One of the worst. I should know I owned one.
Middle of the road for me, IE I will own one at some point.
Would do unspeakable things to own.
One of the worst. I should know I owned one.
Middle of the road for me, IE I will own one at some point.
Would do unspeakable things to own.
Jim Pettengill wrote: Couple of fast comments: 1) VW-based kits weren't bad if you used the late chassis with the IRS and ball joint front end.
With the trailing arm front end and swing axles, though, they look like the handling would be pretty scary. I was just helping my co-worker pull the engine out of the Invader mentioned earlier, and thought, "That looks like it would be pretty entertaining with a Subaru motor in there." But you'd either have to use the Colin Chapman "any suspension will work if you don't let it" approach, or put some rally tires on it and take it off road.
Hmmmm.... what rallycross class would an Invader GT with a Subaru motor end up in, anyway?
mad_machine wrote:mattmacklind wrote: Actually, even though its another Cobra and the ride height is a little off, the Cal-Ace wasn't too bad all things considered:I see an MGB in drag
It looks like, and even its name suggests it is a replica of the AC Ace. Not a cobra.
Here is a whole list of kit names- I haven't had a chance to look them all up, but some of them are crazy!
http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/content/history/lrg/003s.jpg
stroker wrote:Zomby Woof wrote:Is there enough headroom for your fez?I would drive that.
Fez my butt. I be wearin' this bad boy drivin' that thing
In reply to Zomby Woof:
You be stylin', bro! Don't forget your platforms with the goldfish! 
At the expense of dating myself, didn't the Banana Splits have a ride like that?
Zomby Woof wrote:stroker wrote:Fez my butt. I be wearin' this bad boy drivin' that thingZomby Woof wrote:Is there enough headroom for your fez?
mattmacklind wrote:
This one was originally featured in the March 1974 issue of Popular Mechanics: http://books.google.com/books?id=ddQDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false I remember reading the article.
stuart in mn wrote:mattmacklind wrote:This one was originally featured in the March 1974 issue of Popular Mechanics: http://books.google.com/books?id=ddQDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false I remember reading the article.
I'm going to have to go back and read that entire magazine!
Woody wrote:stuart in mn wrote:I'm going to have to go back and read that entire magazine!mattmacklind wrote:This one was originally featured in the March 1974 issue of Popular Mechanics: http://books.google.com/books?id=ddQDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false I remember reading the article.
I did- it's worth it!
Can you spot the Camel smoker?
Times weren't all that different then- big three making smaller vehicles, alternative fuel sources (cow poo!) and fuel economy.
There was even a brief write up on an AMC Gremlin race car. Good stuff!
MadScientistMatt wrote:Jim Pettengill wrote: Couple of fast comments: 1) VW-based kits weren't bad if you used the late chassis with the IRS and ball joint front end.With the trailing arm front end and swing axles, though, they look like the handling would be pretty scary. I was just helping my co-worker pull the engine out of the Invader mentioned earlier, and thought, "That looks like it would be pretty entertaining with a Subaru motor in there." But you'd either have to use the Colin Chapman "any suspension will work if you don't let it" approach, or put some rally tires on it and take it off road. Hmmmm.... what rallycross class would an Invader GT with a Subaru motor end up in, anyway?
that suspension worked for Porsche
Woody wrote: I'm going to have to go back and read that entire magazine!
You'll notice in that link Google has every issue of Popular Mechanics back to 1900 online - for additional reading pleasure they also have every issue of Popular Science going back to 1872. http://books.google.com/books?id=iigDAAAAMBAJ&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0_0#all_issues_anchor
stuart in mn wrote:Woody wrote: I'm going to have to go back and read that entire magazine!You'll notice in that link Google has every issue of Popular Mechanics back to 1900 online - for additional reading pleasure they also have every issue of Popular Science going back to 1872. http://books.google.com/books?id=iigDAAAAMBAJ&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0_0#all_issues_anchor
You mean that I can find the issue with the plans for building a Fender Telecaster?!
From this book I learned of one of the better kit cars made (off Pinto mechanicals no less):
The Blakely Bearcat:
In reply to vwcorvette:
The movie version looks cooler. 
Woody wrote: You mean that I can find the issue with the plans for building a Fender Telecaster?!
Popular Mechanics, September 1990, page 43. http://books.google.com/books?id=0uQDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
carguy123 wrote: For worst kit, it would be anything with a VW chassis & suspension. They gave kit cars such a bad reputation that even today people sneer at a kit car. I think a kit car could and should be better than a factory offering, but the VW based ones were so bad that the whole genre still has a black eye.
not sure I agree with you, didn't Thomas Crown's dune buggy originate from a beetle floor plan??????
stuart in mn wrote:Woody wrote: You mean that I can find the issue with the plans for building a Fender Telecaster?!Popular Mechanics, September 1990, page 43. http://books.google.com/books?id=0uQDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Cool article!
I love these old magazines. "Dick Steel, a carpenter, has never taken a sick day. Neither has his Skil Saw."
Marauder was a local kit car company back in the 70's-80's. I clearly remember driving past with my parents, but them never stopping to take a look.
After some of the drama that happened when the company closed, it probably was a good thing.
oldtin wrote:
It looks like a bad F40 and an Enzo combination. Its like Kate Upton and Brad Pitt had a baby and it came out looking like one of Danny DeVitos chins.
On the good side (I know we've talked about this before because I've been obsessed with it ever since) Jon Olssons Rebellion RK1.
It's so magical.
Fiberfab Aztec 7.
Hard to believe it came from the same people who made the Jamaican.
Speaking of fiberfab:
I lusted after this from those same adds in the old magazines...still do!
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