Subytub has arrived II

Just for you Stan. Ivan is clearing out so it looks like we won't be watching the Vols Stomp Florida in the rain. It also means that my tentatively scheduled drive with buddy Lou will not have to be postponed. Lou is the former owner of a real neat Bali Blue 356 SC and has been very interested in the SubyTub project.
John H

I just want to thank you for starting the thread new the old one was really getting slow to load

Thanks!

Hey, I think that's a good guideline - over 100, new thread. I forgot how painful it is with a dial-up connection, especially waiting for something you really want to read. John, thanks for your generosity in sharing the Subytub updates with the rest of us. I will get a Speedster once I fill my jar full of pennies.

I have contacted Speciatly Auto Works and the gentleman said they have a coupe version but he does not know if it is a 356A or B. Does anyone know if they are going to produce a coupe version in B or c? Love the c model but would love to have a b coupe as well.

As I understand it, SAW has located a source for 356A coupe bodies. Up until now he has only assembled Speedsters and Cabriolets. Since the SAW version would be a mid-engine car, I suspect there are technical issues that would have to be resolved with regard to engine access and removal. This seems rather straight forward with the convertible but not so with a hard top. It will likely take awhile to obtain a coupe body should SAW get a commission.

Charles or John, Does the suby engine drop out the bottom during a change out or does it get pulled out from the top.........just curious???

Top.

If SAW already had a Coupe out and a couple of builds it would be tempting.

Yes it would, Jim Bob. Just imagine this car with a 2.0L turbo and a killer sound system like Jerome has in his speedster. I've even got a color picked out. Yep, Walter Mitty checking in.......again.

Yes, however would it not just make sense for the coupe to put the engine in the rear. And only have the speedster with it in the middle? I am sure the engine in the rear would be cheaper for them then to have to design it to be a mid engine car? I do not know much about cars though!!!

This kind-of goes along with the engine swap thread under another heading.

SAW took the (relatively) easier way out by utilizing the entire Subaru drive train; tranny, half-shafts and all, which puts the engine over the axle centerline, and, hence, into the back seat, just like the Fierro guys did. This improves the weight distribution and all that, and it even gives you more trunk/stowage space, but at the cost of losing the rear seat AND having potentially increased engine noise (bearing in mind that, with the cylinder water jackets, it'll probably be quite a bit quieter than an aircooled).

Having typed all that, I would STILL be more than a lot intrigued with the idea of a 'glass 356C coupe, with a beefed up VW transaxle mated to a 150 - 175 hp Subaru engine in the rear. Why a "C" version? Dual engine cover grills under which to mount the engine radiator (ducting would be needed, but would be easier with no engine fan shroud in the way). OK, so you could run an "A" body with a "C" style engine cover if you must, but it really sounds like an easy conversion. If I got my son and his Eclipse friends together on this I bet we could have it done in a week or less (no kidding, they're THAT good), ESPECIALLY if KEP has the conversion kit already done.

Now, all we need is for Carey to get that Envemo Coupe kit into production and we're ready to Rock!

GN

Gordon
If you get the kids working on that, film it and you could probably sell it to what ever channel West Coast Choppers is on. You could call it East Coast Speedstas. Make a bunch of money :-)
ed

Just for conversation what would be wrong with the Suby engine in the front and use the Suby front-wheel drive or even all-wheel drive? Big gas tank in the rear and a big honking trunk above the gas tank in the back and a full sized rear seat.

If not mistaken Carey's supplier in Brazil had photos of 550 Spyders with Suby engines on their dealership floor.

All wheel drive I could live with but not front wheel drive. I think you'd end up with alot of understeer with the light weight.
ed

and probably some horrendous front torque steer

How about a glass coupe with AWD? That would be awesome!
BD

I would just very much like to see a coupe C replica like Envemo did. Many of us already have convertibles and I believe many in colder areas would love to buy a really good replica coupe like an envemo. Even with a volkswagen engine still would be great. I know I would buy one in a heart beat. Hope they start the old Envemo mold and car back up.