Vintage or JPS motorsport, can't decide?

I know U must get a lot of these postings from time to time. I just visited both garages in so cal this past week and I can't decide which to go with. They both look great new but years from now which will hold up better? HELP!

If you can't decide between JPS & VS...How about an IM!

I have 2003 VS myself and love it! If money wasn't an issue (got NY MegaMillions tickets in my pocket) I would have gone North for sure.

Looking at the list of JPS & VS owners. I don't think you would have any problems with either one. Go with your gut. Which owner gave you the best feeling.

Good luck with your decision - M

Where do you live? This may help you make up your mind. Sothern Cali Vintage "GREAT PRICE" easy resale.
Nothern Cali JPS "GREAT PAINT AND BODY WORK"
Way up north get an IM if you got the money.
You see, if you buy from a local builder you can always stop in and add on a new this or a new that. Just ask Vince he is the new shop Whore over at Vintage. He got a new muffler 2 weeks ago then some new head lamp stone gards and even a new banjo steering weel. But it's all good and his car looks and sounds great. Kirk is so easy to work with. furthermore, he will always tell you like it is and never short change you on a deal like other local builders will. And that's all I have to say about that.
MRDS

I own John's first JPS he's ever sold. A couple of people with your same question dropped by to see my car. After checking it out, everyone who made a decision went with the JPS. They all said, how amazed they were at the fresh look it still had after all those years of really tough driving.

I live in NorCal if you're interested in dropping by to see it.

David

You should also consider Thunder Ranch.

www.thunderranch.com/

And on the speedsterowners website "Forums" do a keyword search using the term Thunder Ranch.

I myself own an Intermecchanica model & obsolutely love it. With that being said, I'm gonna agree with what David had to say. If you're located in the SoCAl area, it's imperative you build a good repoire with the local builders.
I've had the pleasure of doing business with both Vintage & JPS. Though all my dealings with both companies have been pleasureable, Kurt @ Vintage did seem to go out of his way for my personal needs. Hence, Kurt has been recieving my business for the past few months I've owned my replica.

I checked out the Thunder Ranch website but can't seem to find Speedsters; they do Spyders, though, along with some other model replicas.

being close to the "creator" is mighty important, as David has mentioned.....never know when you may want to make a change, and
its so much more convenient....
I'll restate what I have said before, Can't see spending 30K
when I can get the same basic package for 20K, intermeccanica
may be a better product, but 10K better has to be a stretch...
then of course some people have nothing better to do with their money...These cars are basically expensive VW's..don't forget that..
David, I am not a whore, Slut would be closer to the truth....

Ricardo Baerga:

Go to the FORUM Section click on "EVENTS", Look for Speedster50th Anniversary scroll down near the bottom of the string.

Photos of Chuck Franklin's red 356 Speedster are posted there. The one with the Beehive tialights and the yellow 911 fan shroud. It's a Thunder Ranch produced Speedster.

Bill; I checked it and it's pretty neat; I wonder why they don't advertise it in the website.

A couple of weeks ago I asked Theron to add them to the vendor names on the registry. He said he was very busy and didn't have the time.

Bill,
They've been in the Vendor section for about 2 weeks.
-=theron

I meant why Thunder Ranch doesn't advertise the Speedster on their website....

Let me say up-front that I am currently having my SECOND Speedster built by John Steele at JPS Motorsports. Three years ago, when I was investigating the replica manufacturers before ordering a car, I met Kirk Duncan at Vintage Speedsters and John Steele at JPS Motorsports. I looked at their cars. I noticed differences in their approach to the finished product that were significant to me. Admittedly, these differences were mostly in "the details," but those details made my decision to go with JPS an easy one.
Both Vintage and JPS make great Speedsters. If I may "generalize" and state what are my "impressions" - Vintage will make you a car in a few weeks (or less); JPS will take longer. Deviations from the "normal" build are welcomed at JPS; Vintage will do them, but it's not part of their usual business plan. Prices are competitive between the two companies and both JPS and Vintage have been very good about standing behind their products.
Thunder Ranch is a newcomer to the Speedster market. Bill George is a real pioneer, being among their first Speedster customers. I can't wait to see his finished car. I'm sure TR will make a beautiful Speedster, but they are new to the market and thus difficult to evaluate. I'd be inclined to wait until they've put a few Speedsters on the road.
Bottom line? If you can, go meet Kirk and John. Ask them questions about what you're trying to accomplish. Look at their finished products to see if the differences are important or even noticable to you. Either way you decide, for around $25,000 either company can build you a great little car.
Henry Reisner at Intermeccanica in Vancouver makes a much more sophisticated vehicle at a price-point that's considerably higher than the Southern California builders. IMs are beautiful cars, but contain ammenities that original Speedsters never had.

Well put John.
One feature I would like to see added somehow to this site would be the ability to review our car/builder impressions after about a year (or a couple sunny seasons for you folks in the colder regions).

I think for those visiting this site for referrals it would be a big plus. I think for builders it could be a bit of a wake-up call. I think for Theron it would probably be more work...but less redundant forum fodder.
Just my $37K worth

Paul and all thinking about ratings,

I have had my JPS exactly a year now and rated it a perfect 10 at that time,(2 days after delivery.)I think Paul has an excellent idea here, I know I would modify the ratings on a couple of the items I have found to be somewhat under a ten. It has nothing to do with the build quality but several trim items could be of better quality. No fault of the builder but of the supplier. Maybe the builders can't get certain quality pieces any longer, certainly understandable. A further suggestion to Theron on this issue, if we could list the areas that we are unhappy with, ie: bumper guards,wheels, or whatever, then if enough people responded with the same list the builders could try and correct them. All if at a reasonable cost of course. Over time I think a common "hit" list would emerge. Future builds would benefit from this info.

Just my thoughts, Bruce

Phong - I was in a similiar situation two months ago and after talked to several vendors (Beck in Balwin Park, JPS, and VS); chatting w/helpful folks on this wonderful forum, I'd decided and went with John Steele at JPS.

If you're in So Cal, visit their shops:
- VS is located in Hawaii Garden, CA
- JPS is located in Burbank, CA
- Beck is located in Balwin Park, CA

...shb

Phong, Thunder Ranch IS new to building the Speedster model as several have stated. However many of their other models are (multiple) award winners. They manufacture both bodies and tube frames in San Diego they are not imported therefore excellent quality control. Endless accessory options.

With that said I will continue this thread in the "classified" section if you want more info. about TR

Chuck Franklin

You can always edit your profile, and should as you're impression changes. But I wholeheartedly agree that the ratings as presently configured are pretty unreliable as a guide for a new buyer.

Case in point- new registered owners who give their cars ALL 10s!!! before they have even taken delivery. How would they know? Remember Dale Farmer? His car was ALL 10s!!!, until he got rid of it, when it became "a piece of #%^* from day one". Do I really care what someone like that thinks? I'm a really picky guy- my 8 is another man's 10!!!!!- is everyone on the same page with the ratings? Perhaps at renewal time for your contribution, the slate ought to get wiped clean, and a guy could re-evaluate his ratings. Some rating for mechanical reliability would be good too, although the rating would be skewed by expectations. A VW flat 4 with solid lifters is not going to be as maintenance free as a Honda (or Subaru- Johnny 2 bolts)

That brings up another point- how am I going to compare a pan-based car to John H's subi-tub? I may as well compare my daughters Miata to my Speedster- they really are two different cars. Let's see, how to compare a mid-engined, water cooled, rack and pinion cabriolet with an air-cooled, rear-engined, VW motored, pan-based Speedster. Well... they both have 4 wheels and some porsche badges...

The bottom line is- visit the builders, or go to a show and check out the cars from various builders. You'll have a much clearer impression of each of them after looking at a couple. I'm happy with the choice I made, but I got lucky- I had ZERO frame of reference.

Theron:

Your post above indicates you added Thunder Ranch to the "vendor section" two weeks ago.

I just went to the registry to up-date the "manufacturer" of my 356 to reflect the builder is Thunder Ranch.

On my computer the drop down list doesn't have Thunder Ranch as a builder yet. Am I confused? Where did you add Thunder Ranch?

Thanks,

Bill

Relax Bill, Thunder Ranch is listed, but not in the top group of manufacturers. Look in the second group.

According to what the webmeister posted, he is waiting for additional information to be received from Thunder Ranch. It could be the hold-up is on Thunder Ranch's end not with the webmeister.

I took a tranquilizer, now I'm relaxed, thanks.

My request of Theron was that he add Thunder Ranch to in the REGISTRY drop down list of "manufacturers". He has added them to the list of
MAKERS (see tab above). But any progress is welcome.

It looks like our failure to communicate is semantic.

Bill, you either OWN thunder ranch or are getting a handsome kick-back
with all the energy you are spending on their behalf...
Lighten up dude.........its only a frigging car

Bill,
In the various updates I forgot to add that one line of code. It is there now. There is still one more problem with the rating code. I will look at it tonight as the total doesn't read correctly right now.
-=theron

Theron, Thank you.

Vince Manto:

I am about two weeks away from delivery of my Thunder Ranch Speedster.

In the '70's I visited Automobili Intermechanica, Henrys father

P.S. it's not "only a frigging car" It's a SPEEDSTER!

Bill George is a good guy. The fact that he's proud of his decision to have TR build his Speedster is no different than any of the rest of us felt as we waited for our cars to arrive.
I can't wait to see (ride in) Bill's Speedster and have him join us on our Saturday morning Camarillo Airport Cafe runs for breakfast.
And, Bill, Vince doesn't like it when everyone (anyone?) is NICE on this website so, he loves to "stir the pot."
Oh, and did everyone notice that John Steele at JPS Motorsports is now a "Supporting Sponsor" complete with "banner ad" at the top of the page? Sorry, couldn't resist.

I don't know. The subject of this thread was a perspective buyer is considering a Vintage or JPS and he can't decide which one to buy. Another buyer who hasn't received his car yet but makes and has made empassioned endorcements of an as yet undelivered car. Am I missing something here? The cake hasn't been fully baked, its still in the oven, but dang-nation, it is about the best cake I have ever just about eaten.

Seems to me if everyone who was passionate about their cars vs another manufacturer, this site would self-destruct into a running verbal tug of war, as has happened at most other sites.

I would suggest a separate topic re "Thunder" Ranch should have been started rather than splicing onto this thread.

So how many speedsters has Thunder Ranch produced?

John,

I noticed the banner logo tonight. Got a feeling VS can't be far behind! I guess it is good for the site as the additional $$ can always be put to further improvements. Look at it as an educational tool for prospective buyers. Fun to look at the gallery since my car is there, LOL.

Bruce

This has nothing to do with the JPS Vs VS Q... so I am on track with this thread.

I would just like to let everyone know that Mr. John Steele donated the profit off a pair of seats I bought to a cause I am promoting. And, even more amazing, he donated all parts profits for a week to help save a young girl's life.

Pretty damn cool, eh? I can see why John Leader likes the guy. I do too.

Jim Ward
2001 VS Owner
Maybe building something soon... VS, JPS, IM, TR, or a coupe? Who knows?

Phong,

So, what have you decided? Haven't seen you listed as one of our newest owners, yet???

Come on, Dude. Summer's almost over!

MM

Geez...and my wife just blames my memory lapses on "early onset Alzheimer's"

Bill,
I'm just now getting around to reading this thread since my last outburst.
John is correct, I do like stiring up trouble.. I could care less who you support and for what reason, I don't care how your car is accessorized or how much you spent. I will always have something to say, and it will usually be negative, especially when someone is so
excited about something as you were about Thunder Ranch, you have to admit you were a real pest about them.......
You will never hear me put down anyone's ride, I'm a car guy like the rest of you, my car is far from the best on this site, quite the contrary, mine is basically bone stock with a few mods to keep up with traffic, very dependable, and I love it....As I'm sure you feel the same about yours, If I was able to upset you in any way then I
have done my job......."Thank you very much" (heavy elvis accent)

Amen Vince.

Gordon, it's my duty to make each member feel younger. I really had seen Mike's pics about a week ago and didn't look at his pic with the post... so it only took a week to forget it.

Now, where in the hell are my keys? Gayla!

Mike, I too am waiting to see.

BTW did I see your car in a recent issue of something, or maybe a pic post at a site with your Speedster parked inbetween a couple of coupes at a show or meet up? I sure like your color and engine selection. How is she holding up?

Edit; Damn!!! NOW, I know where I saw that pic! It's right on your post above. Maybe I should call the clinic and get these meds smoothed out.

Snark, garbbled, glitch, Big Dogs, Big Dogs.

miJ

Hey, Jimbo.

Didn't I mention one of my JPS options was omnipresence.

Running great, just had my 6K service and she's tight as a drum. I'm off from my initial 3(leave as is), (leave as is)nights per week detailing to now every Friday. Starting to venture outside my little 60(leave as is), (leave as is)mile circle of existence; next week Lake Arrowhead with Vince and David, September a Bay Area run for the NCKCC show, and if that goes well, I'm considering heading up to Bruce W's territory in October.

Any more honeys adorning your hood ornament? I heard you and Theron had a nasty break up after Knotts - well, you'll always have Orange County...

Hope this post finds you in the pink (get your mind out of the gutter, geez!).

Take Care, Buddy.

Mike McSween