vw base v custom chassis?

Hello

Im new to the 356 world and looking to sell turn key cars and componet cars .My question is what to sell,vw base that on face value looks cheaper,but i doubt there is much in it?Or a custom chassis with a water cooled engine.There seems to be benifits on both sides but not watching closely the 356 scene its difficult to predict where the market is moving to?..Is everyone looking for the custom chassis or does the initial low investenet of the vw route hook the majority?


I would appreciate any feed back you can give us.

Kind Regards

John, I would suggest that you click on the Maker's tab above and contact the individual companies that are involved in the production of 356 replica cars. They would be the best ones to answer your question about getting involved in the sale of turnkey and component car kits.

The rest of your question about pan v. tube frame and air-cooled v. water-cooled has been discussed ad nauseum on the site. You can use the search function and probably uncover most of the answers. Keep in mind that each buyer or group of buyers has their own personal reasons for what they have chosen to purchase and will likely put forward a good argument to substantiate their decision.

Welcome to the world of replica 356 cars. It's fun stuff!
Hoss

Hi Hoss

Thanks for the reply and i appreciate your feedback,ive spent a lot of time talking to the suppliers and have a direction i think is the best. But by asking for what is customer feedback i hope to cement my potential decision.


I look forward to getting involved in the 356 world in the near future.

Kind Regards

John

Along with the question of tube vs pan based cars, you really ought to open up a discussion on type I vs type IV engines as well . . . the best Speedster possible is going to be a combination of a lot of various components and it's important to get as many opinions as possible.

Along with the type of chassis and engine, you'll need to find out the best builder. I know that there's someone named like, Jack Rabbit, or something, who dabbles in type IVs and haunts the forum. Lots of "experts" which is why you'll need to ask opinions of everyone on everything.

Also for consideration.... will someone who is 6'2" really fit in one.

Probably.....but they won't be able to put the top up.....

Hi Thanks for the replys to date.

Whats the feeeling genrally about non vw running gear and engines?..i would think that the handeling genrally would or should be much better on a properly designed chassis.Also the biggerer engines and brake options seem to offer much better performance.Does this distract to much from its origins or are most people just wanting the best performace with authentic looks? and do not really care that its moved away from the original?

John

As you so rightly said modern components make the car perform better than originally intended. I, for one, chose the VW air cooled pan/drivetrain combo because it's closer to the original 356 design but that, of course, will depend on each customer's desires and expectations. My view on the subject is that the supplies of VW pans are drying up so custom chassis with air cooled VW or Porsche drivetrains a la Beck or newer Intermec or with water cooled drivetrains a la SAW or some new Intermecs are definitely the wave of the future.

Any connection to the Autocraft Cobra company?

If you are planning a liquid-cooled car, then I think most of these customers are going to expect a custom chassis and upgraded components. It is just the nature of this type of customer. It is also going to be more work up front, but worth it in the long term.

What are you thinking of for the drivetrain?

Big advantage of using a titled VW pan is the ease of registering the completed vehicle and meeting (or being exempt from) emissions hassles. There are a lot of sharp modern roadsters out there for less $ than a well prepared replica Speedster (like Mazda Miata/MX5 or even the hot Mustang convertible). SO I think for 75% of owners, the nostalgia of the VW based vehicle is the draw - heck, many go for the old swing axel rear and the wide-5 look.

That's me Wolf!

Hi Thanks again for the info.

We are not Autocraft the old cobra company, however we do build the CAV GT40.Im looking for a new car to add to our range hence the questions on the forum.I dont intend to make my own as there are many good cars already i just wanted to make sure my choice is a informed as it possibly could.I hope in the future to bring a US product to the UK shores...If anything it will test the hood seals!

I will keeep in touch and let you know how it all pans out.

Thanks

John

The 'old' swing axle, eh, Wolf?
John, I think you should localize your search to a 25-mile radius of Boston. There is a hot-rodder up there who can make anything out of nothing, as long as you like brown cars.
Jack Rabbit. How is he? Did he catch that RAT yet?