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Panhandle Bob posted:

If I were having a car built, and it was a perfect world, I would be visiting the builder at crucial points in the build out, chassis completed, body painted and engine install etc., and spend a week driving it near the builder's location to sort it.

Unfortunately, that would mean a lot of money in airline tickets and hotel bills. It's not so much about trust, but about involvement in the process. I'd try real hard not to make the builder nuts.

 

I am doing exactly as you say Bob. The goal is to not bother him while he's building, answer his questions when he has them, and to be there for the crucial points in the build. ...Whatever he needs. Seat fitting, trim packages, etc. I can and will fly and/or drive to see this car getting built. If I can afford this car, I can afford to fly and see it whenever needed. I will be braking it in for a week around his area (next year). He will then go through it. I will trailer it back to Washington state.

It becomes quite a list spec'ing out a car to your/my personal desires. I want a trick/personal build, yet streamlined so as not to be 'that pain in the ass car'. IE making for a smooth build by the builder.

John at JPS can do a lot of crazy cool stuff. As far as time lines go, the tricker he builds the car, the more time and cost it will be. He had 18 cars in his shop, so its possible you could wait a period of time before your build even starts. Some say he builds on a price point. He has a basic package price, and all the extras do cost you more. The sky is the limit. All the cars at Johns shop have very good quality in my eye. My wife said she would own any one of them! (she even tempted me with his/her cars lol)

I got a spin in a 180 HP Subie Speedster. Let me tell you, it hauls ass. 4 wheel discs bring it down. It felt tight.

I am a positive communicating person... Deposit down!

Last edited by MaxMartens
Banzai Pipeline posted:
MaxMartens posted:

I did yes, or at least interested and talking to a salesman. There were issues we bartered on. Atlanta was who I was bidding against, and I balked because the fiberglass at the front hood hinge was busted up due to the hood being open/closed improperly...  I know more than this but I cannot say any more.

In the end, I am inline for a JPS to be built to my wishes, which is a good topic in itself.

Good luck on your build...hope to see pics as it evolves. Sometimes a lost deal is a blessing....hindsight....but sometimes you need to JUMP IN and hope there's air in the life jacket

Thanks Bonzai. Yes pics hopefully. Five months is the estimated build time. It happens over the winter. I have plenty to do to keep me busy for the most part so time passes!

No surprises on my build... An outlaw coupe with my power choice, my transmission choice, good brakes, my interior choices, and then my own trim package.

Interior and exterior choices make the statement going down the road or parked somewhere. Proper mechanicals are important to 'meet the need'.

I want high performance, with creature comforts for the wifey. That will start with headrests! 

Can't wait to tour with our neighbor/friend Bart, next year.

I think you will love it....mine is the first and the only one I have seen and ....of all the cars I have indulged myself with....one of my all time favorites.  

Coupes Rule for me.... especially when it comes to Porches real or replicas.  I like the protection from the sun and the cold. And the look.

I am excited for the both of you and that "his and hers"  hint might be a harbinger of things to come...everyone that sees one is enthusiastic about them.

I assume John is full of piss and vinegar and enjoying himself again... 

 

 

 

Last edited by bart

I did recently inspect 2 JPS coupes here in Arizona. One for Penske Luxury Autos/Mercedes.. one private seller. Both my clients ended up buying a Henry built Intermeccanica Speedsters that I referred them to. But that write-up was for a SAS Coupe. Also did a write-up on some 356 Coupes coming out of Mexcio, here are some links:

SAS COUPE: http://seductionmotorsports.bo...-cabriolet-speedster

MEXICO (AJ MOTORSPORTS or Rafael (Forget his last name): http://seductionmotorsports.bo...lity-subframes-avoid

Our Pre-A coupes and also Speedsters are finalizing.. just been extremely swamped. Woke up to a surprise the other day, made the cover of USA TODAY - Business. I don't frequent here as much as I would like, after 110-120 work weeks I tend to fall asleep face down on my keyboard. 

Link if anyone is bored: https://www.usatoday.com/story...ar-50-000/554110001/

I had to go to 10 places to find 5 paper copies of the USA Today article, didn't realize how quickly that paper sells out. Felt pretty good to make the front page. 

-Daniel 

I think you start your own thread on poorly built cars or unmaintained by owners cars. Especially being that you are a vendor selling/promoting your brand of replicas. Kind of cheap, and you should move it or delete it. Maybe a buyer beware thread?

It is not a reflection on the builder being mentioned in this thread.

The builder I am working with does not down play other builders cars, instead promoting the high points of their own cars.

Max,

Not the case at all. I explained why they were junk, took pictures, mentioned what would need to be repaired, and let them decide. I could have switched them to our product however maybe you didn't read my last post.. I switched them to Speedsters on the used market which I don't even have in my inventory. I went and test drove some and let them know what I thought. Now why would I switch them to another builder? Quality. Call me cheap, whatever you want, could careless about your opinion. I'm here cause I hate seeing people in the market buy junk. 

You bought what you wanted, good for you. I didn't read this entire thread so I have no clue what you purchased, but congrats! Plenty of excellent Vintage Speedsters, Vintage Spyders, Becks, Intermeccanicas out there. SAS is garbage, JPS has good ones as well. Depends on preference and what the buyer is going to use it for, how much money they want to invest into it, how much garage time they want to spend fixing things and so forth. 

I do inspections all the time and discount, sometimes free inspections for Speedster Owners members. If they rather spend the coin to fly out and get a hotel and see it for themselves, good for them. Anyone is welcome to use my lifts at the shop as well to inspect the underside of a vehicle as well, just schedule it before you visit, that's all I ask. 

I'll keep my reviews up there for educational purposes when someone new without any knowledge is shopping for a replica. I hate seeing junk on the market.

Enjoy your new purchase!

-Daniel 

Very early in my commissioned build (waiting on a tub), but I have my color figured. It is Meteor Grey Metallic. It is the color of the darker tub pictured. I really have gone back & forth on colors... Traditional colors vs something off the wall, yet creative. I'm good with my choice & it will tie in well with the rest of the exterior and interior. I will get to sinister outlaw. 

When Bart & I drive together, I don't want to get our cars mixed up lol.

Hey Bart!

MyMeteorGrey

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  • MyMeteorGrey

We drove it home to Chicago without issue from La to Chicago. Taking route 66 as much as we wanted. This was my one of my bucket list of things I wanted to do. Our Ac blew cold thru the 110 AZ heat. Car never ran hot with the oil cooler supplied. It was all about expectations. I expected to have gremlins. loose clamp here, steering play adjusted there and etc. Over all we are happy and we just passed 7000km since june 25th. Be clear if you want your Speedo to read MPH or KM. I didnt catch that when i sent my build picture request. I dont mind it now it kinda cool.  Service by John is good we had a few gremlins and he stood by his word and my repairs were covered by him. all minimal. no different then buying a new car

If you want a Coupe Kit, take a look at www.kitmanmotors.com    WE HAVE COUPE KITS.  I have a Coupe roller that is almost completed.   I am personally building a Coupe with a mid engine Subie and a custom tube frame.  Learned a lot of what to do and what not to do.  Glad to share my experiences ( chris@klebers.com)

Can also speak with Jonathan about a Kit.  844-356-0356  ,858-663-3718

kitmanmotors.j@gmail.com

Have custom tube chassis/ sub chassis,    and shortened VW restored chassis with subchasssis to fit our Coupe and Speedster Kits.  

Just finished molds for hard tops for Speedsters!!  and carbon fiber Speedster seats.

844-356-0356

Chris Kleber DDS

KitMan Motors

San Diego, CA

chris@klebers.com       kitmanmotors.c@gmail.com

cell 619-889-8337

 

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  • Mid engine Subie Coupe 1: rear view without radiator
  • Mid engine subie Coupe 2: rear view with radiator
  • Coupe  Kit rear view: see www.kitmanmotors.com
  • Coupe - new rear back seat design: see www.kitmanmotors.com
  • Coupe Body subchassis   shortened VW pan: see www.kitmanmotors.com
  • coupe Mid engine cockpit
  • Subie speedster: It can be done!
  • " Yeah, Baby"  Austin Powers in a Speedster
  • Coupe 1

Correct , Bill.... getting closer....been a process......a wedding, house purchase and kitchen remodel pushed the Green Subie Coupe back in the garage for a bit.

Engine is running now. Ramping up for next "push" foward. Windows are next. Looking forward to having a smoking the tires video !

Persevere, my Friends,

Chris Kleber DDS

KitMan Motors, San Diego,CA

www.kitmanmotors.com

It seems the mid engine layout & tube chassis are on the rare side. Its pretty straight forward going rear engine - most issues have been figured out (maybe not Subie cooling issues?)

Custom layout is good (?). So is simple VW/Porsche layout.

I'm thinking (guessing) coolant lines run under a chassis gets in the way of lowering a Subie powered car.

Thoughts?

Gordon Nichols posted:

Yup, Those Cosworth's were killers and sounded like banshees above 7K.  The only decent motor ever put in a Vega!

Oh!  and make sure we see photos of the coupe after paint!

I knew a guy with a SBC Vega. My best man had a V8 Pinto, and I had a '75 Monza with a NO2 350.

The Cosworth wasn't the only good motor ever put in a Vega.

John responded to a question to me today. He does go dark from time to time. My car was assembled during the historic rains in LA. And that pushed my build-out because he couldn't paint. I don't know about the weather down there or the fires with debris in the air.  when I got the picture of my tub it was 5 months to the date finished. 9800kms on mine since July 1st.  Just added brake dust covers and custom headrests

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