Specialty Auto Speedsters

Just hold on you'll get plenty of opinions. But what I read here is nothing has changed.  There are several great builders  here in the states and one in Canada.

Good luck.

Try 7 year wait times. The bankruptcy bit is not an allegation. He talks a good line, but whether he actually builds a car for you is a crapshoot. As I understand (and please, someone correct me if I'm wrong), the last car they completed was in 2013. Think really hard before you give this guy any money; you could do so well elsewhere.

R U N...do not give that guy one cent...there was just a thread here a few weeks ago. If you want a Speedster, Coupe or whatever, do not contemplate SAS. P E R I O D.

Can we please just kill the SAS threads.... they give us replica builders a bad name. 

If you want to throw away $32k and expand your one man wolf pack, I suggest a weekend in Vegas with lots of strippers and blow.

Now if you want a Speedster or Coupe with better parts and performance than a SAS and actually delivered. Email me: daniel@seductionmotorsports.com

^^^^^ That's my new sales pitch... gonna try it out. 

Well, unless money means nothing to you. Give it to Steve, kiss it goodbye.

Actually they don't. They just reinforce ALL the good guys out there that produce cars that get delivered to customers!

SAS, BAD!

CCW,BAD!

Everyone else is pretty reliable and on the up and up. Cars ordered, money taken, cars delivered. You know, GOOD BUSINESS!

I have some land on a bayou in FL I can make you a good deal on!  Mosquitoes as big as UAVs.

I believe there are 22 people ahead of you in the black hole called the "Queue".  If he got even one car done each year (Yeah right) you'll wait 23 years to get your car.  I will have driven a lot of miles in my Vintage Speedster built Vintage Speedster in 23 years.

As others have said, if you're set on an SAS car buy a used one.  At least it has already been built.

Caveat Emptor.

Other builders measure their delivery times in months and don't underestimate - 'nuff said.

Shaun41,

i just noticed you are writing from Malaysia? Then for sure, positively, absolutely you do not need the headache of SAS. Do you understand yet? Perhaps your name indicates your age (41) and as Robert points out above, you want a Speedster before you are 64, correct?

Thanks guys. I'm glad I came across this forum. Was so close to wiring the money over. May I have suggestions for other builders? I'm from Malaysia but reside in the middle east, and I'm looking into a subie motor as I can easily maintain the engine at a dealership over here as opposed to finding someone to take care of a VW one. Also I gets hot here in summer and I'll have to get air conditioning ( don't need heating systems much over here ).

Can't thank you guys enough��

I've registered our builds over in the Middle East, I have all the compliances and rules, parts required to get you one on the road over there. Done it a couple times. Matter of fact, just bought one Spyder back from the UAE. 

I agree, Daniel makes some really nice cars!

If you want a Speedster, Subie powered, you have options Shaun. Just don't give your money away to a shill in Tennessee.

Shaun .... in May 2013 I took delivery as scheduled of my Subaru powered Beck Speedster as built by Special Edition.  Although I never visited the shop before ordering, I had done my research and driven several products from other builders.  I became confident that a Beck would be perfect for my "wants".  It came down to 1) after market service 2) price 3) reliable/timely delivery.  Throughout the build I was kept informed of the progress via emails and pictures.  I am now completing my second year of ownership.  Certainly plenty of time to look back on how good a decision it was.  I can state that for me, I made the right decision.  The car has been great ... of course there are always some issues with a custom hand built car ... but in every case .... Special Edition has gone out of their way even after any warranty expired to be sure any issues are taken care of ..... Carey and and I have spent time on the phone and/or exchanging emails ... and parts have been exchanged to be sure all is well with the car.  There are several very good builders here in the US and Canada.  It is worth your time to include a good look at Special Edition.

Well, as long as we are promoting builders, let's not forget Intermeccanica.  They sell cars all around the world, and are one of the top 356 tribute car manufacturers.

http://www.intermeccanica.com/

They build both Speedsters and Roadsters, and you might find what you like there.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/...th/72157627156721629

Again, I can't thank all of you enough for your comments and advise. It's a little sad because IMHO, based on what I found on the SAS website, their speedster would have been exactly what I was looking for in a daily use car. They've even figured out how to fix the leak problems (air/ rain ) between the side curtains and top cover With a power window! I think it's just a matter of a good builder with money management issues and not so much farsightedness. If I were them, I'd build a little production facility WITH MAYBE 20 or 30 staff that could produce 20/30 cars a year and then really see the money roll in. Either way, I don't know much about these thing. Just want a reliable, fairly up to date car that I've always wanted that will stay with me for another 20 or 30 years... Thanks again guys!

I've been suckered into fancy websites before.  Any decent webmaster & marketing dept. can make you feel like you a hit a home run. Check out the builders mentioned here, those with experience exporting into foreign lands would be a plus.  BTW; not sure what country of the Middle East your located.  But some have very restrictive import regs. surrounding autos.

Search, here, sometime ago there was a car shown, and details listed,  it had to be shipped back to the states, as the particular country would allow it in.  As I recall it was an expensive build of the first 356.

Shaun,  I am relatively new to this madness and I'd like to make a comment or two.   First giving SAS any credit at this point given what is public knowledge is generous indeed. "A little sad"? for sure.  This SAS stuff has been discussed and pretty much beat to death on other threads and if you are interested you can read all or none of it as you are interested.  

Now on to what might be more practical information.  You are talking about (from what I can ascertain) using a speedster as a daily driver.   At the very least you need to drive one maybe more then one before decide if that's realistic.    I am sure that the IM cars are probably as close to what I would be able to use as a daily driver but I also wouldn't drive a $75,000 plus sports car daily no matter who built it.  

We talk about these cars and I believe the majority of us consider them to be more or less big boys toys and not very practical at all.  And there are exceptions to any general statement but for the most part.... 

I just don't want you to be disappointed (as I was) with respect to the practical aspects of speedster replica ownership.    I've got a JPS coupe and while it's a hard top car it's NOT a good choice at all for wet weather nor is it at least at this time completely sorted and reliable for daily use.   

These things are hobby cars.  Research the cars and talk to the individual builders and get as much information AND OPINIONS before building or buying a car.  Have realistic expectations and I'd suggest not planning on using it daily.  If it works out that you can use it daily that would be wonderful but very few do.   All the best and I'd be glad to talk with you off the forum any time about my individual experiences with my coupe.  

Shaun,

If you plan on a lot of "top up, air on" driving, I would recommend you spend some time in a speedster with the top up.  It's not a real pleasurable driver with the top up, very tight quarters and below average visibility.  You may want to go with a builder that provides a roadster version.  The roadster will provide more room and much better visibility in all directions.

TW

Roadster version = taller windshield and top and windup (usually power) glass side windows.  Speedster side curtains and "emergency top" just don't seal all that great.

If you want a dependable safe all weather "sporty" car daily driver, buy a Porsche Cayman or Boxster. For the same amount of money you will pay for a replica you can buy a very nice , low mileage used Porsche with no disappointments....or better yet a Miata !!!!

IMHO replicas are just toys, made for weekend drives in perfect weather and on rural low volume roads. More or less about the same as a motorcycle and almost as dangerous.  

wow, and people wonder how SAS stays in business?  this cannot be a legit inquiry.  Fishy.   You're telling us you're willing to wait 2++ years for a replica car and you live in another country?   Please contact me. I am selling the Golden Gate Bridge for cheap.

English this way too good to be from overseas

Shaun is in fact accessing this site from an address in UAE.

-=theron

Alan...Perhaps he is an expat?  

I think Shaun is legit and intelligent fellow, he did land here after all seeking advice.

If he takes advice, he'll prove that he can listen intelligently as well.

Some people actually can learn English, probably better than some in this country.

Hard to argue with your logic.   I agree.   I'll be curious about the new Miata.   The issue is there really isn't a market for a retro looking car.  Remember the PT Cruiser that was a hot ticket for a short time and it died rather as quickly as it came on.  An exact copy?  Who knows but due to government regulations it will not happen.   We're really very lucky to have at least a couple builders who are willing to put up with the BS and build them.  All things given we should be thanking them every day for giving it their best efforts.  AND I believe they are likely getting better all the time.  

For those of you wondering, I am in fact an expat living in the UAE and this was a legit inquiry. Yes Alan, I did learn English in school ( not in the US or Britain! )and Danny, Patience and diligence, like faith, remove mountains... 

Thank you again gentlemen.

Shaun,  You probably would be better off trying to moving that mountain then trying to get a car from SAS.   

Shaun... I tend to the assume the role of the devil's advocate a little too often cover all  angles. thank you Theron for checking out the  ISP

My wait time for my VS during the peak of the depression (2010) was the flight from Reno to LAX and taxi ride to Hawaiian Gardens. I now have 18k miles on it. Lots of sorting issues and quite a few upgrades but it is really fantastic now. 

I drive my toy every day...

Everybody gets a whack at this, right?

The man wants a water cooled Speedster type car to use as daily driver. The reputable builders hereabouts all build these: Beck/Special Edition, Vintage, JPS, Intermechanica.  I do not know very much about Vintage, but have seen many of these cars, and know lots of folks that have one, and they are pretty much to a man, happy.  Good value.  I drive  JPS, and while my experience is not perfect w/ the builder, it is a great looking  and driving car.  Again, a great value, all things considered.  Beck/Special Edition are exemplary in every way.  Very fine cars, creative engineering, and top notch service after the sale.  IM (Canadian firm) builds probably the very finest Speedster, and they do so in a bewildering array of options.  I believe IMs as done these days are the soundest, most thoroughly engineered and assembled cars, and you pay for that.  Maybe double what some of the other builders charge.  And then there is Seduction, and I have never seen one of these cars (hope to soon) and only know what I see/hear here.  I believe they are legit also, very proud of their work, and make some very fine looking cars with a little bit extra put in on the mechanicals.  Don't know about price, but they would be high-end, I think.  As for SAS, at this point I would run, not walk, as fast and as far away as possible from this enterprise.  I have seen some of the older builds, and they are  well done; many of these owners love their cars, and they suit their needs.  If you are bound and determined to have one of these, buy it used.  At least you will know it exists.

good luck, and pay attention to the notes made above about suitability as a daily driver.  Several folks here do that, but not many.  a Speedster in all sorts of weather is a bit rustic.  You have to have a very realistic expectation here abou all of that.  if you want a zippy rag top sports car with all the comforts of home, buy the Miata, Boxter, or BMW Z-something.  If you love the Speedster for what it is (we call this The Madness), then look carefully at the builders given high marks here, and decide.  We will welcome you with open arms -- indeed, it looks like we already have.

Kelly,

I don't think any water cooled cars are built at Vintage Speedsters.

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!

Thank goodness.  I had all but given up on a legitimate V10 speedster builder ever setting up shop.  Do you take PayPal?

TW