Project Description
RCH Automotive
RCH Automotive is a company specializing in the continuation of classic 356 and 550 models. The cars are hand-crafted in the company’s factory in the northern town of Katerini, Greece. No use of ready kits. It’s all just talent, knowledge and hard work producing 2 cars per month, all with exceptional build quality and high end materials. We are distributor of all their models and are based in Luxembourg.
RCH 356 (starting from 60.000€)
Genesis. The 356 by RCH Automotive represents timeless beauty. Based on a strengthened Volkswagen chassis the whole car is built to your specs. From choice of colors to engine size and suspension setup, your 356 will be unique.
| Body | Constructed of laminated fiberglass which prevents rust and bonded to an additional inner chassis frame for more stability. |
| Chassis | Volkswagen chassis, sandblasted, polyurethane primed and painted. Soundproofing treatment. |
| Gearbox | 4 or 5 speed depending on customer requirements & engine spec. |
| Front suspension | Handmade front axle with wishbones, externally adjustable suspension, steering, wishbones. |
| Rear suspension | VW IRS or swing axle with gas shock absorbers. Optional rear anti-roll bar. |
| Engine | Rebuilt with 100% new parts and unleaded heads. Complete new engines available on request. Flat 4 air-cooled VW Type 1 or Type 4 with single or double carburetors. 1600cc/60PS 1776cc/90PS 1915cc/105PS 2275cc/150PS 2332cc/170PS 2700cc/200PS All engines can be supplied with fuel injection instead of cars (optional extra). |
| Front brakes | Disc brakes Depending on power with 278-298mm rotors with VW 2, TAROX 6 or Porsche 4 piston calipers. |
| Rear brakes | Depending on power standard VW Beetle brake drums or disc brakes with 262mm rotors. |
| Wheels | Type: Steel chrome with hub caps. Size: 5 1/2 x 15 Tires: 175/65/15 or 185/65/15 |
| Delivery time | Depending on model 12 to 24 weeks. |
| Warranties | Rust: 15 years Exterior color: 3 years Mechanical parts, engine & transmission: 1 year Leather interior: 3 years Fiberglass body: lifetime of the car |
RCH 356 Wide Body (starting from 100.000€)
Make it wider. Make it meaner. The 356 Wide Body is RCH Automotive’s take on an outlaw 356.
| Body | Constructed of laminated fiberglass which prevents rust and bonded to an additional inner chassis frame for more stability. |
| Chassis | Volkswagen chassis, sandblasted, polyurethane primed and painted. Soundproofing treatment. |
| Gearbox | 4 or 5 speed depending on customer requirements & engine spec. |
| Front suspension | Handmade front axle with wishbones, externally adjustable suspension, wishbones, steering rack. |
| Rear suspension | VW IRS, adjustable bump and rebound shock absorbers. Optional racing technology. |
| Engine | Rebuilt with 100% new parts and unleaded heads. Complete new engines available on request. Flat 4 air-cooled VW Type 1 or Type 4 double carburettor. 2275cc/150PS 2332cc/170PS 2700cc/200PS 2900cc/250PS All engines can be supplied with fuel injection instead of cars (optional extra). |
| Front brakes | Disc brakes Depending on power with 278-298mm rotors with VW 2, TAROX 6 or Porsche 4 piston calipers. |
| Rear brakes | Disc brakes with 262mm rotors. |
| Wheels | Type: Alloy, Porsche Fuchs style. Size: Front 7 1/2 x 17, Rear 9 x 17 Tires: Front 215/45/17, Rear 255/40/17 |
| Delivery time | Depending on model 12 to 24 weeks. |
| Warranties | Rust: 15 years Exterior color: 3 years Mechanical parts, engine & transmission: 1 year Leather interior: 3 years Fiberglass body: lifetime of the car |
RCH 550 (starting from 105.000€)
The 550 by RCH Automotive is the most exclusive and most hardcore RCH to date. A true performance machine with matching style. The 550 is built on a tubular frame chassis and comes with serious gear from fully adjustable racing suspension to a fuel injected 2.9L engine and big disc brakes if your heart so desires.
| Body | Constructed of laminated fiberglass with riveted stainless steel interior. |
| Chassis | Tubular frame chassis. |
| Gearbox | 4 or 5 speed depending on customer requirements & engine spec. |
| Front suspension | Bespoke front axle with wishbones, externally adjustable suspension, 22cm sway bar. |
| Rear suspension | Independent, reinforced. Gas springs, height adjustable racing suspension. |
| Engine | Rebuilt with 100% new parts and unleaded heads. Complete new engines available on request. Flat 4 air-cooled VW Type 1 or Type 4 double carburettor. 2275cc/150PS 2332cc/170PS 2700cc/200PS 2900cc/250PS All engines can be supplied with fuel injection instead of cars (optional extra). |
| Front brakes | Disc brakes Depending on power with 278mm rotors with VW 2 or TAROX 6 piston calipers. |
| Rear brakes | Disc brakes with 262mm rotors. |
| Wheels | Type: Steel painted or chrome with 5 x 205 stud pattern. Size: 5 1/2 x 15″ Tires: Front 185/65/15, Rear 195/60/15 |
| Delivery time | 20 to 28 weeks. |
| Warranties | Rust: 15 years Exterior color: 3 years Mechanical parts, engine & transmission: 1 year Leather interior: 3 years Fiberglass body: lifetime of the car |
What we like
Handcrafted by professional coach builders
Customizable to fit your lifestyle and your budget
Unrivaled quality. Really. It is mesmerizing.
100% made in Europe
At the wheel, you feel like James Dean
RCH Automotive owner Ilias Gaganelis grew up in Germany and studied automotive engineering. He started RCH Automotive in 2008 in the midst of the financial crisis. He is a fighter and has made his company a fantastic success.
We like what RCH Automotive is doing so much that we actually bought an RCH 356 to join our fleet for Club use. We’ve had it since April 2016 and are impressed by its reliability after almost 15.000kms of use. It goes by the sweet name of Cathie and can be seen at our Clubhouse on appointment.
We are not the only ones loving the work of RCH Automotive. Discover what 4legend.com has to say about them (article in French):
Where to buy
RCH Automotive produces less than 30 cars per year. RCH cars are nothing like the “budget replica kit cars” from the overseas. Each car is built bespoke to the new owner’s taste and requirements and is made out of the best materials using european craftsmanship. Performance parts, exquisite leathers, tuned engines; the process of designing your very own RCH 356 or 550 is a fascinating and rewarding experience even long before driving it the first time.
Owning an RCH is a privilege as their cars are sold to a pretty tight circle of connoisseurs. So how do you get “in”, we hear you say? The Car’tell has been chosen as a valued partner, which means that you can order one through us and we will accompany you in each and every step from design to delivery.
Prices start at just over 60.000€ for the base 356 with 1600cc engine. You will benefit from the best possible price anywhere in Europe. This is because we are based in Luxembourg and you will benefit from the lowest VAT rate in Europe. Only 17%. This saves thousands of euros on your purchase.
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