell - probably more than enough to cover the cost of the 2110, and you STILL have the 2110 when you're done.
NOT a bad idea...definitely has upside and saves blowing up the original motor
If the Porsche engine's in good condition, I wouldn't bother switching it out. Besides the hassle and cost, you'll have to modify the Porsche tin to seal the engine compartment and replacing that tin when you eventually replace the engine will be expensive.
It's very, very hard to "blow-up" a Porsche 356 engine, they're designed and built well and can easily last 200,000 miles with maybe a valve-job somewhere in the middle.
I know from experience. And that engine (1600 Normal) was often run 85 mph.
Hi Brian,
I'm one of the few guys who have owned both replicas, a Speedster previously, now a coupe. I'm 72 now, 20 years older now than when I had Vintage build my Speedster, and my needs are different. The last place I lived with my Speedster was Kauai, and it seemed I was continually raising or lowering the top, due to rain.
I had a CB 2110 with my Vintage, and now I have a turbo Subi. I had it built by SAS, an experience I will liken to hemorrhoid surgery without anesthetic. Coupes are great, but SAS is an embarrassment to mankind.
I have spent almost 4 years rebuilding everything, and the car is now pretty much what it should have been on delivery. I appreciate the improved handling of the mid-engine platform, and the all-weather features of a coupe. Other makers are now offering/will be offering coupes in the near future. Consider one of them, but NOT SAS. PM me if you want more lurid details, or just do a SEARCH on here. Best of luck, and please keep the group informed.
When I decided to get a replica coupe I never ever considered a real 356....not once not for a moment ....not prudent...
I have owned new Porsches since 1965 and they are terrific cars but they are very expensive to insure and maintain and the idea of a 60 year old Porsche was not for me.
The nearest Porsche mechanic or dealer is in Seattle, some 125 miles away and anything you do to a Porsche costs at least $500 and it is not unusual for it to cost $5000 and normally means removing the engine and taking a couple weeks or more to repair.
If that car will not drive to Seattle, It can cost another $500 to have it transported and then you have to get it back home...not for me...
My car is new, it is dependable it is safer than a original 356 and there is a old guy in Wenatchee that is a VW savant and can fix anything for less than $70 a hour and will pick the car up and bring it back...
now this is a beautiful 993 Coupe but she is dangerous.....
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ABSOLUTELY....I'd take a replica coupe any day as suggested....performance, comfort, almost a no brainer! I think the original air-cooled market is approaching the top as prices are border line ridiculous....but fear drives the market higher
Jim Kelly posted:Hi Brian,
I'm one of the few guys who have owned both replicas, a Speedster previously, now a coupe. I'm 72 now, 20 years older now than when I had Vintage build my Speedster, and my needs are different. The last place I lived with my Speedster was Kauai, and it seemed I was continually raising or lowering the top, due to rain.
I had a CB 2110 with my Vintage, and now I have a turbo Subi. I had it built by SAS, an experience I will liken to hemorrhoid surgery without anesthetic. Coupes are great, but SAS is an embarrassment to mankind.
I have spent almost 4 years rebuilding everything, and the car is now pretty much what it should have been on delivery. I appreciate the improved handling of the mid-engine platform, and the all-weather features of a coupe. Other makers are now offering/will be offering coupes in the near future. Consider one of them, but NOT SAS. PM me if you want more lurid details, or just do a SEARCH on here. Best of luck, and please keep the group informed.
Hey Jim'
Thanks for the reply. I had mentioned earlier that I did indeed buy the owners JPS Coupe rather than his Speedster. The car is up in Lodi, CA and I will be trailering it home immediately after Thanksgiving. The motor is a fresh built 1600 with a mild cam and Jr. Webers. The case is brand new too. This car was highly optioned by the Original owner and comes with a/c to boot. Only needs a paint job. Having a Speedster in Kauai is hard to beat!
Brian
MusbJim posted:@RacerX Congrats on your new toy! Welcome To The Madness!
Hope to see you & wife at one of our cruises (Mt. Palomar, Mulhollland Hwy, West Coast SLO). You may have already seen the attached video. It is a video of our recent annual West Coast Cruise in San Luis Obispo.
Its a bit long (20min), but it puts faces to some of the names you see on this site. Video has clips of cruising along the Malibu coastline, backroads of San Luis Obispo, vineyards of Paso Robles. Hope you can join us next year. I'll attach a link to the annual East Coast gathering Speedsters Meets Spyders on another post.
Here's a short video on how to properly load your Speedster/Coupe for those extended trips.
My wife Lani and I really enjoyed your videos . She pointed out that with our Coupe, we will not be able to take advantage of the storage space offered by the Speedster! One step forward, two back. We really do want to get with your group on some of these trips in the coming year. We have made the trip to SLO and Monterey many times, but it is going to be awesome traveling with a group of Speedsters, while we are cruising in our own ride. Caught some of your other videos on ytube. Thank you for taking the time to put them together. Really helps all us "Staycationers" escape.
Brian
Racerx posted:Jim Kelly posted:Hi Brian,
I'm one of the few guys who have owned both replicas, a Speedster previously, now a coupe. I'm 72 now, 20 years older now than when I had Vintage build my Speedster, and my needs are different. The last place I lived with my Speedster was Kauai, and it seemed I was continually raising or lowering the top, due to rain.
I had a CB 2110 with my Vintage, and now I have a turbo Subi. I had it built by SAS, an experience I will liken to hemorrhoid surgery without anesthetic. Coupes are great, but SAS is an embarrassment to mankind.
I have spent almost 4 years rebuilding everything, and the car is now pretty much what it should have been on delivery. I appreciate the improved handling of the mid-engine platform, and the all-weather features of a coupe. Other makers are now offering/will be offering coupes in the near future. Consider one of them, but NOT SAS. PM me if you want more lurid details, or just do a SEARCH on here. Best of luck, and please keep the group informed.
Hey Jim'
Thanks for the reply. I had mentioned earlier that I did indeed buy the owners JPS Coupe rather than his Speedster. The car is up in Lodi, CA and I will be trailering it home immediately after Thanksgiving. The motor is a fresh built 1600 with a mild cam and Jr. Webers. The case is brand new too. This car was highly optioned by the Original owner and comes with a/c to boot. Only needs a paint job. Having a Speedster in Kauai is hard to beat!
Brian
Yes and no. I found top up more than not, thus the reason I bought a removable hardtop as the soft top just won't last up all the time.
We were considering a Glaspar top while looking at the Speedsters. Might take a couple of contortionist moves to get in the car because of that lower roofline.
Brian
Yes, but easier than the soft top when it's up.