I initially posted this in the wrong place, sorry!
I have been in love with Speedsters since the 50s. I just finished a pretty complicated build and am going to buy a turnkey. From the research I've done, I've decided the SAS with a 300hp Subaru is my choice. The mid-engine gives better handling and there is a lot of attention to detail. Any SAS owners here for feedback? Thanks, Al
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Well, I've waited over 55 years so far, I'm going to call tomorrow
Al,
Unfortunately, an additional 55 years may be necessary, as there are an unknown number of buyers who have paid deposits, but not gotten cars. SAS will not let others know how many buyers are in the queue. Some of us who survived the queue made a list, and we had 19 definite buyers at last count. Of course, every once in a while, a new members appears on this site or others who has paid a deposit X number of years ago, and no one knew of his presence. SAS will not discuss the number of people waiting. BE VERY CAREFUL. Since Aug. 2013, one car has been completed.
As part your research, contact Carey Hines at Special Edition in Bremen, IN. www.beckspeedster.com. He can build you a Suby Speedster, but won't do turbo in a Speedster because of legitimate technical concerns. I'm having my air-cooled converted to 175 hp NA Suby this winter. You can take whatever he says to the bank.
Does any other builder other than SAS do a mid-engine?
Al W posted:Does any other builder other than SAS do a mid-engine?
Stan Galat, '05 IM, 2276, Tremont, IL posted on 5/12/15:That's it. I'm in the game.
I'm taking orders for mid-engined speedsters, water-tight, and built around a cabon-fiber monocoque. The cars will have a Viper V10 (supercharged and chipped), a Porsche 991 7-speed manual, and push-rod suspension. Vented 4-wheel disc all around. LED lighting, Z-rated tires on Coddington wide-5s, and a curb-weight of less than 2000 lbs.
The price will be $29,999 base, with options from there. We can talk and talk and talk about your ideas. I'll require a 50% deposit up front to hold your space in line, a 27.5% engineering deposit (you know... for engineering), and a 15% deposit for incidentals. You can pay the balance on delivery. Lead time will be right at 2 years, 6 months, and 15 days, give or take a bit.
The deposit needs to be in small, unmarked bills. I'm a crusty old sort, so don't hassle me while I'm brainstorming. It'll make me take longer, or put you to the back of the line (just to prove I can). The queue will remain a mystery, but it's filling up fast. There are just enough people in line already for you to feel comfortable, and few enough to give you hope. I can't get into who's already in line for reasons of confidentiality, but it'll be a bit before I can start on yours.
Meanwhile, I'll be busy sourcing the V10, and testing it in it's donor-car application (Viper). I'll also need to buy a few 991s to get the best possible 7-speed for your car. As a service to you, I'll drive the car for at least 50k mi, just to make sure it's everything I want it to be. I'm also thinking of having the suspension bits fabbed up in Mexico, probably in the Cabo San Lucas area- so I'm going to need to spend 3 or 4 weeks there every winter following up on things, and making sure everything is A-OK. The monocoques are being laid up in Monoco, in the same shops the F1 teams use. I'll need to be there for a couple of months a year as well, to make sure everything stays on track. It should be clear that I'd do anything for you.
Actually, while I was laying out my plans here, I took another order and I'm thinking of a price increase. I'll honor my quote, but you'll need to get me the deposit(s) by Monday noon, or you'll need to pay the price increase. I'd recommend leaving the cash in a Hefty leaf bag behind the dumpster at the One World Coffee and Cargo on Main and University. Call on your burner phone when you make the drop, and I'll have one of my associates pick it up.
I'll get to you soon. Your car is going to be fantastic!
LOL Actually it all sound good except for that heavy ass V10
LOL Actually it all sounds good except for that heavy ass V10
Where are you located Al?
Tucson, AZ
Well, I'm a huge SE fan, but the closest builder to you that appears to make an excellent product (I haven't seen one in person) is Seduction Motorsports.
Thanks Tom
AL W, seriously consider Stan's offer.
There's a much better chance that you'll get a car from him than from SAS - and Stan doesn't build cars.
If you're finding this all a little confusing, keep searching the archives here for 'SAS'.
Whatever you do, DO NOT send them any money, any credit card numbers, your telephone number or address, or even your shoe size.
If you do have some money that you never want to see again, you can send it to me. You see, I've just inherited several million dollars that, unfortunately, is tied up in a bank in your state and I need your help in having it released to me. I'm willing to give you half if you'll first send me a $10,000 handling fee.
To get the ball rolling, send me your full name, street address, social security number, bank account info, and your mother's maiden name.
Al W posted:LOL Actually it all sound good except for that heavy ass V10
Al, Stan may have written that tongue in cheek, but you don't know how close to reality it is (except for the dropping the money off in a Hefty bag by the dumpster; that part was sooo waaay over the top!...
).
Seriously- Read Jim's response again and then forget about giving that guy any money. You will never see your money again and he will never build you a car. Drill the previous sentence into your brain, please! Any more contact with him and we can't help you. I know a 300hp mid engine, Subaru powered Speedster sounds like a small slice of automotive heaven, and it would be if they actually built cars, but they just don't turn them out often enough. Al
PS - Ok, Mitch, that was the laugh of the day!
And you forgot to mention my $5,000 handling fee...
This site is the BEST place to do your research about builders and reputations. Hoping to avoid a flame war, but here's the cliff notes going from low to high in price and quality.
Vintage - VW Pan - SoCal
JPS - VW Pan - SoCal
SE - Custom Chassis - IN
Intermeccanica - Custom Chassis - Vancouver, BC
Seduction Motorsports - Custom Chassis - Phoenix (I don't know where they fall on the price and quality scale, but somewhere in the range of SE & IM).
There is an SAS in Phoenix that was listed on ebay that never met reserve - $17100. It appears to be a dealer. It was hit in rear but appears to only need bumper and over-rider.
If they still have this one, I might take a look at it. It has some bad rear end damage, but it might be repairable.
Tom Blankinship posted:This site is the BEST place to do your research about builders and reputations. Hoping to avoid a flame war, but here's the cliff notes going from low to high in price and quality.
Vintage - VW Pan - SoCal
JPS - VW Pan - SoCal
SE - Custom Chassis - IN
Intermeccanica - Custom Chassis - Vancouver, BC
Seduction Motorsports - Custom Chassis - Phoenix (I don't know where they fall on the price and quality scale, but somewhere in the range of SE & IM).
Well, Tom, IMHO, you have a couple of builders on there that should be switched in position. But no big flames coming from me...this topic has been discussed too many times before.
