Visited Steve Lawling's company (Specialty Auto) Saturday

Doug - glad you had a pleasant visit to SAS to personally experience the cars he is putting out. There is no doubt about the quality of his vehicles, quality further manifested by the SOCers who have bought Steve's cars and proudly drive and display them. Each year these SAS SOCers (such as Nolan Scott, Charles Gardner, John Hallstrand) bring their cars to Carlisle where they always draw attention and admiring comments.

Drove up from Chattanooga to visit Steve's shop in Knoxville, TN this past Saturday. We dropped in unannounced, but Steve took time out of his busy work schedule to thoroughly explain his operations and the on-going development of his cars. He even took time to not only take me for a ride, but to my surprise, allowed me to drive a car as well. Wow. Impressive performance and handling. Blew away all my old preconceived notions about what driving a 356 replica would be like. I was very impressed with the build quality and attention to detail. Steve has succeeded in retaining the classic exterior 356 styling while hiding underneath a thoroughly modern high-performance sports car with every utopian convenience one could ask for. The emotional feel of driving any vehicle is subjective, but having owned six 356s over the years, I can honestly say Steve's cars have not lost that unique 356 driving sensation. You know what I'm talking about. To the contrary, the sensation is heightened due to the improved mid-engine handling, ergos, and the extraordinary performance provided by the Subi engine and drivetrain. Even the damned exhaust note sounded authentic! The cars aren't cheap but considering all you get for the price, they represent a REAL bargain in today's replica marketplace. Not sure I'd call Steve's cars "replicas". They are literally hand-built on a modern tube-frame platform completely unique and vastly improved over early replicas. Aesthetically the cars are stunning with superb build quality and period correct authenticity. Steve's "outside the box" thinking offers the timeless 356 beauty while simultaneously embracing modern technology, safety, reliablity, comfort, fuel efficiency, and high performance. A remarkable achievement. Steve's a great guy to talk to, open, accessible, and willing to share his vast knowledge and experience with you. I'd seriously consider one his cars, but be prepared to wait. The order list is long and Steve literally hand-builds every car. How refreshing in today's society to see someone who refuses to sacrifice quality for quantity.

Nolan, is Doug your cousin?

No, but I will put him on my Christmas card list!

Thanks guys. Guess I sounded like a walking promotional for SAS, but since I don't even own a 356 (replica or otherwise) at this point, surely you'll view my innocent opinions as objective and totally unbiased. BTW, just curious how long Steve's 904 "prototype" will be in the making? That car REALLY intrigues me!

Isn't that your car, Charles?

It is hard to believe that Vinny was left speechless. Is this the first time ever or is GERD messing with him?

Lane, yes, that seems to be the concensus of the SOC and I am certainly familiar with the build as are all of my adopted children. There is no specific schedule for the 904 GTS replica and it remains outside of the established SAS queue. As a developmental prototype, it has served SAS well in the evolution of some of its newer innovations. Now that the body shape has been refined, the next step may be to disassemble it for the fiberglass guy to reproduce the fiberglass components.

Hopefully, I will still be around when it is completed but I am sure there are others that would be interested. Tomorrow, I leave for Annapolis, MD for my 50th Class Reunion (1961). JFK spoke at my graduation - a long time ago. I will try and follow this thread while on the road from my notebook computer.

Vinny, say something!!!!!

I NEED A BEER IF VINCENT STARTS UP

No Charles, I seriously thought it was your car. THAT'S why I wanted you to adopt me. I'm so disappointed.

Did I say it WASN'T my car? Perhaps I was not clear ......

I just didn't know how to respond to Doug's original posting, I figured he was either related to Steve, or he was trying to bait me.
Either way, I'm outta here....

Give a call while you're here, Charles!
Check PM for my number.

Doug--many thanks for the report on your visit to Steve's place in Knoxville. I know that the cars we often see in our group are just sensational with every creature comfort you can imagine. Steve and his crew are first class folks---too bad he doesn't make 50 cars a year--I believe he could sell 'em all.

This is a great time to buy a Speedster replica---tough times= low prices and a lot of available cars.

Glad you dropped by.

Anyone know someone selling an SAS Speedster? I like the way the car is described. However, after doing a bit of research im not sure i want to deal with Steve or want to wait the wait it would take.

So anyone selling one?

Good luck Eric, we non-SAS owners sometime rip Steve a new one, but in reality he does build a hell of a tub, and I find it hard to believe that someone who waits the wait, will part with their jewel in short order...

I agree with Vince, as a SAS owner we usually get the first word of any SAS car being sold. I only know of two ever hitting the sales block, one on eBay which lasted only a few days and one by a widow clearing her husband's estate. Good luck in finding someone willing to sell theirs. In my case since it's insured for "Agreed Value" it's still worth what I paid for it 2 years ago. The only thing I can't get back is the 3 1/2 years I waited for it. If I were younger (I'm 72) I'd still buy another.

lol I was wondering why i dont see SAS's for sale. I guess making such a low volume and a strong fan base gets me that.

i guess at the end of the day i just want a speedster so ill suffer with VW power if i must. Unless you guys know a way to put an STI motor in the rear hatch of an average speedster speedster

The wait is not that long but it may cost a bit, Intermeccanica is currently building a beautifully spec'd out Subaru powered Roadster. A Subie speedster is not that different.

ERIC COME TO THE PISMO EVENT NEXT WEEK
U CAN SEE ALL THE BUILDERS CARS

"Pismo is a bit far of a drive to see a car show." is the nice version of what the lady of the house would say lol. I say whats 4 hours between friends?

Im checking out the Intermeccanica website. Whats the difference between a Roadster and a Speedster?

A roadster is a replica of a '59 Convertible D, the car that replaced the speedster. The windshield is higher, the top weather tight, and the seats cushier, without changing the body-style from the speedster (a cabriolet is different from the door sills back.

The difference is that the speedster looks more like a bad boy, especially with the top up- but in reality, the roadster is a far more usable car. Most speedster buyers go back and forth on the speedster/roadster question- the roadster guys never waiver.

Ultimate car? Intermeccanica roadster, Porsche 6 cyl- hands down.

At Erik "Pismo is a bit far of a drive to see a car show."

Trust me...This isn't your typical weekend car show!

Eric - for a visual reference of the windshield difference, here is a Roadster and Speedster side-by-side.

Rick Davis' IM Roadster next to a silver Speedster...

Nice pix my Brutha... Eric you wanna see some rides just keep looking here we will be doing some additional 1/2 day runs this summer too. So Cali is the place to be with the tubs in our hair and the wind in our butts!

Speedster "D" just down the street!

In the battle of Roadster V Speedster, just off looks alone its Speedster every time.

If you are buying these cars to be practical i think you should save your money for retirement or something.

Im from LA, i'll take the day off if it rains haha.