How many different companies build Speedster bodies today? I've read about companies that did in the past that are now gone. Do the 4 or 5 companies that build cars today make their own bodies or do they all use the same? Thanks for you reply.
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IM and Beck make their own. Doc Kleber makes his own for his Kitman Motors bodies.
Greg at Vintage makes his own as well, owns the factory in Mexico where his Speedster, Spyder, and pre-A coupe bodies are made.
I don't know who makes the bodies for Arizona Vintage.
Don't give SAW or SAS a dime, Lawing is a scammer.
There are some European builders, but I have no idea who does their bodies.
Years ago several enthusiasts bought the old CMC molds and sometimes splash entire bodies or replacement panels. There is one set of CMC wide-body molds in Tampa/Sarasota FL. The same guy made a Miata based Speedster which was featured in ReinCARnation magazine.
gkgeiger posted:How many different companies build Speedster bodies today? I've read about companies that did in the past that are now gone. Do the 4 or 5 companies that build cars today make their own bodies or do they all use the same? Thanks for you reply.
I would stick with Intermeccanica they have a long history and you will always have better resale value.
Right now, Greg Leach (Vintage California) controls the production of bodies (in a Mexican plant) for at least 3 different SW USA companies (some of which own the molds, and some of which use molds owned by him).
Intermeccanica owns their own molds and produces their own bodies, but has not sold "kits" for at least 30 years.
Special Edition (Beck) owns their own molds, and produces bodies in house.
Kitman in San Diego sells bodies only (no turn-key cars). Not sure where their bodies are produced, but I would suspect in Mexico.
There is a company in Mexico with their own molds and production and a few in Europe. I know almost nothing about either (although Speedster Clinic in England has a good reputation).
I have building my own body, albeit unsuccessfully, for 55 years. Bwaa Haaa
Highlander356 posted:I would stick with Intermeccanica they have a long history and you will always have better resale value.
As well they should- they are easily 2x the cost of others and that is in US $. They announced recently that they were no longer making internal combustion engine cars --- but recanted a couple of months later that they would continue with custom builds. Definitely a great car but a costly entry to Speedster replicas. Even back in 1976 - IM thought about selling kits ($2500) but went with turnkey cars at $13-15k instead.
Did you know that CMC bought out IM's molds and stuff back in the early days? So a CMC/FF is a step-child IM! CMC/FFs are just fine - just depends on the quality of the build/builder.
What is it you are looking for? Are you wanting to build new yourself or have someone build one for you or looking to refurb an abused or unfinished one?
WOLFGANG posted:Highlander356 posted:I would stick with Intermeccanica they have a long history and you will always have better resale value.As well they should- they are easily 2x the cost of others and that is in US $. They announced recently that they were no longer making internal combustion engine cars --- but recanted a couple of months later that they would continue with custom builds. Definitely a great car but a costly entry to Speedster replicas. Even back in 1976 - IM thought about selling kits ($2500) but went with turnkey cars at $13-15k instead.
Did you know that CMC bought out IM's molds and stuff back in the early days? So a CMC/FF is a step-child IM! CMC/FFs are just fine - just depends on the quality of the build/builder.
What is it you are looking for? Are you wanting to build new yourself or have someone build one for you or looking to refurb an abused or unfinished one?
I have a 1977 intermeccanica Porsche Speedster. I want to obtain a certificate of authenticity. I have contacted Intermeccanica and Henry Reisner.
My mechanic totally destroyed my engine due to his incompetence.
The pavlova thickens.
Robert M posted:I have building my own body, albeit unsuccessfully, for 55 years. Bwaa Haaa
Likewise.
I worked hard in the weight room and on the job to build the upper 1/3 for 40 years (+/-), and have been working on the middle 1/3 at the dinner table and on the couch for the last 15 or so.
Highlander356 posted:WOLFGANG posted:Highlander356 posted:I would stick with Intermeccanica they have a long history and you will always have better resale value.As well they should- they are easily 2x the cost of others and that is in US $. They announced recently that they were no longer making internal combustion engine cars --- but recanted a couple of months later that they would continue with custom builds. Definitely a great car but a costly entry to Speedster replicas. Even back in 1976 - IM thought about selling kits ($2500) but went with turnkey cars at $13-15k instead.
Did you know that CMC bought out IM's molds and stuff back in the early days? So a CMC/FF is a step-child IM! CMC/FFs are just fine - just depends on the quality of the build/builder.
What is it you are looking for? Are you wanting to build new yourself or have someone build one for you or looking to refurb an abused or unfinished one?
I have a 1977 intermeccanica Porsche Speedster. I want to obtain a certificate of authenticity. I have contacted Intermeccanica and Henry Reisner.
Good luck with that. I doubt Intermeccanica would have records that far back, and a COA is something you get with a Porsche, not a replica.
Not too many replica owners care about that.
COA certificate optional always, lol
As I said in another thread, Intermeccanica (California) was 3 companies ago. There will be no documentation for a car built 45 years ago.
I would think perhaps what @Highlander356 wants is a MCO (manufacturers certificate of origin) not a COA (certificate of authenticity). A COA for a copy would be... unusual. An Intermeccanica is a very nice copy, but it remains a copy.
Regardless, I think that water is over the dam.
Well if you manage to get one let us know. IMHO, your better off asking to buy an IM badge that will make it as original as it gets.
A super-certified Certificate of Authenticity on a replica?
That's like super-secret double-probation from Animal House LOL!
And like others have said, an MSO from a 40 year-old company is pretty much a pipe dream.
