Help on build quality of JPS coupes

JPS has gone though various changes, they put out a better ride than previously. If you would like an enjoyable experience and that being said,  Greg at  Vintage Motorcars and Carey at Special Edition are now doing coupes and both have great customer support.

" I know the pluses and minuses of real vs replica better than most. "

I'm interested in what you feel are the pluses of a real 356 over a replica with Subaru or P motor?

How about 250,000 pluses @ $1 each?  

Thank you Alan.  I was not aware of options.  I could find Vintage Motorcars and I'll drill down tomorrow.  Is Special Edition same as Beck?

Happy New Year

Rick

Sorry WNGD I'm not going down that rabbit hole.  I'm not here to proselytize. 

rhart posted:

Thank you Alan.  I was not aware of options.  I could find Vintage Motorcars and I'll drill down tomorrow.  Is Special Edition same as Beck?

Happy New Year

Rick

Special Edition and Beck are the same

Hasn't Beck sold out their coupe builds for the next year?

Greg in California makes 356 pre A, with the center radio speaker and two instrument dash, not the 356A dash of the 59's.

Carey Hines, makes a C body style and I believe others make A bodies and A dashes. 

BTW, I owned a 59 356A when I was young my Intermeccanica Roadster with 911 front end is a pretty awesome build that I drive all over.  

For me, they have great advantages to the originals.

On this list, you'll find that we don't really care what you drive or own we like to enjoy our rides and encourage each other in the hobby.

Welcome to the madness.  

I would certainly contact all three Coupe manufacturers and do some research.  here is what I (think I) know at present:

• JPS Coupes are mostly pan-based and mimic the 356A body style as Ray mentioned above.  They are available with VW or Subaru power.  All are rear-engine.  Reports indicate that build quality has improved significantly over the early ones, but customer support - not a strong point in the past - is an unknown.  Any current owners want to chime in here?
• As Ray said above, Vintage In CA, (Greg Leach) produces a Pre-A Coupe that is (I am pretty sure) only on a VW pan.  I have no information on how many have been produced, but I believe several are in progress, including one by a member of this forum.  Several Vintage Spyder owners are very happy with build quality and reports are that customer support has been excellent.  Anyone with more info, please fill in the blanks.
• The Beck Super Coupe is a bit of an outlier, with a custom chassis incorporating modern A-arm, coil-over suspension, rack and pinion steering, etc.  They are available in rear or mid-engine configuration using a unique engine cradle design, and can use VW, Porsche, or Subaru drive trains.  They are based on the C-series body style, but the track is 2" wider and the wheelbase is 2" longer for better handling.  Chuck Beck wants this to be a serious sports car.  The first two prototypes are on the road, and the first production unit (mine) is sloooowly making its way through the build-up process.  The car is fairly complex and they want to get it right.  The first few will all be mid-engine, Subaru powered cars with A/C and power windows.  Once they have the build process down pat they will mix in some of the other configurations.  I have been told that there are quite a few pre-orders, so I would check with them for delivery estimates.  As for customer support, they have been long considered to be among the best in the business.  Frankly, many of the folks here (myself included) consider them close friends
• Specialty Autosports - NOT RECOMMENDED!  'nuff said.

Great overview.  Thanks Lane

Yeah, I totally agree with Lane:  Staying away from "Specialty Auto Sports " in Tennessee.

They have a very well documented history on here of taking hefty deposits and follow-on payments and delivering nothing.  Lots of court action, not a lot of cars.  People who own their earlier cars (and they are few) seem to like them and they were/are, for the most part, well made but each one is a unique one-off and harder to maintain.

There is one other builder out in there, a dentist who's also a car guy ( http://kitmanmotors.com .  He produces just coupe kits, no turn-key cars, and the quality is said to be excellent.   

Welcome to the group!

JPS site lists a 12 month build time for the coupe. Doesn't seem their promised build dates are really valid though.

Another alternative is used.  You do see JPS Coupes with both T1 and Subaru on used market. Frequently at Beverly Hills Motors (although advertised might not really be in stock) and place in Atlanta, GA (forgot name).  Another remote alternative (not many made with production stopping mid-'80s) is a Brazilian Envemo Coupe.  Like Lane/Gordon said avoid new build with SAS/SAW - but there are a few used showing up once in a while. 

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/cl...etail.php?id=2112249

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/cl...etail.php?id=2094910

BTW, Kevin Hines - one of the founders of Special Edition (Beck) - was involved with the Envemo cars, and they used some of that knowledge on the new Super Coupe, although its body mold was taken from a real 356C that was modified by Chuck for the extended wheelbase and rear track. 

Kevin's son Carey (@chines1) is now running Special Edition on a daily basis, and is a frequent visitor to this site.  Care to sell another Coupe, Carey?  Do I get a commission? 

I now agree with Gordon, Lane and others about SAS/SAW's business practices. I was lucky enough to get my Cabriolet after a 3 1/2 year wait. I was filled with anxiety through the whole process, but am satisfied with my car. It's been 11 years since I drove my new car away from SAS and have close to 30,000 miles of trouble free driving. Five round trip drives to Carlisle from South Florida and numerous Tail of The Dragon runs have kept me young in spirit. Not all SAS/SAW cars are the quality or reliability of mine but those are few in number. I once had thoughts of selling mine but every time I go in the garage I quickly changed my mind. Can't wait for driving weather to return, there's still a lot of neighboring Tennessee we have haven't explored.

Well said Lane. 

I want to add that Carey was very gracious with his time, and made a few suggestions to me and even took my calls when I had an issue with my car which he did not build.  

On top of that llving north of the 49th it is pretty much a given that I can never buy a Beck unless of course I move south.  Or get a coupe and keep it in the south  

He is a real supported of this hobby/market.  

@Lane Anderson @rhart i have kept my powder dry for a year now...and since my warranty is now over (AS IF I HAD ONE that would be honored)...i feel now is the time....JPS aka john steele lied and bullshitted me for a year & 1/2 after telling me 6 months for the car (and to be fair & balanced, he moved his life & business to san marcos during that time)...still not a reason to be untruthful at nearly every turn about things.......he actually threatened me more than once to STOP WORK on my car if i didn't stop 'bothering" him & his workers....the day of delivery he said i was an A@@HOLE to my face and was glad to be rid of me....i touched one f his other cars in the shop and he said to me "don't touch my cars, YOURS is over there!....he did A LOT Of shortcuts in wiring used some cheap parts...put the rubber seals on the wipers wrong and it RAINED INSIDE MY CAR the first night i had it BIG TIME!...he put a 50 yr old WORN OUT SHIFT ROD in my car and pretty much gave me the FINGER when i called him on it...i had a HOT ROD GUY here in simi go through the whole car and it is now well sorted out and a very nice car...but if i had to do it all over again?....well, lets say....perhaps NOT!....he can be a very ANGRY MAN & complete KNOW IT ALL....my advice is AVOID HIM...and buy one of his cars used after it has been sorted out....i can go on & on...but i think that gives that want to know a clue...i'll be glad to elaborate to all those that want to ask questions about john boy aka DR. JECKLE & MR HYDE now that i have nothing to lose in dealing with him

www.rcnmag.com/garage/wisdom-teeth        is the link to my mid engine, Subie powered 356 /Coupe.  It is a complete "one off" from the chassis on up.  Just for some ideas and reference  points.

I do sell 356 Coupe bodies, sub chassis and two different chassis styles at 

www.kitmanmotors.com        BUT, Kitman Motors does not build turnkey cars.

There are many very competent builders out there that can build a great car for you.  It just depends on EXACTLY what you WANT and what you are willing to PAY FOR and how PATIENT you will be with your time and efforts to have your 356 dream car. 

Private message me if you have any additional questions. 

 " It starts with a Dream and a Budget"     Happy New Year to All,    Dr. Chris

Nolan posted:

I now agree with Gordon, Lane and others about SAS/SAW's business practices. I was lucky enough to get my Cabriolet after a 3 1/2 year wait. I was filled with anxiety through the whole process, but am satisfied with my car. It's been 11 years since I drove my new car away from SAS and have close to 30,000 miles of trouble free driving. Five round trip drives to Carlisle from South Florida and numerous Tail of The Dragon runs have kept me young in spirit. Not all SAS/SAW cars are the quality or reliability of mine but those are few in number. I once had thoughts of selling mine but every time I go in the garage I quickly changed my mind. Can't wait for driving weather to return, there's still a lot of neighboring Tennessee we have haven't explored.

@Nolan picture of your SAS please?

Lane Anderson posted:

BTW, Kevin Hines - one of the founders of Special Edition (Beck) - was involved with the Envemo cars, and they used some of that knowledge on the new Super Coupe, although its body mold was taken from a real 356C that was modified by Chuck for the extended wheelbase and rear track. 

Kevin's son Carey (@chines1) is now running Special Edition on a daily basis, and is a frequent visitor to this site.  Care to sell another Coupe, Carey?  Do I get a commission? 

@Lane Anderson Any new update picture of your coupe?

Here's a link to Nolan's SAS.  I got to ride with him in it at one of Carlisle or Pumpkin Runs.  Outstanding car.

https://www.speedsterowners.co...ing-my-sas-cabriolet

https://www.specialtyauto.com/...s_356a_cabriolet.htm

WOLFGANG posted:

Here's a link to Nolan's SAS.  I got to ride with him in it at one of Carlisle or Pumpkin Runs.  Outstanding car.

https://www.speedsterowners.co...ing-my-sas-cabriolet

https://www.specialtyauto.com/...s_356a_cabriolet.htm

@WOLFGANG Nolan still smiling. Thanks for the link

jncspyder posted:

@Lane Anderson @rhart i have kept my powder dry for a year now...and since my warranty is now over (AS IF I HAD ONE that would be honored)...i feel now is the time....JPS aka john steele lied and bullshitted me for a year & 1/2 after telling me 6 months for the car (and to be fair & balanced, he moved his life & business to san marcos during that time)...still not a reason to be untruthful at nearly every turn about things.......he actually threatened me more than once to STOP WORK on my car if i didn't stop 'bothering" him & his workers....the day of delivery he said i was an A@@HOLE to my face and was glad to be rid of me....i touched one f his other cars in the shop and he said to me "don't touch my cars, YOURS is over there!....he did A LOT Of shortcuts in wiring used some cheap parts...put the rubber seals on the wipers wrong and it RAINED INSIDE MY CAR the first night i had it BIG TIME!...he put a 50 yr old WORN OUT SHIFT ROD in my car and pretty much gave me the FINGER when i called him on it...i had a HOT ROD GUY here in simi go through the whole car and it is now well sorted out and a very nice car...but if i had to do it all over again?....well, lets say....perhaps NOT!....he can be a very ANGRY MAN & complete KNOW IT ALL....my advice is AVOID HIM...and buy one of his cars used after it has been sorted out....i can go on & on...but i think that gives that want to know a clue...i'll be glad to elaborate to all those that want to ask questions about john boy aka DR. JECKLE & MR HYDE now that i have nothing to lose in dealing with him

So it seems despite John Boy's life changing medical issues it did squat for his mind set toward his fellow mankind.  So many have had negative experiences one would think he would wake up and realize the financial impact it has had on his business and I'll bet he can't spell..... integrity.  Perhaps one day someone will serve what he so deserves,  in the meanwhile avoid him like a pot hole.

@Alan Merklin   you are correct sir!...he shouldn't be in the business he is in if he HATES PEOPLE & has ZERO CONSCIENCE.... and whats worse is he DOES NOT CARE.....at this point i'm thankful he has been rendered just a PAINFUL MEMORY

We owned a JPS Coupe for several years, dealing with John was an absolute nightmare. He deffenitly has a very severe personality disorder. I had it on the service rack where I had my Porsche 912 serviced, and found a pair of vice grips holding parts together !!  BTW, we sold it to Beverly Hills Motor Cars where it is still on their web-site since 2013 !!

@jncspyder  " i have kept my powder dry for a year now." 

Now that is quite the statement !    

One of the most beautiful coupes I've seen was at the West Coast gathering this year in SLO, built by Greg.  The owner just picked it up from Greg (in Hawaiian Gardens), drove it north to SLO, did our 250-mile ride, and drove it back to the Sacramento area after.  

We hear horror stories on this forum about "sorting" immediately after delivery of a new speedster/coupe/spyder.  This car was driven (what I guess) close too 750-miles after purchase.  

@Kevin i agree...LUV that car!....yours is way kewl as well

Thanks JNC and others impugning JPS.  This is information I was looking for.  In my brief contact with him years ago I had a hunch there were issues.  A very bad guy it turns out....Happy to find this out before making the wrong decision.  Looks like Greg at Vintage or Beck are keeping the good turnkey cars coming. 

@rhart  long wait times for a subie coupe for all builders...ck out SOUTH ATLANTA MOTORSPORTS ...owner named brian...he usually has a couple of johns cars...and can add to the saga with 1st hand info

rhart posted:

Thanks JNC and others impugning JPS.  This is information I was looking for.  In my brief contact with him years ago I had a hunch there were issues.  A very bad guy it turns out....Happy to find this out before making the wrong decision.  Looks like Greg at Vintage or Beck are keeping the good turnkey cars coming. 

"impugning JPS"

Well... you will do ok here Rhart, we have a newspaper writer and an erudite HVAC from Stanisland, who continually try to raise the linguistic bar here.  

@rhart  When I first was looking for a replica, I wanted a coupe.  I eventually got an IM roadster with roll up windows and real waterproof top and I am glad I got to experience top down driving.  Always had hardtops before including my 59 356A Coupe.  Tom Boney has a subie very recent build which is for sale as far as I know. 

Just saying. 

IaM-Ray posted:

@rhart  When I first was looking for a replica, I wanted a coupe.  I eventually got an IM roadster with roll up windows and real waterproof top and I am glad I got to experience top down driving.  Always had hardtops before including my 59 356A Coupe.  Tom Boney has a subie very recent build which is for sale as far as I know. 

Just saying. 

@IaM-Ray when you experience no top there is no going back lol

Wow!  That white Pre-A Greg built is beautiful! 

@calmotion - No pictures in a couple of weeks.  I reached out to him today, but I'll bet he's still enjoying the holidays.

@rhart - Check out my thread in the Vendor Specific forum titled "Lane's Beck Super Coupe #3" for details on my build.

calmotion posted:

IaM-Ray posted:

@rhart  When I first was looking for a replica, I wanted a coupe.  I eventually got an IM roadster with roll up windows and real waterproof top and I am glad I got to experience top down driving.  Always had hardtops before including my 59 356A Coupe.  Tom Boney has a subie very recent build which is for sale as far as I know. 

Just saying. 

@IaM-Ray when you experience no top there is no going back lol

Baaaaaaaaaaa

I also own a 2019 JPS Coupe as JNC does. It is probably the most turn key replica out there, as they have built many.

I have a good car and drove 1100 miles in the first ten days in shake down. JPS re-torqued twice, and took care of minor issues. It hauls ass.

Not everybody can deal with John ...I managed to ...He can be tough. Will I recommend him??? I would say it depends on what kind of person you are. Patient? Ok with a lax build schedule? Do you know how to 'reach' people? Or do you want it now, with time stamps... I wont make excuses for John. He is who he is. I do know he is probably 70 plus years old (just a guess). He won't be around forever. There is probably one young person in the building to continue JPS in the years ahead. Or it will be gone. Currently, right now, I see the biggest crew ever in his shop, building. I hope for the best.

Anyone know what became of the Posies coupe we saw at Carlisle? 

Here is a link to Greg's Pre-A bent window coupe:

https://www.vintagemotorcarsin...pre-a-coupe-turnkey/

And here is a link to Carey's website but it doesn't have current info on the coupe because it's so new and he's got orders for the next year already. You'll have to contact him directly:

http://www.beckspeedster.com/homepage.html

edsnova posted:

Anyone know what became of the Posies coupe we saw at Carlisle? 

@Chuck Martin    Chuck will know...……..

Posie sold his JPS ,Subaru powered coupe to a gentleman in Ohio. Posie recently returned from a high line auto auction in Saudi Arabia. He along with 400 others along with various autos (Yes including hot rods) were shipped over , and back if not sold. All expenses picked up by Saudi Government for ten days. Posie shipped his "Orange Crate", a highly modified 1956 Ford Station Wagon with a giant engine over, unfortunately it did not sell.

Posie (who is somewhat eccentric,  I mean that in the nicest way) said that he could not find one thing to complain about, they were all treated like royalty (no pun intended). The Saudis even hosted a gigantic Thanksgiving meal for all that included everything we enjoy here in the States.

Chuck