I'm thinking about buying a Thunder Ranch Speedster, they seem to be nice. There is not much info. out there reguarding the Speedster. Can anybody offer some insight as to quality ect.
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I'm thinking about buying a Thunder Ranch Speedster, they seem to be nice. There is not much info. out there reguarding the Speedster. Can anybody offer some insight as to quality ect.
You think we are going to fall for that old one!
Mark, et al-
Your query may be perfectly honest and well intended (there really isn't very much information concerning the TR Speedster on their website or anywhere else), but it comes hard on the heels of a pretty heated discussion on this website concerning the difference between an enthusiastic buyer and a shill. Your question is so leading as to seem like a set-up. It's a sad commentary on the state of relations on this site that we see it this way.
It is common for vocal enthusiastic buyers from one builder to look pretty skeptically at the intent of vocal enthusiastic buyers from another builder. After all, how could any thinking person doing due diligence come to any conclusion other than the one "I" came to.
I've owned three speedsters: a CMC finished by Vintage, a JPS, and my new Intermeccanica. I know about these cars, and I care enough about them to have spent progressively more to get progressively more. All three were fine cars- but the first one cost less than half of what the new on does, and therefore my standards were different from car to car. Each one offered a fair value for the money I spent, and all three had their own strengths. I can tell you that while they cost a bit more, Intermeccanica is playing the game on an entirely different level.
The problem is- there are a lot of guys who want to justify their decision by tearing down somebody else's. "How could anybody spend $50K for a replica?", "Look at that paint!", "Those are the wrong gauges", etc.
If you are honest, and you want an honest opinion of TR cars, I suggest that you go to the SOC meet in April and compare cars from various builders. There is WAY too much hyperbole and protection of vested interest on this site to trust what somebody you never met thinks.
Your query may be perfectly honest and well intended (there really isn't very much information concerning the TR Speedster on their website or anywhere else), but it comes hard on the heels of a pretty heated discussion on this website concerning the difference between an enthusiastic buyer and a shill. Your question is so leading as to seem like a set-up. It's a sad commentary on the state of relations on this site that we see it this way.
It is common for vocal enthusiastic buyers from one builder to look pretty skeptically at the intent of vocal enthusiastic buyers from another builder. After all, how could any thinking person doing due diligence come to any conclusion other than the one "I" came to.
I've owned three speedsters: a CMC finished by Vintage, a JPS, and my new Intermeccanica. I know about these cars, and I care enough about them to have spent progressively more to get progressively more. All three were fine cars- but the first one cost less than half of what the new on does, and therefore my standards were different from car to car. Each one offered a fair value for the money I spent, and all three had their own strengths. I can tell you that while they cost a bit more, Intermeccanica is playing the game on an entirely different level.
The problem is- there are a lot of guys who want to justify their decision by tearing down somebody else's. "How could anybody spend $50K for a replica?", "Look at that paint!", "Those are the wrong gauges", etc.
If you are honest, and you want an honest opinion of TR cars, I suggest that you go to the SOC meet in April and compare cars from various builders. There is WAY too much hyperbole and protection of vested interest on this site to trust what somebody you never met thinks.
That's good Stan......I agree...well said!
Stan,
As usual, your comments are on target and your cool, reasoned style is a compliment to the best that this website has historically had to offer to the new and seasoned Speedster buyer. Thank you for this continuing contribution; you make us look good!
Mark, where are you located? Depending on what part of the country you live in, you may find it more convenient to travel to the East coast gathering in May. Better still, do both, which is what I did last year and it was a great experience. You will learn much and perhaps avoid making a mistake in your purchase, not necessarily the brand, but the divers selection of features that these cars offer.
As Stan mentioned, it took him three tries to find the car that was right for him. I'm certain that the refinement of his choice was a process of finding what he did and did not like about these cars. That was true in my case as well, now owning my second and probably last example....famous last words, eh?
Whatever you decide, do your homework, consider carefully your wants, needs and budget and you will ultimately be happy with what you decide.
good hunting,
Hoss
As usual, your comments are on target and your cool, reasoned style is a compliment to the best that this website has historically had to offer to the new and seasoned Speedster buyer. Thank you for this continuing contribution; you make us look good!
Mark, where are you located? Depending on what part of the country you live in, you may find it more convenient to travel to the East coast gathering in May. Better still, do both, which is what I did last year and it was a great experience. You will learn much and perhaps avoid making a mistake in your purchase, not necessarily the brand, but the divers selection of features that these cars offer.
As Stan mentioned, it took him three tries to find the car that was right for him. I'm certain that the refinement of his choice was a process of finding what he did and did not like about these cars. That was true in my case as well, now owning my second and probably last example....famous last words, eh?
Whatever you decide, do your homework, consider carefully your wants, needs and budget and you will ultimately be happy with what you decide.
good hunting,
Hoss
Stan ,
Your post is one of the best I have read to date.
Your post is one of the best I have read to date.
Wow....for what seemed like a simple question...lots of words and insight as to how rightwing/leftwing some members have been. But no answer to my simple question! I know there are several of you that know a great deal about these replicas. This does't mean that you need to destroy the reputation of any of these manufactures, but a diplomatic, tastful and well worded answer doesn't seem unreasonable. After all that is what an enthusiast based web site should offer....a resource. I run a restoration business (Porsche 356 specific) where we deal with everything from split window beetles to radical 356 outlaw racecars to origional Speedsters. I have had the real thing (restored) but could never relax and just drive it. It was always in the back of my head that something would happen that would cost more than I wanted to spend, or take more time to find than I wanted to look. See... I like to drive these cars. I don't want nor-do I have garage space for cars to sit and be polished and never used. Two years ago I found a Intermeccanica (spelling??) speedster in Detroit MI., it was a 80s car that needed a lot of work but I wanted to try one...So i bought it. I went through the entire car and did a semi-restoration, new paint, suspention work, a new trans. and tightened everything back to spec.. This car was a hoot, I no longer had those anxious feelings about "something happening". Well, unfortunately I let many of the more pure personalities that I had to deal with every day harsh my mellow because it wasn't real. So reluctantly I put it up on e-bay. You all may remember it last year, azure blue with semigloss black 356 wheels, tinted yellow headlight lenzes with stone grills and air brushed on Mobil Pegasas logos. Well, to hell with those uptight purists, I want another one. I am really not trying to bait anyone, I just want to make sure I am buying somthing that I am ok with. I will buy it as a kit and do it myself (mild outlaw style) so I'm not worried about assembly I just want to make sure the overall quality of the bits and peices is up to snuff. Again any further insight as to recomendations on a car that can be purchased as a kit unfinished would be helpful.
Suggestion, click on the registry tab and sort by manufacturer. You will then come up with four registered owners of TR Speedsters. Then you may contact them directly by e-mail. Sound OK? This is not an attempt to be evasive, but it may be the way to get the best information about this or any particular brand.
Stan,
Really well put.
-=theron
Really well put.
-=theron
Mark - you should definitely contact Bill George. He is very happy with his Thunder Ranch turnkey Speedster and probably knows as much about Tom McBurnie's operation as anyone.
Check out the photos of Bill's red TR Speedster in the Photos section then shoot him a private e-mail. He'll give you the straight scoop on Thunder Ranch.
Check out the photos of Bill's red TR Speedster in the Photos section then shoot him a private e-mail. He'll give you the straight scoop on Thunder Ranch.
Mark:
For some background on Thunder Ranch you might want to read some of posts from the recent past in which TR is mentioned. From the SOC home page,at the top of the page click on the FORUM tab. When the forum subjects listing page opens click on the folder named SEARCH (it's about three quarters of the way down the list, it's the folder with the magnifying glass superimposed). Enter Thunder Ranch in the search field and read some of the strings.
I'm sure the criteria for selecting a kit are quite different than for buying a turn-key. Of course you want to know your supplier, but as many posts here discuss, some kits are better /easier to assemble than others. Alan Merklin has had more experience with kits and Speedster restorations than anybody here, I think. And Bob Barret seems to have a lot of experience too. But for even more information you may want to open a string which specifically asks kit builders to discuss the challenges of building the kit they selected.
Also, Thunder Ranch has a website. Google: Thunder Ranch.
I too think Stan Galat's post above is a good one, it's very much "on point" about owner's allegiance to their brand and it should help you to understand the sensitivities of this group.
Seperately, I will email you a link to webpage specification sheet describing my turn-key Thunder Ranch build. (I got your email addy from the SOC registry).
For some background on Thunder Ranch you might want to read some of posts from the recent past in which TR is mentioned. From the SOC home page,at the top of the page click on the FORUM tab. When the forum subjects listing page opens click on the folder named SEARCH (it's about three quarters of the way down the list, it's the folder with the magnifying glass superimposed). Enter Thunder Ranch in the search field and read some of the strings.
I'm sure the criteria for selecting a kit are quite different than for buying a turn-key. Of course you want to know your supplier, but as many posts here discuss, some kits are better /easier to assemble than others. Alan Merklin has had more experience with kits and Speedster restorations than anybody here, I think. And Bob Barret seems to have a lot of experience too. But for even more information you may want to open a string which specifically asks kit builders to discuss the challenges of building the kit they selected.
Also, Thunder Ranch has a website. Google: Thunder Ranch.
I too think Stan Galat's post above is a good one, it's very much "on point" about owner's allegiance to their brand and it should help you to understand the sensitivities of this group.
Seperately, I will email you a link to webpage specification sheet describing my turn-key Thunder Ranch build. (I got your email addy from the SOC registry).
A further take on Bill George' post: When you do the search, do it twice. Once for Thunder Ranch and once for TR as it is pretty commonly found abbreviated. Also go over the spyder site and do the same thing.
I know you are looking at a SPEEDSTER but Thunder Ranch has been in business a long time with the speedsters a relatively new edition. Though you would be looking up spyder information, that will still tell you about the BUILDER. Are they reputable? Do they stand behind the product? Do they keep the promises they make? etc.
As suggested talk to the other TR owners. The best and final question you should ask is - Would you buy another from the same builder? angela
I know you are looking at a SPEEDSTER but Thunder Ranch has been in business a long time with the speedsters a relatively new edition. Though you would be looking up spyder information, that will still tell you about the BUILDER. Are they reputable? Do they stand behind the product? Do they keep the promises they make? etc.
As suggested talk to the other TR owners. The best and final question you should ask is - Would you buy another from the same builder? angela
My two cents, although I have vastly less experience than most of the Peers here; I've been happy with the variety of options I have in re-doing a kit. If you're going to go Outlaw, you might want to look at who makes a chassis you like, whose body lines fit your requirements and whose appointments make you happy. I'm pretty sure you can order components from different manufacturers the way my mechanic and body dude have. I'm much happier with the results of tinkering and overhaul than I was with the turn-key used car I bought initially. I already know I'll never get back what I have into it, but I'll probably not want anything else for a while after I'm done, either.
Stan's very eloquent guidance is right on. It's like trying to find a shoe that fits. It's your foot.
Good luck!
Stan's very eloquent guidance is right on. It's like trying to find a shoe that fits. It's your foot.
Good luck!
I'm new to this site and haven't bought anything yet. I did however, visit the Thunder Ranch facility in (El Cajon CA) a couple of weeks ago, where Chuck Hirsch gave me the nickel tour. I went there because I had a great deal of interest in their 550 Spyder. And I still like their Spyder (it's a variation of the Beck Spyder), but after seeing the quality they build into their Speedster (and after discovering that I need a shoehorn to fit my overweight and aging carcass into the Spyder), I came away knowing that there is a TR Speedster in my future.
The QC is absolutely stunning on these cars! These folks know what they are doing. Are the other well-known makers (Vintage, InterMeccanica, etc) building similar high quality cars? There's no doubt about it! Just don't be afraid to include TR in your search. They make a top-shelf product.......
Incidentally, they're getting ready to add a Cobra replica to their stable.........
The QC is absolutely stunning on these cars! These folks know what they are doing. Are the other well-known makers (Vintage, InterMeccanica, etc) building similar high quality cars? There's no doubt about it! Just don't be afraid to include TR in your search. They make a top-shelf product.......
Incidentally, they're getting ready to add a Cobra replica to their stable.........
Hey Mark, Maybe you should look into a VS, they are starting to get a pretty penney on the resale market these days. Take a look at the classified section post pretty blue speedster.
Gabe
Gabe