Robert -
In 1981, I saw an add for a fibreglass body kit of a 1934 Frazer Nash TT
Replica. This was intended to fit on a Beetle pan and use many of the
donor car components. After an interminable period, I received two large
boxes of green fibreglass pieces, one large box of black fibreglass pieces,
a frame extender and some emblems. Several phone calls to Buffalo, NY
later, I received an assembly manual for the model of F-N kit that
superceded the one that I got.
I acquired a donor vehicle ('69 bug) and enlisted a friend as
co-conspirator in this effort. After ten months of all the time we could
get away from our respective spouses, we had a running vehicle.
The process required "inventing" mounting brackets, chassis reinforcements
(the bug pan was narrowed and lengthened), firewall, seats, dash, complete
windscreen assembly (I wanted a folding windscreen) and gas tank. We then
had to purchase wheels (3.5 X 19 wires @ $250/each) and tires (5.00 X 19),
instruments, coil-over shocks and front-end lowering kit.
The engine (1500 cc, single port) became a 1835 cc dual-port with the
addition of 82 mm barrels and Mexican heads. A pair of 40 IDA Webers were
then mounted and a "hot street" cam installed.
Some top bows were fabricated and a top made by a local custom top shop.
After the engine blew up due to the cam lobes not being hardened (just keep
adjusting!), the crank was replaced with a nitrided, counter-weighted item
with an aluminum flywheel. The gearbox was set up with close-ratio 3rd and
4th gears and top gear welded to the shaft.
In 1998, I started running the car in SCCA SOLO II autocross events. The
Model A Ford tires weren't much good, so I got a set of newly
re-manufactured Dunlop Racing tires.
The car is a ton of fun.
Interesting people ask for rides.
The project is never done.
regards,
Clay L.
'67 Sprite
I have not personally done a kit car, but my good friend Chuck has and I
>have beenaround a lot during it's construction (helped a little too). I
>have also seen and talked to others. For starters, they are NOT for the
>faint hearted, You expect that everthing is just made to bolt together, but
>it's NOT SO. You either need a FAT checkbook or have ALL the automtive
>building skills from welding to bodywork. Have him talk to other people
>who've built the same car (whatever he picks) BEFORE he invests any money.
>My friend Chuck has been building his Ginetta for coming up on 4 years and
>he has BOTH the checkbook AND the skills. It's still not done as there are
>constantly problems that need to be solved or waiting for parts or someone
>else's skill time.
>
>See pix here:
>
>http://www.gerardsgarage.com/GarageContent/Chucks_Ginetta.htm
>
>The shop where my '68 is being painted has a photos of a project they did
>of a kit reproduction of the James Dean car, a 550 Spyder (fiberglass). I
>can see if I can find out more about who distributes the kit if you're
>interested.
>
>Gerard
>
>At 10:45 AM -0400 9/21/02, RBHouston@aol.com wrote:
> >Anybody done a kit car or know anyone that has that can help my friend?
> >
> >AJ...I have forwarded your message to the AH Sprite/MG Midget groups I am on
> >the internet with...hey have a wide knowlege of almost anything car
> >related...perhaps they can help. I've looked at the Speedster kits myself,
> >and with brank new VWs available in Juarez, you could have a practically new
> >car!
> >
> >Robert Houston
> >
> >
> >In a message dated 9/20/02 6:56:53 PM Mountain Daylight Time,
> >argelion@epcc.edu writes:
> >
> >
> >> Hello Robert
> >> The Buick looks good (I say you should get it) Don't tell Michele I said
> >> that though. I was writing to you because Michelle said you were into old
> >> cars. Well for a long time I have been looking into getting a VW or a Kit
> >> Car. I have been looking for a VW Bug a 50s - 69 model (convertible) that
> >> I could fix up (still looking). I have also been looking into building a
> >> Kit Car (a Porsche speedster 357 or 50s model). I have been doing some
> >> research on the kit cars but can't find a newsgroup or a good source
> of any
> >> kind of where I can get a good complete KIT Car. Well I was just
> wondering
> >> with your car collection contacts maybe you can give some insight or help
> >> of where I can find one of these project cars. I am not looking for a
> >> completed restored one unless its at a decent prices but mostly want
> >> something I can work on.
> >> Here is a link to some of the best sites I have seen that show what I want
> >> (Porsche kits)
> >> http://www.kitcar.com/vintage/home.html
> >> http://www.kitcar.com/
> >> Thank you
> >> AJ
> >> PS this is my home email address ajnavarro@sbcglobal.net
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >Robert Houston
> >
> >There is no better tonic for the heart than making a child smile.
>
>Search for Low Airfares, Great Hotel Deals,
>Car Rental Discounts and Vacations and Cruises
>http://partner.onetravel.com/go/go.cfm?GoID=32421
>
>
>G G Gerard Chateauvieux
> E A
> R R pixelsmith@gerardsgarage.com
> A A
> R G Pixelsmith on Duty
> D E
> S http://www.gerardsgarage.com
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