So i'm looking for another speedster resto project, either a classic body or flared style will work. I do prefer a running project but a roller will suffice . The few that I have inquired about are ok however the asking prices are off the charts. I'll need to locate one by early January to have it completed for Carlisle.
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HI Alan,
check www.kitmanmotors.com
We have shortened, Rhino coated VW IRS chassis, subframes, Speedster bodies ready to ship. Bolt on front beams that are prebuilt with disc brakes are available from Airkewld.com and Mendeola. Freeway Flyer Transmission from Benco. Many good suppliers in SoCal and we can help you consolidate for shipping to West VA. We have some shipping agents that we are working with that are reasonable and reliable.
If we can help you, give Jonathan a call at 858.663-3718 and he can hook you up. Or his e mail is kitmanmotors.j@gmail.com You could easily have everything that you need delivered to you by the end of December.
Cheers,
Chris
Kitman Motors
(844) 356-0356
Chris cell 619-889-8337 , chris@klebers.com, kitmanmotors.c@gmail.com
Hey Chris,
How about an update on the website, with some real info? Also, your link for Facebook has never been correct.
Thanks,
Rick
I am planning a website upgrade soon. What "real" information would you find to be helpful to you? We ( Jonathan and me) should be offering Spyder bodies and matched chassis by the beginning of the year. That will be added to the website. I will double check the Facebook link and get that working. Thank you for letting me know.
Chris
Chris Kleber, KitMan Motors posted:I am planning a website upgrade soon. What "real" information would you find to be helpful to you? We ( Jonathan and me) should be offering Spyder bodies and matched chassis by the beginning of the year. That will be added to the website. I will double check the Facebook link and get that working. Thank you for letting me know.
Chris
Pricing, other parts availability, possible shipping options. Maybe some testimonials from customers with completed projects. Something to let a customer know he might get some support building out one of your bodies. Thanks!
Thanks, Li-Rick
Pricing is slightly variable depending on quantity, changes from my supplier, or additional pieces that we include with the kit ( , hinges, or stainless steel window frames for the Coupe - newly offered). Parts lists with supplier part numbers are gladly forwarded upon request/ inquiry and list local suppliers in SoCal that we have regularly used. On rare occasions, we will source parts for some of our overseas buyers as they do not have access to the supply chain that we do. When and if we do that , we tell the buyer that we will add an additional 25% to the wholesale pricing that we are able to obtain. Many times the buyers just contact the vendors listed directly. Everyone wants something different and it was just too confusing with phone/ e-mail to do this except in rare cases.
We have several preferred shipping companies that we have successfully used and happily refer the buyer to them as it is the buyers responsibility to pick up and transport once purchased. Destinations shipped to have been many and different.. Canada, Australia, Holland ,England , West Virginia, Minnesota, Texas, Georgia Oregon, Illinois....... so you can see that each instance is different.
Brock B on SOC did a fabulous job building one of our Coupes at a crazy fast pace and we send buyers to follow that on SOC. We also frequently send the CMC build manual that is listed on the SOC resources Library to prospective buyers so that they "know what they are in for" in their own build. We can answer many questions about building yet are not there to " hold your hand" through each step. That is what you receive when a professional builder is involved to get the Dream 356 that you desire.
So to answer your overall question.... We do support the buyer in many ways but they have to contact us first. Hope that answers your questions Just call 844-356-0356 or 858 663-3718 and talk to Jonathan.
Cheers, Chris
I've found exactly what I was looking for in a project.. thanks David B. for the link ~
Excellent, build on, Brotha :-)
LI-Rick posted:Chris Kleber, KitMan Motors posted:I am planning a website upgrade soon. What "real" information would you find to be helpful to you? We ( Jonathan and me) should be offering Spyder bodies and matched chassis by the beginning of the year. That will be added to the website. I will double check the Facebook link and get that working. Thank you for letting me know.
Chris
Pricing, other parts availability, possible shipping options. Maybe some testimonials from customers with completed projects. Something to let a customer know he might get some support building out one of your bodies. Thanks!
It appears that the short answer to your questions is, "No."
@ Chris Kleber, KitMan Motors I posted the thread to find a project, ( I have) This is not the venue for a vendor jump in and try to sell there wares.... Tnx ~
Dr Jeff still has a CMC in Birmingham, Al for $4,500. It has tasteful fiberglass mods of slight flares and raised light mounting areas by horn grills. Has BBS style spoked wheels. AC engine is apart. Has 914 gauges. Believe it needs a top but has a windshield and all other bits. Most is stripped of burgundy paint and is in primer. PM me for his contact info.
That's Dr. Jeff, sitting in the car when his Dad bought it in 1988.
Nothing much has changed on the car, but Dr. Jeff now is 42 years old and has his license to practice medicine....... 
My apologies, Alan..just thought you might be interested relative to what you said that you were searching for. Next time I have such a thought, I will private message.
SINCERELY,
Chris
Chris Kleber, KitMan Motors posted:My apologies, Alan..just thought you might be interested relative to what you said that you were searching for. Next time I have such a thought, I will private message.
SINCERELY,
Chris
As a supporting member I think your thoughts can be posted here with all if the other thoughts.
Robert M posted:Chris Kleber, KitMan Motors posted:My apologies, Alan..just thought you might be interested relative to what you said that you were searching for. Next time I have such a thought, I will private message.
SINCERELY,
Chris
As a supporting member I think your thoughts can be posted here with all if the other thoughts.
Please continue posting @Chris Kleber, KitMan Motors. You are a valuable member of the community.
I think if a vendor was continually daily posting his wares we would want to discourage it, but I for one appreciate new product announcements. Thanks Chris for posting the I info !
Ray
Chris - I don't feel any apology is required. You offer items not available in any other markets - you just don't see new "naked" speedster bodies for sale much nor the other hidden pieces you have available. Other vendors seem to only offer rollers vs the basic kits.
As DrClock has pointed out in the past, the cost of Speedster parts has greatly increased over last few years - so the more vendors providing parts the better. Some vendors even commission making higher quality replacement parts as the quality of some (often Chinese) parts is dismal (i.e. Beck having new electronic 356 replica VDO gauges produced - at near the same price as prior "IFFY" Chinese Tachs and Speedos). I recall how much better the chrome Brazilian Mangel rims were over the later Chinese versions - breath on the new ones and they rust.
A case can surely be made for buying new parts vs resurrecting a 30 year old CMC home built derelict. Having to undo and redo past work is costly (especially if hidden and not expected).
Here's a great winter project buy for someone on the left coast that doesn't hate the 359. $3500 or best offer - NOT mine. (The kit sold for $15000 back in the late '80s)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/cl...etail.php?id=2329582
Thank you for the comments.
Jonathan and I at Kitman Motors appreciate and highly value SOC for the candor and getting to the true facts around many questions. Also, Great resources on SOC and a real unbiased " experienced ,ethical, brain trust". Call it like you see it!!!
Thank you😎😎
Flattery will get you somewhere 
I am so glad, at times, that I drive a top down car it allows my head to fit in.
Chris Kleber, KitMan Motors posted:My apologies, Alan..just thought you might be interested relative to what you said that you were searching for. Next time I have such a thought, I will private message.
SINCERELY,
Chris
Chris, My apologies for coming across as somewhat harsh ~
Almost all contributors to this site have, on occasion, said things they wish they hadn't. I know I have. One of the many unique features of this group of misfits is that we can cowboy up and admit it when we got it wrong.
Always think twice before hitting the send/reply button.
OK now: group hug!
Baaaaaaaa
Thank you, Alan and others. This SOC has "good bones".
Over the last 6 years that I have been involved in this " industry" of replica manufacturers and builders, I have been dumbfounded and as to what some of the "cast of characters "( the nicest term I could think of ---- no names at this point ) involved considered "normal behavior and how the customer was treated". With my professional career (dentistry) as my reference , I literally felt that I have fallen into pit of venomous snakes as I experienced the lies, deception, and criminal acts of those greedy individuals. I have slowly been able to replace the bad guys with incredibly talented, nice, and honorable craftsmen/ craftswomen who 100% "straight up". I look forward to being able to provide good replica kits at a reasonable price to the community.
I am ALL IN on the group hug ( as long as my ass does not get pinched!)
Cheers,
Chris
Gee Chris I thought you were going to say “This SOC has good “teeth” “. That would have been more appropriate
FWIW. Teeth are synonymous with friends
Chris Kleber, KitMan Motors posted:Thank you, Alan and others. This SOC has "good bones".
Over the last 6 years that I have been involved in this " industry" of replica manufacturers and builders, I have been dumbfounded and as to what some of the "cast of characters "( the nicest term I could think of ---- no names at this point ) involved considered "normal behavior and how the customer was treated". With my professional career (dentistry) as my reference , I literally felt that I have fallen into pit of venomous snakes as I experienced the lies, deception, and criminal acts of those greedy individuals. I have slowly been able to replace the bad guys with incredibly talented, nice, and honorable craftsmen/ craftswomen who 100% "straight up". I look forward to being able to provide good replica kits at a reasonable price to the community.
I am ALL IN on the group hug ( as long as my ass does not get pinched!)
Cheers,
Chris
As long as I say "good game" it's okay.
I've never had any dealings with Dr. Kleber, but I've been kind of a closet fanboy from day 1. From the beginning, I've seen an enthusiast who just wanted to run a clean business, filling a niche left otherwise vacant (unfinished shells). It's not a business model that's going to net billions, but it provides another option in our hobby (I refuse to call it an industry).
He's never oversold, never slammed other vendors (even when they deserved it), and never responded in anything but a gracious manner when somebody (Brock) was vocally hoping for something outside of what Kitman has determined they want to be.
Not your thing? Great, but there's not a lot other options for a guy who wants to roll his own. There are a limited number of CMCs in boxes out there.
I've got no small number of suggestions regarding an updated website, and ways to aid prospective buyers in getting a kit to their door-- but this is Dr. Kleber's deal, and he gets to run it the way he'd like.
More power to him.
IaM-Ray posted:Gee Chris I thought you were going to say “This SOC has good “teeth” “. That would have been more appropriate
FWIW. Teeth are synonymous with friends
Every now and then, this group does have some, Hmmm, let's just say ... molars going bad.
Ha, Plus WISDOM teeth are long gone!
I'm looking forward to seeing what your Spyder chassis looks like. I've been patiently waiting for Vintage to build an IRS! To me, swingaxle is leaving much on the table.
@Chris Kleber, KitMan Motors wrote- "I am ALL IN on the group hug ( as long as my ass does not get pinched!)"
Bad news, dude- you are the new guy...
"I've never had any dealings with Dr. Kleber, but I've been kind of a closet fanboy from day 1"
He must have done your teeth
IaM-Ray posted:"I've never had any dealings with Dr. Kleber, but I've been kind of a closet fanboy from day 1"
He must have done your teeth
Nope. My uncle was a dentist. Free dental care for my family until he retired, baby.
... of course he did remove all 8 (two full sets) of wisdom teeth in his office, without numbing me, so there's that...
Always good to have health care professionals in your family.
Yeah it's the semi-pros you really have to be concerned about.
I purchased Speedster Project #50 ! It's a virgin CMC classic body with no holes drilled in it. It sits loose on a 1972 shortened VW chassis with a running 1600 DP engine and good trans. My transport guy Steve will pick up this Friday and store it until I am done with Jake's IM restoration around 12/1. Not sure if I'll stick with a classic style or do a Emory Outlaw replica. The plan is to have this speedster done and at Carlisle.
Given it’s a virgin body with no holes, seems to be a sign saying “make me an Emory Outlaw”.
....that said, whatever you choose to do, I’m sure will be fantastic!
